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Prospective Graduate Student Chat, Oct 31, 2019
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Mark Allen - Clemson University
10:10
Hi Will! I will applying for a PhD in the MEAMs department for Fall of next year. What are some things outside of my transcript and test scores that would make my application stand out?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:12
Hi Mark, the main thing you have to stand out is your Personal statement and your resume/cv. We recommend being able to answer these questions in your personal statement: 1) Why are you interested in the program? 2) What have you done that makes you a great candidate? 3) What do you hope to do when you are in the program? 4) What will you do/accomplish once you have completed the program?
cool 1
10:13
As for the CV, if you can show/emphasize research or teaching experience, both help a lot, as that's something that PhDs do quite a bit.
cool 1
Joanna
10:11
Hi Will, I had a couple of questions regarding applications to the MCIT program.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:13
Go right ahead, Joanna
Lakshana
10:11
Hi Will, I am currently in my 7th semester and my transcript contains details for courses taken only up to my 6th semester. In my application, where do I put the courses that I am currently taking?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:14
Lakshana, if your unofficial transcript doesn't show the courses you are currently taking, that's fine. However, we'd recommend that you submit an updated transcript once you get it, after you've submitted your application, if you'll be able to get one once the fall semester is completed.
Kushan
10:11
In the application, should I include internships pursued during my undergraduate studies as an 'Employment'?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:15
Kushan, you should not list it in employment unless you were paid and it was not for college/course credit. Otherwise you should list it on your resume/cv.
Joanna
10:11
1. I’ve taken the GRE but I would like to retake it. Unfortunately, there are no available dates in the UK before the app deadline. Is it possible to send additional scores once the deadline has passed?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:16
Joanna, I'm sorry, but we can't consider scores for exams taken after the application deadline.
Shounak Dutta
10:12
Thanks Will for that. The other thing I was unsure about was the standardized test scores. The application gives us an option to enter the unofficial scores, with a radio button prompt if we have requested for the scores to be sent to UPenn or not. So, does this mean there is an option to send the official scores after submitting the application?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:17
Shounak, if you have not submitted them prior to taking the application, we ask that you do so after you have submitted the application. We can begin application review with unofficial scores, but we ask you to send the official ones, so that we can confirm the unofficial scores as well.
Gaurav
10:12
My company doesn’t provide letter head for recommendation letters, the LOR would be considered inauthentic due to this reason?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:18
Gaurav, it would not, but we would recommend that the letter writer then print out the letter, sign-it , scan it back in and upload it. In addition, you can also email us at gradstudies@seas.upenn.edu and let us know that.
Anna
10:12
I have taken courses in that school, but the credits were not count for my main school. So my overall GPA did not include the grades I got in the exchange school. In this case, do I still need to submit the transcript from the exchange school? Thanks!
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:19
Anna, if the courses are not counted for your academic career, then you do not need to count them. However, if you are not sure, I would err on the side of caution and list them anyway.
Joanna
10:12
2. Are there any available guidelines concerning the personal statement for the On campus MCIT program? The online application only asks to upload a personal statement without any additional information
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:20
Joanna, there is guidance on our website;  it can be written to answer the following questions and we ask that you please provide detailed and specific examples from academia, industry or research when possible:
1) Why are you interested in the program? 2) What have you done that makes you a great candidate? 3) What do you hope to do when you are in the program? 4) What will you do/accomplish once you have completed the program?
Anna
10:13
I have got another question is about Certified Credentials Attachment Service. Only if my transcript is not in English, then I need to use Certified Credentials Attachment Service?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:21
Anna, this is optional, but if your transcript is not in English, it is one option to use, as we do require all transcripts, both unofficial and official to be in English.
Mike
10:14
Hi Will, I am a senior undergrad applying to the BE PhD program. For the application, do you recommend that I keep the resume at 1 page, or is it possible that it can have more than 1 page for it? Thank you.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:21
Hi Mike, it's up to you and what you believe is the best way to present your experience and qualifications.
Bryant Kuehner
10:14
Good morning again Will! How large are the cohorts for the MSE in Data Science typically?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:22
Hi Bryant, They are usually between 35-40 people.
Gaurav
10:15
Thanks for the info Will. What is the minimum GPA on a 10 point scale required for admission to computer science graduate program?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:22
Gaurav, we don't have a minimum GPA requirement.
Utkarsh
10:15
Good morning, Will! Hope you're geared up for the chilly weather this weekend.
If I apply to multiple programs, will my recommenders have to submit letters individually to each program, or would they only have to turn them in once for all programs?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:25
Hi Utkarsh! Thanks, I will be bundled up, since I have a bit of a cold. As for your question, we do not recommend reusing letters of rec. However, if you want to use the same letters for multiple applications, you will need to do 3 things: 1) Let your writers know, so that they can tailor their letter to be used for multiple programs, not just the one that it says you are applying to, and 2) On your 2nd (and other applications), Select “NO” for the question “Will this provider be submitting the letter of recommendation online?”. 3) Email us at gradstudies@seas.upenn.edu, letting us know that you want to reuse the letters of recommendation from your first application (and the program that it was submitted for) for your 2nd (and other) apps.
cool 2
Evelyn
10:16
Hi Will! I'm applying for bioengineering phd program. I'm wondering if there is any program that facilitates the collaboration with industry?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:26
Evelyn, a lot of your faculty collaborate with multiple industries, depending on their research and/or funding. Can you be more specific about the specific industry you have in mind?
You can also find out about the specific areas of research here: https://be.seas.upenn.edu/areas-of-focus/
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:16
Have you submitted your application?
Yes (0% | 0 votes)
 
Started it, but haven't submitted it (89.5% | 17 votes)
 
Not yet (10.5% | 2 votes)
 
I'm weighing all of my educational options (0% | 0 votes)
 
Total Votes: 19
Gaurav
10:17
Is there any webinar or information session or any event for graduate admissions planned in coming days?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:27
Gaurav, we don't do webinars for our programs at the moment. These online chats function as such for the time being.
Sohail Monga
10:18
Hello (Just testing out)
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:27
Hi Sohail!
Gaurav
10:18
Is CIS program a thesis based or coursework? If both options are available then do the university offers flexibility to the student to switch the option for thesis after the admission?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:28
Gaurav, the CIS master's program is coursework based, as our all of our master's program. Although they do offer the ability to do a thesis. You have the option to do a thesis by the end of your first year.
Kushan
10:20
The internships I pursued were research internships at universities (like NTU singapore). These are not for college credits. And yes, I was paid for them. So should I include this under the Employment section?
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