JotCast | Prospective Graduate Student Chat, January 23, 2020

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Casey

10:26

Okay, thank you Will.

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:28

You're welcome, Casey.

Khalid Alharbi

10:26

Hi Will, Thanks for your time. I have a question regarding the master programs that ESE department offering. I want to apply to MSE in Electrical Engineering but I want to select some courses which are offered under the Robotics program such as Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. Could I do that?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:30

Khalid, each course allows for a certain number of electives. You'd work with the Program Coodinator for your program and your academic advisor to select the electives. In this instance, it would be possible to take courses that are in the Robotics program, if your advisors agree that it's a good decision. But electives are determined on a per-student basis, unless the program has a specific list of electives to choose from. Even then, you can still attempt to take others - you just have to persuade your advisors that it's the right course for your educational path.

Michael

10:30

Hi Will, for the Robotics M.S.E does UPenn provide co-op programs ( internships).

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:31

Michael, no, the program doesn't provide internships. None of our master's programs do. However, we do have a robust Career Services office that can assist you with finding and applying for internships.

Leo

10:30

Thank you Will! Have a good one!

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:31

You're welcome, Leo. You too!

Guest

10:30

Hi Will!

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:31

Hi guest.

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:31

Have you submitted your application?

Yes (11.1% | 1 vote)

Started it, but haven't submitted it (77.8% | 7 votes)

Not yet (11.1% | 1 vote)

I'm weighing all of my educational options (0% | 0 votes)

Total Votes: 9

Sanchit

10:31

Thanks Will!
I have graduated from a dual degree program, with B.Tech in Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering and M.Tech in Applied Mechanics from IIT Madras. Page no. 4 has field asking about degree level. There are no options suitable for dual degree. Please suggest me the best option which I should choose in these fields.

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:33

Sanchit, you have two degrees so we would ask that you enter the information for each program. You can also upload the same unofficial transcripts for both, in the case that all of our courses for both degrees are listed on them. You can enter your master's degree first and your bachelor's degree second.

samartha

10:35

Hi Will, thank you for your time.

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:35

Samartha, you're welcome.

Sanchit

10:35

Awesome. This would work Will!

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:36

Glad to know, Sanchit. You're welcome.

Michael

10:35

Thank you Will.

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:36

You're welcome, Michael

Jing

10:35

Hi Will, just want to amke sure-if i spend 2 years in university in america and achieved a degree. I would like to apply for MSE in data science, do i need to submit my TOEFL?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:36

Jing, if you graduated from the US institution, you do not need to submit a TOEFL.

Sanchit

10:36

One doubt! Since it was a dual degree, my CGPA was calculated for 5 years. I did not get individual CGPA for Bachelor's and Master's. Should I mention the same CGPA in both?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:36

Yes, that will be fine.

Jing

10:37

Thanks a lot!

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:37

You're welcome, Jing.

Sanchit

10:37

Okay Will. Another query.
Page no. 4 has field asking about Research Experience. I am quite confused about what all should I count for this. I have worked on different projects during my undergraduate. Should I count all of them in this regard? In addition, I have been working at my current firm from past 3.5 years. My profile is associated with research and product development of underwater vehicles. Should I add this experience as well?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:39

Sanchit, this should reflect months of research experience as an undergraduate, inclusive of part-time research during the school year and summer research, and following college, for example as part of a previous graduate program or as an employee. If you have been working and doing research as part of a full-time job, that should be listed on the employment section.

Khalid Alharbi

10:39

Thanks for your answer, Will. For students attending UPenn, is it allowed and easy to change the program major?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:40

Khalid, you can apply to transfer to a different master's program once during your time here, and you must wait until you have completed at least one semester in good academic standing before applying.

samartha

10:40

Hi Will, I just wanted to know whether I can submit my ielts scores online? The application asks us to confirm whether we have submitted scores online but the requirements mentioned in the website state that electronic scores are not currently accepted

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:40

Samartha, unfortunately we do not accept electronic IELTS scores at this time. You will need to have the official scores mailed to our office.

10:41

They should be sent here:
Graduate Admissions
Research and Academic Services
School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania
220 S. 33rd Street, Ste. 109 Towne Building, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Gaurav Prabhakar

10:41

Also my Final Year Project was divided over the entirety of 2 semesters, so how many months should I mention?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:42

Well, how many months was that? If it was 6, then you could list 6.

Sejal

10:42

Hi! I am applying for Masters in Materials Science and Engineering. Is it possible to jump for a PhD after the first year of Masters?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:43

Sejal, you must formally apply to the PhD program. It is very rare that first year master's students are able to begin the PhD program without completing the master's program, but it can be done.

Sanchit

10:43

I am sorry Will, didn't understand your reply fully. So, as I understood, I do not have to count the months of research as part of full-time job under 'Research Experience'. Am I correct? Please correct me if I am wrong

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:45

Sanchit, if the research you've done at your firm, as you put it, is a job - that should be listed on the employment experience section. However, you can count it as research experience in terms of how long you've been doing research. If it is part of your academic experience, then it should only be counted as research experience and should not be listed in the employment section. Does that make more sense?

samartha

10:43

The official ielts scores should be mailed now or after further processes?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:45

We ask that they be sent to us after you submit your application if you have not already done so.

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