JotCast | Prospective Graduate Student Chat, Nov 7, 2019

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Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:28

Hi Sohail!

Anushka

10:22

Hi Will, I am interested in applying for MS in CIS. I have read on your website that an applicant's undergraduate coursework should be similar to the courses taken by computer science undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania. However, there are some courses which are not covered in my undergrad coursework as compared to that of UPenn's undergrad coursework. Would this pose as a problem in my application? Can I take up additional online courses to make up for this?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:29

Anushka, you can email Mike Felker, the CIS Program Coordinator, at mfelker@cis.upenn.edu, about this. But we understand that not all curriculum's look like UPenns.

Chinmay

10:24

Hi Will, does links to upload recommendation letters would be sent after we complete an application and pay the fees or will be posted before and then we have to pay admission fee.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:30

Chinmay, it is sent whenever you hit the link that says "submit recommendation request" or you submit the entire application, which includes paying the fee. Whichever happens first.

Darren

10:25

Who reads my application when I apply?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:31

Hi Darren. We have two specialists that will review it to make sure all materials are complete. Then it is sent to the departments, where it is reviewed by faculty and staff. Depending on the program it may be looked at my a faculty committee and/or post-doctoral students or just a couple of faculty members.

Kira

10:25

Hi, I read the comment about recommendation posted by Brandon, he said that 2 letters should be from professions, but I think on the website it says "Two [2] official Letters of Recommendation – one must be from a faculty member who is familiar with the candidate’s scholarly abilities." Isn't that only 1 letter from professor is required?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:32

Kira, yes, we only require 1 letter to be from faculty, but you two letters are required for all applications, except for the CIS PhD program, which requires 3.

Sohail Monga

10:25

Is it true that the admissions com. emphasize more on the last 60 credits of your transcript ? And since I took 18 credits in last two semesters (currently taking 18 now), and I will have to take 6 more in my last (next semester), will this make any difference? Since I did bad (due to mental health problems tbh) during my initial years, but I picked up from my second half of 120 credits (upper courses..)

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:33

Sohail, I believe that the entire transcript is examined, and courses that relate to the specific program to which you've applied are looked at closer. But there is nothing that I can tell you about "the last 60 credits of your transcript." This is often when students take their more focused courses, so in that sense it would potentially be true.

Ramandika

10:26

Hello Mr Fenton, I would like to ask a question about early and late application deadline ? Will the applicant join the same class year? Is it possible to apply for both? Thanks before

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:34

Ramandika, no, you can only submit an application once per academic term. Since both deadlines are for the Fall 2020 term, you can't submit for the same program for both the early deadline and, if rejected, for the regular deadline as well.

Brandon

10:26

Hi Will, I have been out of school for 9 years, but have been taking undergraduate courses part-time to prepare for the MEAM program but most of these classes have been online. It has been 9 years since I was a traditional undergrad but have been taking some part-time courses recently. Does this mean that I will be required to submit 2 letters of recommendation from professors? Thanks for the help and you are doing a great job getting to all of these questions so quickly!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:35

Brandon, as I said, the requirement is if you've been out for less than 5 years. If you've been out for 9, it's fine to have 2 that are not from academic sources.

And thanks!

Shrihan

10:27

1. How would I need to indicate on my application before Nov 15 that I haven't taken my gre and toefl yet?
2. Can I submit my application without the GRE and TOEFL? If yes, when is the latest I can update the unofficial scores with the 'edit once' option in the application

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:37

Shrihan, here are your answers:
1) We can't review your application for the early deadline as it won't be complete if you haven't taken the exams yet. We require at least the unofficial scores for it to be considered complete. 2) You can, but it won't be reviewed until we receive the scores (along with everything else). We indicate that on the website: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/

Srishti

10:28

Hi Will, the lack of research question was from me. Wanted to thank you and missed mentioning my name in the question. Thank you again!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:37

Shrishti, no worries. You're welcome!

Chinmay

10:31

Thank you, Will, for answering all our questions, I have one more doubt. Does financial status of a student impact. Admission decision at Upenn.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:37

Chinmay, we don't take financial status into account, for better or for worse.

mounica

10:31

thank you.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:38

You're welcome, Mounica.

Shaurya

10:31

Thank you for your response with respect to CertiFile.

Additionally, I wanted to know the following:
1. Are we required to add any information regarding academic background prior to our undergraduate program?
2. The application form mandates the entry of a city code in the preferred non-US telephone number. In case our phone number does not require a city code (i.e., mobile), is 0 a valid entry? What is the alternate, if not?
3. I have sent my TOEFL score to Dept Code (78, Computer Sciences). Will this affect anything, and am I required to resend my score?
4. For the MSE DS program, is there any specific requirement for more than one recommendation from our undergraduate faculty?
5. Are internships to be included under employment information? If yes, does that apply to only corporate internships or any?

Thank you!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:39

Shaurya, here are answers to your questions:
1) No, you're not.
2) O is fine. It would be very rare that we would call you, so if you have to make up a number to fill it in, that is fine. ;)
3) That is fine, you do not need to resend.
4) No, there is not.
5) We recommend you include internships on your cv/resume, but it does not need to be included in the employment history.

Darren

10:32

Can I apply to multiple programs? If so, what is the process?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:40

Darren, you can apply to multiple master's programs, but only one PhD program, per academic term. You must submit the first application before you can begin a 2nd one, but it will retain your personal information from one application to the next.

Shrihan

10:33

Can I enter up the worst case gre and toefl scores I'm expected to get for the early deadline? If I don't reach them, I can always retake the test. If not, what do you suggest.? I'm interested in getting into UPenn but couldn't give the exams due to some unforeseen circumstances.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:42

Shrihan, you cannot enter "expected scores." We require the unofficial scores that you get when you take the exam and are given them at the end of the exam, and you must also submit the official scores. You must take the exams by the application deadline. We will not consider applications without test scores or with "made up" scores. That would be falsifying information, and trust me, you don't want to do that.

mounica

10:33

should i upload consolidated official transcript or individual semester transcripts

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:42

Mounica, if you have the official transcript, please upload that.

Flora

10:34

Hi Will! I have already had two LoRs. And I still have a third recommendator but cannot submit it before deadline on Nov 15. So is it possible that my professor can still submit LoR after the deadline and be considered for my application? Thanks

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:43

Flora, that is fine. However, it will be up to the program to decide if they want to include the 3rd letter in the review, if they begin reviewing your application (if considered complete) before we receive the 3rd letter.

mounica

10:37

should i do transcripts evaluation at WES. will i be at disadvantage if i dont order it

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:43

Mounica, we don't require it and it will not detract from your application.

Shreya

10:37

Is a industrial work related LOR more valuable than the LOR from say, the head of the college?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:44

Shreya, it really depends on how they can speak to your skills and experiences. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide who can give you a better recommendation.

Darren

10:37

If I apply early, when can I expect to hear back?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:44

Darren, if it's for a program with an early review deadline, then Jan 15 or Feb 15. You can find that info here: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/

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