Graduate Admissions

	Programs and Degrees
	Application Procedures
	Application Requirements
	Application Deadlines
	Fellowships and Financial Aid
	Master's Submatriculation
	Questions
	Online Application
	Contacts

Programs and Degrees

The Department offers the Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering or Telecommunications and Networking and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD degree in Electrical & Systems Engineering.

The MSE Program

The MSE program is structured to develop in the student a strong theoretical base for either engineering practice or research. The MSE degree requires the successful completion of 10 course units. Electrical engineers complete at least six courses in electrical engineering or telecommunications and take up to four electives. Systems engineers take four core courses and are required to choose a focus for the remaining six courses. Students with special interests not treated by the formal curriculum may pursue faculty-supervised independent study for up to one course unit.

A Master's Thesis is optional but recommended for students wishing to pursue further education; students may take up to two course units of thesis research.

Typically, a full-time MSE student takes four courses per term and finishes the degree in one year (Fall, Spring, and Summer terms).

The PhD Program

The PhD program is focused on the develeopment of research skills to prepare the student for a life of scholarship in his field of interest. The heart of the course of study is the thesis research which culminates in the doctoral dissertation, a work of substantial original research which contributes to the body of knowledge available in a field. Additional coursework to continue the process of strengthening the command of the chosen discipline and to add to the inventory of mathematical skills is also required. The PhD degree requires a minimum of 20 course units including thesis research. Up to 8 courses may be transferred from prior graduate work; this is subject to the approval of the Graduate Chair. Prior graduate work is not a prerequisite to PhD application.

Application Procedures

Application to a graduate program in the Electrical & Systems Engineering Department is made via ApplyYourself, the University's online graduate application. Paper applications are no longer available. ApplyYourself allows applicants to begin, renew, or change information at any stage of an open application. It also allows applicants to check the status of an application using a web browser. If your recommendations are submitted online you do not need to send paper copies. Recommenders are stronghly encouraged to submit their recommendations online- this is the quickest and most efficient process of submitting the recommendation.

Documents not submitted online should be sent to:

                                                              University of Pennsylvania
                                                    School of Engineering & Applied Science
                                                                 Graduate Admissions
                                                                  111 Towne Building
                                                                   220 S. 33rd Street
                                                          Philadelphia, PA 19104-6391

Application Requirements

GRE: required from PhD applicants, required for MSE applicants effective Fall 2007 (SE majors- Spring 2009). Our institution code for submitting scores is 2926.
English Proficiency: Applicants who are not citizens of countries where English is the main language must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This is done by submitting Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores exceeding 100/250/600, or by furnishing proof of three full-time years of English medium study at the university level prior to matriculation. The TOEFL institution code for submitting scores is 2888. Currently the IELTS is not acceptable as an alternative to submitting TOEFL scores.
Recommendations: 2 letters of recommendations are required, at least one of which must be from a faculty member who is familiar with the applicant's academic record. Electronic and paper-based recommendations are accepted; paper-based letters must arrive in envelopes signed and sealed by the recommender. Further instructions are within the electronic application.
Transcripts: One transcript is required from each post-secondary academic institution attended for two or more terms. Transcript must be offiicial documents delivered signed and sealed by the pertinent institution's registrar.
Statement of Purpose: A discussion of academic and career objectives. PhD applicants must specify a Research Area.
Fee: A non-refundable fee of $70 must accompany every application.

Applications will not be processed until complete.

Application Deadlines

All applications must be received by the following dates:

PhD applicants: January 2nd for matriculation in the following Fall term.

MSE/Domestic: June 1st for the following Fall term, November 1st for the following Spring term.

MSE/International: May 1 for the following Fall term, October 1st for the following Spring term. International applicants are those applicants who are foreign nationals or who have attended colleges and universities not in the US. The earlier deadline is to allow for document transmission time, errors, and visa interviews.

NOTE: Applicants may check their status online and should actively ensure that their applications are complete. Due to the large numbers of applications received there can be some delay in response; we ask that applicants be patient. When an application is complete, it is evaluated by faculty who render a decision:

1) By mid-April for PhD applicants
2) 6-8 weeks after completion of application file for MSE applicants.

Candiates are notified by email of admissions decisions by the Associate Dean for Academics of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Financial awards to PhD students are announced by the ESE Admissions Chair. Please note that decisions cannot be revealed by telephone.

Fellowships and Financial Aid

PhD applicants compete for a limited number of Research Assistantships offered by individual faculty; the number of assistantships available varies from year to year. All offers of admission to the ESE PhD program include one-year assistantships which include full tuition and a living stipend. RAships for subsequent years of study are contingent upon satisfactory performance. Admission without offers of funding may be made only if a student is externally funded as by a corporation or government. For information on Fellowships, please contact the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences' Academic Programs Office at 215-898-7246.

MSE students at the University of Pennsylvania generally receive no financial aid from within the University. Some applicants may be eligible for various loans; for further information, please contact Student Financial Services.

Master's Submatriculation

Qualified students may be permitted to begin a graduate program while still completing their undergraduate program. With the permission of the responsible undergraduate and graduate faculty, a student so admitted to a graduate program may take up to three graduate courses for both undergraduate and graduate credit while registered as an undergraduate student. Only candidates for the BSE degree may apply for submatriculation in the SEAS Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) program, and these students must have a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Application for admission as a submatriculant must be completed before the end of the student's junior year. To apply for submatriculation, pick up the form in Room 111 Towne and obtain the required approvals. The student then applies to the graduate program following the regular graduate application procedure. The submatriculation form should accompany your application material.