You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Return toGrad Admissions
Prospective Graduate Student Chat, Dec 19, 2019
powered byJotCast
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
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.
International Students & Scholars Services:
https://global.upenn.edu/isss/new
April 15 National Grad School Decision Agreement:
https://cgsnet.org/april-15-resolution
International Student Pre-Departure Checklist:
https://global.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/Pre-Departure%20Checklist...
University Clery Report Information:
https://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/clery/annual-security-fire-safety-r...
Career Services Survey for Engineering Grads:
https://careerservices.upenn.edu/post-graduate-outcomes/
2018 Master’s grads: https://cdn.uconnectlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/74/2019/08/2018_...
Student Health Services:
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/compliance.php
10:02
Where do you live?
United States (35.7% | 5 votes)
 
China (21.4% | 3 votes)
 
India (28.6% | 4 votes)
 
Europe (0% | 0 votes)
 
Middle East (0% | 0 votes)
 
Another Region (14.3% | 2 votes)
 
Total Votes: 14
Eljan
10:03
Good Morning Will,
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:03
Hi Eljan, what can I do for you today?
Shiqi
10:03
Hi Will,
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:03
Hi Shiqi
Shiqi
10:04
I'm applying to the MCIT Program and note that at least 1 letter of recommendation should be from "a faculty member who is familiar with the candidate’s scholarly abilities". It has however been a while since I graduated from university. Would it be possible to replace this with another letter of recommendation from a professional source instead?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:04
Shiqi, we do allow you to do this if it has been at least 5 years since you graduated. When did you graduate?
Shiqi
10:05
Thanks Will for confirming that. I graduated in 2012
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:05
You're welcome, Shiqi. In that case you don't need to have an academic source for one of the letters.
cool 1
Viren Bajaj
10:05
Hi Will, I want to do the CIS masters program. I majored in Physics in college, got a minor in CS, and i'm doing software engineering research at my full-time job. The CIS program specifically advises against applying if you don't have a major in CS in your undergrad (Other universities say its okay if you have an equivalent technical degree). Given my experience is it okay for me to apply to the CIS program or the CIT program? Thanks
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:07
Viren, I am sorry, but I can't give you a definitive answer on this question. You can contact the Program Coordinator, Mike Felker, at mfelker@seas.upenn.edu, and he may be able to give you a better answer. Ultimately you can apply and if they believe  you are qualified you would be admitted. However, you are able to apply to transfer into the CIS program from the MCIT program after one semester, so you might want to apply for that and then apply to transfer. Ultimately the decision is yours.
Shiqi
10:08
On the online application form, I also note that in the "Academic Background" section, there is a segment on CertiFile. I read that WES or any other such similar services are not required, and so am slightly confused that this is still listed as an option here. I am an international student - could you kindly advise if I should check this box? The language of education is English at my undergraduate institution, and the scanned copy of my transcript that I intend to submit is also in English.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:09
Shiqi, it is just an option and not required. You don't have to check the box.
Guest
10:08
Okay, thanks will. I'll get in touch with mike felker.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:09
You're welcome, Guest.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:09
Which program are you planning to apply to?
Master's (81.8% | 9 votes)
 
I've already applied for a PhD (18.2% | 2 votes)
 
Both (0% | 0 votes)
 
Total Votes: 11
Aravind
10:09
Does my chances of admission increase if I apply five to six weeks earlier than the application deadline?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:10
Aravind, I don't believe so, but we don't have any hard data that would say yes or no in that regard.
Aravind
10:10
*Do
cool 1
Shiqi
10:10
Got it. Thanks Will. Last question from me: Is there a webpage/site to understand what is the international student population and/or female population in a particular program (E.g. MCIT/MSE)?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:12
Shiqi, I'm sorry, but I don't believe we have that information published anywhere. I can tell you that we have a great deal of international students and female students as well. Our undergraduate population is actually slightly more female than male at this time, but the grad school population is still more male than female.
Shiqi
10:11
I unfortunately haven't been able to find one!
Eljan
10:12
I have several questions:
1. I graduated the university in 2015, in Azerbaijan. I live in US over 3 years. Recently I talked with one of my favorite professors, unfortunately they do not use cooperative email. Is it fine to mention their personal email address ?2. You know that ETS TOEFL report last exam result as well as best score. So, do you consider the best score? (this new feature combines your best scores for each section from all of your valid TOEFL iBT scores in the last 2 years)3. Do you have any recommended company for Course by Course evaluation? Or it does not matter?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:14
Hi Eljan,
1. - Yes, that is fine. 2. Yes, we do consider the Best Score. It was previously referred to as "Super Score," and we have used it for at least a few years. 3. No, we don't have a preferred vendor for a course-by-course evaluation. This is not required, but we do require a translated transcript if you do not have one that is English.
Guest
10:14
Hi will,
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:14
Hi Guest.
Aravind
10:14
Thank you for your time Will. Would the admission committee start reviewing my application once it has been submitted or does it happen once the deadline has passed?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:14
Hi Aravind, it is usually done after the deadline.
Om
10:14
Hi, I have applied for PhD in chemical engineering. One of my two recommendations reached on 17th Dec. With deadline being 15th Dec. Will it still be considered ? Thanks!
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:15
Hi Om, unless you had two other letters that were submitted by the deadline, this is a decision left up to the program. As we mention on our website, the deadline for all materials is Dec 15.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:16
Have you submitted your application?
Yes (11.1% | 1 vote)
 
Started it, but haven't submitted it (66.7% | 6 votes)
 
Not yet (11.1% | 1 vote)
 
I'm weighing all of my educational options (11.1% | 1 vote)
 
Total Votes: 9
Guest
10:16
Hi Will, I applied to the BE PhD program - this program only requires two references, but I named three. One of them didn't respond (but I still have the required two). When I look at my application status, there is a "Has not started yet" message next to the third references name - does this person need to respond in order for my application to be considered complete? I don't see a way to actually remove that reference.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:17
Hi Guest. No, it will not be taken into account if one of the recommenders didn't submit a letter, as long as the other two meet our requirements.
Priti
10:16
Hi!
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:17
Hi Priti!
Om
10:16
Ohh.. can I request graduate committee or provide them information regarding this?
Load More Messages
Connecting…