JotCast | Prospective Graduate Student Chat, Oct 24, 2019

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Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:56

Guest, last year it was approx 9%

Shaun

10:54

Ok. Thanks.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:56

Where would you plan to live?

On campus (36.4% | 4 votes)

Off campus, but near UPenn (27.3% | 3 votes)

Off campus in West Philadelphia/University City (9.1% | 1 vote)

Off campus in Center City/Downtown (9.1% | 1 vote)

I have no idea, help! (18.2% | 2 votes)

Total Votes: 11

Junhan Xu

10:56

I also have a question about the TOEFL section on the application. I have taken the TOEFL test about five years ago and the test score is no longer valid. I noticed that we could waive the TOEFL if we complete out undergraduate in US. But should we still check the "Yes" button at the question "Have you taken TOEFL"?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:57

Junhan, it's up to you. You don't have to if believe youi'd qualify for a TOEFL waiver, as we wouldn't require your scores in that case.

Zehui

10:56

Is it okay to apply to both of the Scientific computing and the MCIT program in the early round? Also, do I need to submit separate GRE scores for those two programs?
Thank you!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:57

Zehui, yes it is ok. And you don't need to submit the official scores more than once.

Gaurav

10:57

Will, Also, Do I need to have a prior experience or projects related to data science for applying to the graduate program in Data science or it would not affect my chances of getting an offer of acceptance if I have the experience of comuter science but not specifically in the field of data science?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:58

Gaurav, this is just one area that we look at, so it would not necessarily negatively affect your application. We review the entire application as a whole, so it is rare that one specific piece would qualify/disqualify you from the program.

Yitong Dai

10:57

As a PhD applicant, I wonder what’s the best way to figure out the faculty member that I am aiming for is looking for PhD students or not?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:59

Yitong, if they're listed on the Advisor drop-down list, it's a good bet that they're looking to have PhD students next year. You can also email them as well.

Junhan Xu

10:58

Hi, still a short question, for the personal statement, the requirement is 1-2 pages. I'm wondering whether you prefer single-space or double-space.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:59

Junhan, we prefer double-spaced, but it's up to you and how much space you require to submit your best personal statement.

Kwangmin Lee

10:58

Do I need two letters of recommendation for PhD program of mechanical engineering??

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:00

Yes, we require two letters for all PhD programs, except CIS, which requires 3.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:01

Have you been to UPenn or Philadelphia?

Yes, I live here (0% | 0 votes)

Yes, both (0% | 0 votes)

Philadelphia, but not UPenn (0% | 0 votes)

The US, but not Philadelphia (60% | 3 votes)

I've never been to the US (40% | 2 votes)

Total Votes: 5

Sirawich Tippawanich

11:01

Have the faculty's graduate students in the past preferred certain format of accommodation? For example, an on-campus residence that is preferred by those in a certain groups of programs due to its location and commute?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:02

Sirawich, there are so many factors that go into where once chooses to live, there's no correct answer to your question. I can say the majority live off campus, if only because there's limited housing for graduate students on campus.

Gaurav

11:01

As you mentioned earlier scholarships and tuition fee waiver is not provided to graduate students. Aren't they considered for TA positions too? If yes, then is it offered at the time of admission?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:03

This is specifically for master's students; we do fully fund PhD students. Master's students can apply for a TA/RA position after they've complete at least one semester in good academic standing.

Junhan Xu

11:01

Will we receive a confirmation after the recommender send the letter or the gre score is sent to the school?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:04

Junhan, we have a checklist that you'll be able to access after you submit your application that you can use to track these.

Kwangmin Lee

11:01

Thank you for your replying. It is really helpful to apply on Upenn graduate program.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:04

You're welcome!

Yitong Dai

11:03

Thanks for answering my question, so is the advisor drop list the same as the faculty list of a given department, or it’s something different?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:05

Yitong, it's available once you've selected the program you tend to apply to on the application. It is different than the faculty list, since not all faculty are looking for PhDs every year.

Yiyang

11:03

Hi Will, for the MSE in CS program, on the website it says we need to submit at least two recommendation letters and the third one is optional. Would you still recommend us to submit three letters? Also, if I enter three recommenders in the system, do they all have to submit their letters in order for the application to be complete or only two of them submitting is enough?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:06

Yiyang, it is up to you to include 3 recommenders, but if you have 3 people you believe will be great references, then why not? Also, we will only require two to be submitted by the deadline for your application to be reviewed. If you have 3, but only 2 are submitted it won't negatively affect your application.

Junhan Xu

11:03

What specific fellowships and awards can be written in that section? Does Dean's list count or maybe any published paper?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:07

Junhan, it's any fellowships or awards. Dean's list - yes. Published paper - no; this should be on the CV/resume.

Gaurav

11:03

What special opportunities do the university offers that I can take advantage of? Like co-op for industrial experience or any other unique facility provided by the computer engineering department of the university that you would like to mention?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:08

Gaurav, the "special opportunities," are access to our world-class faculty, research and recruitment opportunities, as well as the alumni network, just to start.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:03

These are the last questions I'm answering folks, since we're already over time. Thanks for submitting the questions and we'll be back here next Thurs!

Junhan Xu

11:04

Thank you so much Will, you perfectly answered all my questions!

Gaurav

11:08

Thanks Will. You helped a lot!

Ivy

11:08

Thank you for your time, Will. This was very helpful.

Sirawich Tippawanich

11:08

Thank you for your time in answering and addressing our questions.

Yitong Dai

11:08

I see, thank you very much!

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