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Enrolled Graduate Student Chat - June 12, 2019
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AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:00
Good day, all. My name is Will Fenton and I'm the Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions at Penn Engineering. I'm here to answer questions you may have about our Graduate Programs, life as a graduate student at Penn and living in Philadelphia.
Where do you live?
United States (22.2% | 2 votes)
 
China (22.2% | 2 votes)
 
India (44.4% | 4 votes)
 
Europe (0% | 0 votes)
 
Middle East (0% | 0 votes)
 
Another Region (11.1% | 1 vote)
 
Total Votes: 9
10:01
We'll also be joined by Miranda Stewart, the Coordinator for Graduate Housing, to answer questions about housing at UPenn.
Miranda Stewart
10:03
Hi folks! My name is Miranda Stewart, and I am the Graduate Assignments Coordinator in the Housing Assignments Office. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about on-campus housing!
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:08
Here are some links that you may find useful:
10:10
New Graduate Student Resources:
www.gsc.upenn.edu/thrive
New Graduate Student Orientation:
https://gsc.upenn.edu/resources/new-students/new-student-orientation
International Student Orientation
http://global.upenn.edu/isss/orientation
Discounted SEPTA Passes
http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/transportation/permits-passes/c...
2019-20 Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2192398867643008
2019-20 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12139062/
Saket
10:14
Hi. I have a question regarding off campus housing.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:14
Hi Saket, what's your question? We'll do our best to answer.
10:15
You can also find information about off-campus housing here: http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/residential-services/applicatio...
Guest
10:16
Hi Will, I will be joining ESE MSE program. I heard that a few other departments have sent in emails regarding course registration and advisors. I(and few others as well) haven't received any communication regarding the same from ESE department. Could you please help us with this?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:18
Hi Guest. I'm sorry to hear that. I'm assuming you emailed esegrad@seas.upenn.edu? I can reach out to the dept as well. Can you forward the email(s) you sent them to gradstudies@seas.upenn.edu? Then I can follow-up with the specific email and questions you've raised.
Sasi
10:16
Hey Will,
10:17
When would advisors be assigned to us by the department?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:18
Hi Sasi, it's up to each program as to when the advisors are assigned. Your best way to find this out will be by emailing your specific program. It's usually done later in the summer.
RobbieXYZ
10:18
Hi! I have a question regarding my Penn student ID. Until I officially receive an ID card after reaching the campus, what proof of student ID can I show for availing student discounts and extra baggage for airlines?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:20
Hi Robbie, that's a great question. You can of course ask the place that you're trying to get the discount, and I believe you can also print out a copy of your ID. You should be able to access that from here: https://prod.campusexpress.upenn.edu/index.jsp
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Miles
10:20
Hi, I have question regarding immunization record. Currently I don’t have Hepatitis B immunization which is required and I haven’t received Hepatitis B vaccines yet. I am wondering what should I do with the immunization records if I plan to receive the Hepatitis B vaccines since the due date for submitting the record is July 1st and what would happen if I couldn’t receive the full 3 doses before this fall semester because I didn’t have enough time? Thank you very much!
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:21
Hi Miles. That's a question you'll need to direct to Student Health Services, because I do not know the answer. You can find their info here: https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/compliance.php and their contact info here: https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/contact.php
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Saket
10:20
I am interested in an apartment on 45th Walnut street. Wanted to know if UPenn Security Patrols that area and its safe to live there?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:22
Saket, yes, UPenn police do patrol out there, as does the Philadelphia Police Dept and I do believe it is safe to live there. Many UPenn staff, faculty and students live in and around that area.
Guest
10:20
Yes, have emailed them twice already and haven't received a reply yet. Sure, will do that. Thanks.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:22
Guest, I am sorry to hear that. I will do my best to get you a response asap.
TheStrongestAvenger
10:20
@RobbieXYZ, what student discounts/extra baggage are you referring to?  I would like to be in on this!
Tushar
10:21
Hey! I'm trying to register courses on InTouch portal but some courses appear to be closed, what am I supposed to do now?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:23
Tushar, you would need to direct this question to your program and your program coordinator. They will handle class registration questions/issues. Unfortunately, Graduate Admissions is unable to directly assist with these problems.
Sheena
10:21
Hello! During the Penn Forerunner event in India, it was said that New Student Orientation is from 21st till 26th August and classes begin from 27th August. I wanted to confirm if this is both for undergrads and Grads students or just for Undergrads? Because in the email sent with the enrolled student chat link, says that SEAS Grad Student Orientation is on August 26th (I'm a Grad student, coming for Masters) . if you could please confirm this, so that I could arrange travel accordingly.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:26
Hi Sheena! International Student Orientation is during the week of August 19-23. Here's info about the general graduate student orientation: https://gsc.upenn.edu/resources/new-students/new-student-orientation. You are correct that the 21-26 is primarily for undergrads. However, Grad Students are able to attend those events as well, unless specifically mentioned as not being eligible.
TheStrongestAvenger
10:23
For those who are funded PhD students, I have heard that we get insurance covered.  How does this go about happening? Is there anything that we need to do?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:27
Hi Cap! Well, you would need to speak specifically with your program, as they can provide the specifics. However, to my knowledge, they will assist with the enrollment into the health insurance plan that PhD students receive.
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Ray
10:23
Hi!  I received an email about course registration, but no information on how to register online.  I emailed my program coordinator about this but I have not heard back yet.  How do I do this?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:28
Ray, I'm sorry, but Graduate Admissions is unable to assist with course registration. You would need to hear back from your Program Coordinator. You can find the course catalog here: https://catalog.upenn.edu/
RobbieXYZ
10:25
Thank you for the reply about the student ID. However, I see that I need to add a bank affiliation and phone number to generate the PennCard. Can these details be changed later? I do not currently have a US bank account or phone number.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:28
Robbie, I know that the information can be changed later. However, I believe that adding the bank information is optional - this is usually only if you want to also use the ID as a bank card.
Guest
10:29
Hello Will,
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:29
Hi Guest!
Saranya
10:29
Whom should I contact regarding questions related to insurance. Thanks for your assistance
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:29
Hi Saranya. You'll want to contact Student Health Services, https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/contact.php
Saranya
10:31
Thanks.
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