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Prospective Graduate Student Chat, Oct 31, 2019
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Lakshana
10:35
What if I have submitted my application, but the recommenders submit the recommendation beyond the deadline, Nov 15th?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:38
Lakshana, if we don't receive all application materials by the Nov 15 early date, for a program that is part of the early/regular decision period, then the application would get bumped to the March 15 application period.
Pratik
10:35
And does any volunteer work count as experience?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:38
Pratik, it would if the volunteer work is relevant to the program to which you are applying.
Bryant Kuehner
10:37
Are there many Penn staff members enrolled in any of the SEAS grad programs?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:38
Bryant, we don't keep a list of staff members enrolled, so I can't say.
Gaurav
10:38
Thanks Will for your advice on SOP. Does the admission panel considers GRE scores to eliminate and shortlist the applicants if the scores are below a certain level?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:39
Gaurav, we take a holistic approach to application review, so it is very rare that any one component of the application will result in a person being rejected.
Joanna
10:38
Thank you for all your help!
cool 1
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:39
Joanna, you're welcome!
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:40
Where would you plan to live?
On campus (71.4% | 5 votes)
 
Off campus, but near UPenn (0% | 0 votes)
 
Off campus in West Philadelphia/University City (0% | 0 votes)
 
Off campus in Center City/Downtown (0% | 0 votes)
 
I have no idea, help! (28.6% | 2 votes)
 
Total Votes: 7
Lakshana
10:42
If I have given the GRE twice and sent both the scores, will both the scores be considered?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:43
Lakshana, we'll take the highest scores from each test section and combine them for reviewing scores.
Gaurav
10:42
Is there a need-based application fee waiver provided by the university for MS program?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:44
Gaurav, we don't usually provide need-based fee waivers for master's applicants because we don't provide financial aid for master's students. If you can't afford an $80 application fee, it would be very hard to pay the yearly tuition listed here: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/paying-for-your-education/
Arth - Rutgers
10:44
Another quick question, if two recommenders submit their recommendations but the third one doesn't submit prior to the deadline, is the application still considered incomplete?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:45
Arth, this would only be considered incomplete if the program requires 3 letters, such as the CIS PhD. Otherwise as long as the requirement is met, it's fine.
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Mike
10:44
Hi Will. How many applications do you, on average, receive for the BE PhD program?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:46
Mike, we received 466 this past year.
Lakshana
10:45
If we get accepted by the early admit (on Nov 15th), how long will we have to accept/reject the offer?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:46
Lakshana, we ask that you respond by Feb 15.
But ultimately, you'd have until June 1, 2020.
Evelyn
10:46
Hi Will,
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:46
HI Evelyn.
Rohan
10:47
Sir, should the SOP focus only on the technical aspects? How much weightage should I give on my extra curricular activities? Further, should we mention thetechnical details of the projects in the SOP? or a brief would suffice?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:48
Rohan, no, we don't recommend the personal statement focus only on technical aspects. 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?
Guest
10:47
Hey! I am an international student but study BME at penn state. I want to apply for phd. I have a 3.8 and worked in research lab for 2 years and have poster and one publication. My concern is my verbal on GRE is a little low.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:49
Guest, we usually take a holistic approach to the application review, so one lower score in one area may not hurt your chances if you are outstanding in others.
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Gaurav
10:47
Is there no financial aid in tuition fee for MS prospective students? Even if the profile is good, are there any chances?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:49
Gaurav, we don't provide financial aid for masters students at all.
Evelyn
10:47
Hi Will, thanks for answering about the question of industry collaboration. I'm most interested in CAR-T therapy in UPenn, so is there on-going collaboration?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:50
Evelyn, I do believe we have faculty working in that area. However, I don't know if they will be looking for PhD students for next fall. I recommend you explore this page: https://be.seas.upenn.edu/areas-of-focus/
Kushan
10:48
If not accepted in the early admissions, will we be notified on 15 jan itself or considered among the rest of the applicants who applied for the regular deadline?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:50
Kushan, if you are not accepted you would be rejected, and yes, you would be notified.
Pragya Jaiswal
10:48
Hi Will! Is it okay if my resume is 2 pages long? I have a few years of work experience in the field of data science and I’m applying to the MSE Data Science program.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:51
Pragya, yes, that will be fine. As long as it is relevant experience, this is accepted.
Gaurav
10:50
Will, Should I include my relevant academic projects in SOP, as they are already mentioned in my resume, referring them again would be repetitive in your opinion?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:51
Gaurav, if it works in the flow you of your personal statement, it is fine to mention it again. However, if you are forcing it in just to mention it a second time, then perhaps it is not needed?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:52
Have you been to UPenn or Philadelphia?
Yes, I live here (0% | 0 votes)
 
Yes, both (42.9% | 3 votes)
 
Philadelphia, but not UPenn (14.3% | 1 vote)
 
The US, but not Philadelphia (0% | 0 votes)
 
I've never been to the US (42.9% | 3 votes)
 
Total Votes: 7
Gaurav
10:52
okay, Thanks will :)
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