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Prospective Graduate Student Chat, Oct 17, 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 (14.3% | 1 vote)
 
China (42.9% | 3 votes)
 
India (28.6% | 2 votes)
 
Europe (14.3% | 1 vote)
 
Middle East (0% | 0 votes)
 
Another Region (0% | 0 votes)
 
Total Votes: 7
Louise
10:02
Hi Will! I have a question regarding the Letters of Recommendation for the MCIT program. Would you recommend 2 letters from academics, or one academic and one professional?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:04
Hi Louise. It really depends on what the recommenders will be saying - we are looking for folks that can speak to your ability to succeed in the classroom, in rigorous coursework, working successfully in groups/group projects, synthesize concepts/ideas and/or coursework into real-world application/implementation. Does this help?
cool 1
Zhengtong Liu
10:03
Hi Will! Nice to meet you. I am applying for the MCIT program and in the "additional info" section it ask me to list any recent employment, I am wondering if internship could count or only full-time job should be mentioned
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:05
Zhengtong Liu, hello! If you believe the internship is relevant to your application and/or future goals, then yes.
cool 1
Xinyi DATS
10:04
Hello, Will! I am applying to MSE in Data Science. I have sent my GRE scores to your Institution code 2888 but didn't specify the department code. Would this result in any delay for you to receive my GRE scores?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:05
Xinyi, no, this should be fine. We'd only have a delay if there's an issue with matching the scores to your application, but as long as the scores are also reported on your application, we'll still be able to begin the review.
Xinyi DATS
10:07
I notice that in the applyweb form, applicants could provide multiple GRE test scores. Would you review GRE scores based on the highest subsection scores among different tests?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:08
Yes, we do usually use "Super Scoring." This will take the highest score from each valid section when considering test scores.
Louise
10:10
Thank you for your previous answer!
I have another question regarding the student fees; I'm not sure I've completely understood how it works. How much would it cost approximately to complete the MCIT in 4 semesters?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:11
Louise, the fees are based on the number of courses you take, that cost is broken down here: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/paying-for-your-education/
Xinyi DATS
10:12
Thanks for your answers! My undergraduate institution locates in China, but English is the primary language of instruction at my institution. Therefore, my transcript is in English, and my certificate of graduation is Chinese-English bilingual. Do I still need CHESSIC service to verify my transcript and graduation certificate? And my another question, is the CHESSIC service, if necessary, required during the application or after the admission?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:12
Xinyi, we don't require CHESSIC. If your school's primary language of instruction is English, and your transcript is in English, it will be fine.
Louise
10:12
So that is the cost per semester right?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:13
It's actually cost per course, as each course is only one semester.
Guest
10:12
In the application:
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:13
HI Guest, what question do you have?
Kushan
10:13
In the application, do we need to specify internships as employment? And if admitted as full time student, do we need UPenn to sponsor our j1 or f1 visa?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:15
Kushan, you only need to mention internships if you believe they are relevant to your application. As for the visa - if you would be an international student, you would need to be sponsored and you can use this info to help you decide between J1 or F1 status: https://global.upenn.edu/isss/f1vsj1
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:16
Everyone, here are some links that should be useful:
Here are some links that you may find useful:

This Week in Penn Engineering (updated when they come out):
https://mailchi.mp/4f744a4d3a5f/this-week-at-penn-engineering-april-25...
Application Link:
https://www.applyweb.com/upenng/index.ftl
How To Apply:
https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/
Grad School FAQ Link:
https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/faq/
Student Financial Services:
http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/
Costs
https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/paying-for-your-education/
Potential Fellowship and Financial Aid Information
http://www.cis.upenn.edu/prospective-students/graduate/aid.php
https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/gradstudfunding.php
JP Eckert Fellowship for CIS-Related programs
http://www.cis.upenn.edu/prospective-students/graduate/aid-eckert.php
International Students & Scholars Services:
https://global.upenn.edu/isss/new
April 15 National Grad School Decision Agreement:
https://cgsnet.org/april-15-resolution
Xinyi DATS
10:17
Thanks, Will! I also want to submit a course description file in my application since what I have learned in some courses is not clear from their course titles in the transcript. But I can't find any place in the application form to submit such information. How could I add this supporting information?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:18
Xinyi, this is not something that we normally have added to the application, hence why there is no place to upload it. You could either mention it in your personal statement, or you could send it to us after you submit your application and we could upload it. What program do you plan to apply?
Ryan
10:18
Hi,
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:18
Hi, Ryan
Zhengtong Liu
10:18
Thank you for clarification. I am also wondering that although I'm international, I think I am eligible to waive toefl as I am an undergrad at the U.S., but do I need to specify that I can waive toefl in my application or the admission office would just know by looking at my academic background
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:19
Zhengtong, if you will be graduating from a US institution, then you do not need to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores. We would waive this after reviewing your application and submitted materials.
Kushan
10:19
Is it permissible to apply to more than one MSE program? If so, do we need to create a separate application itself?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:19
Kushan, you can apply to multiple master's programs. You will need to start a new application after you have submitted the first one.
Xinyi DATS
10:19
MSE in Data Science
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:20
Thank you. You would want to email admissions2@seas.upenn.edu.
Zhengtong Liu
10:20
Thank you!
cool 1
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:20
You're welcome!
Ryan
10:20
I have a question about my eligibility to apply for MCIT program. I have only take 1-2 introductory computer programming course, and have done a personal side project on web application using basic html css and javascript. But I still want to learn more about computer science. Am I still eligible to apply for the MCIT program? Thank you so much.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:21
Ryan, the MCIT program is for those that do not have a CS degree, but want to learn more about CIS, so yes, it sounds like you would definitely meet the qualification.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:21
Have you submitted your application
Yes (0% | 0 votes)
 
Started it, but haven't submitted it (87.5% | 7 votes)
 
Not yet (12.5% | 1 vote)
 
I'm weighing all of my educational options (0% | 0 votes)
 
Total Votes: 8
Kushan
10:21
Is there any word/page limit on the personal statement?
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