Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

Essential information regarding the admissions process can be found here. The following is frequently requested ancillary information.

Q) Must my transcripts, TOEFL/GRE scores etc. be official or can I submit photocopies?

A) Photocopies are not acceptable; we are unable to complete evaluations without official documents.

Q) Where should all materials be sent?

A) Send all materials to:

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

Please do not send any materials directly to the ESE Department. If you do this you will merely delay the processing of your application and will increase the likelihood of materials being lost.

Q) What is the procedure for admission?

A) Applicants are officially notified by mail when their application materials are received and are informed if any materials are missing. Because of the large number of applications to be processed around deadlines, there can be some delay in responding to applicants' queries and we ask that they be patient. It is not necessary to contact the Department directly to request application status information.

When a completed application is received, it is evaluated promptly by our faculty. An admit/reject decision in each case will be made and the candidate will be informed by mail of this decision.

Q) What are the costs for tuition and housing?

Tuition and Fees for Fall 2003:
Four courses: tuition - $14,608; general fee - $875; technology fee - $251
One course: tuition - $3,550; general fee - $173 (technology fee charged for more than one course)

Tuition and Fees for Spring 2004:
Four courses: tuition - $14,608; general fee - $875; technology fee - $251
One course: tuition - $3,550; general fee - $173 (technology fee charged for more than one course)

Tuition and Fees for Summer 2003:
One course in Summer Session I: tuition - $3,550; general fee - $173 (technology fee charged for more than one course)
One course in Summer Session II: tuition - $3,550; general fee - $173 (technology fee charged for more than one course)

Student Health Insurance: $1,677
Estimated costs for lodging, board, books, etc.: $16,936

Q) What is the percentage of students admitted to your Department each year? What is the minimum GPA/TOEFL/GRE etc. score required by your Department?

A) We do not publish details of admission percentages, for the very good reason that our admission circumstances change each year and such statistics would only mislead potential students. As a general rule competition for admission to Penn is very intense and candidates should be aware of this before submitting an application.

We do not discuss the exact criteria for admission with students because no such exact criteria exist. Admittance is based on proven excellence in academic studies, an estimate of the applicant's ability to successfully complete our graduate program, and on the compatibility of student interests with our programs and research. As a general rule we advise students who wish to be competitive candidates to submit a minimum TOEFL score of 600/250 (paper based/computer based) and a combined GRE (general) score of 2160. However, we stress that these are guidelines only and that possession or lack of possession of such scores will not necessarily determine your admission to ESE.

Q) I am from a low-income family. Will you waive my application/admission fee?

A) Unfortunately, we cannot waive fees under any circumstances.

Q) Can you please give me information on the research areas/contact details for Professors in your Department?

A) Information on our faculty is available at this location: http://www.seas.upenn.edu/tcom/faculty.html

As a general rule we do not encourage applicants to directly contact faculty members with general admissions-related inquiries. All of our Professors review applications to their appropriate research areas, and if they are interested in your application then they will contact you to discuss this. However, if you are interested in visiting a faculty member at Penn then you can discuss the details with him directly. We encourage applicants who are able to visit Philadelphia to come to the campus and see our facilities and researchers.

Q) Can I study for the M.S.E. on a part-time basis?

A) Yes. Many of our students have completed Masters degrees while working part-time. However, please bear in mind the following: (a) our evening classes usually begin no later than 4.30pm on weekdays; (b) we do not offer weekend classes; (d) graduate students are required to register for a minimum of one course unit per regular semester in order to remain associated with the Department; (d) there is a one-year (two full semester) minimum residency requirement.

Q) Where will I live?

A) The University offers many options for both on-campus and off-campus housing. For information please visit the Department of Housing and Conference Services.

Q) How do a obtain or transfer a visa?

A) Visa matters are handled by the Office of International Programs.

Q) Do you accept CBT (Computer Based Test) GRE scores?

A) We accept scores as made available by the Educational Testing Service. As of this writing, the ETS will make CBT scores from applicants in areas that have reverted to the Paper Based Test avilable as long as the scores have not yet expired (5 years).

Q) Financial Aid?

A) MSE students at UPenn generally receive no aid. Exceptional students may secure positions as graders or teaching assistants; these positions offer wages but no tuition remission.