1.Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test scores must be submitted.
Our institution code is 2888; it is not necessary to use a department code. The
GRE subject test is not required. Information about the GRE test can be found at
www.gre.org.
The GMAT does not provide the same information as the GRE, therefore we
expect applicants to submit GRE scores.
The average GRE scores for candidates admitted to our graduate programs for
the past several years are available here. This will give you an idea of what is
expected of applicants. On the ETS website you can download a chart comparing
the pre-2011 GRE Verbal and Quantitative grading system with the current grading
system.
2. TOEFL/IELTS
International students and permanent residents whose native language is not
English must submit proof of English proficiency. This may be done in the
following ways:
Completion of three full years of course work in an academic program at a
college or university in the U.S. prior to matriculation*;
Submission of an official TOEFL score;
A total score of at least 100 is expected for the internet-based exam.
Our TOEFL Institution Code (University of Pennsylvania, Engineering and
Applied Science) is 2888.
Information about the TOEFL can be found at www.toefl.org.
Submission of an official score report for the International English Language
Testing System (IELTS) with a score of at least 7.5.
Information about the IELTS can be found at www.ielts.org/default.aspx
*Proof of English Language proficiency may also be demonstrated by completion
of three full years of course work in an academic program at a college or
university in Canada, the U.K., New Zealand, or Australia. Click here for more
information.
3. Grade Point Average
Applicants to the CIS graduate programs are expected to have high grade point
averages.
4. Personal Statement
All applicants should use the personal statement to describe academic,
career, and, if applicable, research objectives, as well as any other
information you wish to convey. Applicants must include a resume with the
personal statement. Applicants to the doctoral program should review the CIS
Departmental Research Areas and note in the personal statement those research
areas to be of special interest.
5. Recommendations
Applicants to the master's programs are required to provide two (2)
recommendations.
Recommendations should be from faculty familiar with the applicant's academic
abilities; one industry recommendation is acceptable.
The process for submitting recommendations is outlined on the Engineering
Graduate Admissions website. Recommenders are strongly encouraged to submit
their recommendations online - this is the quickest and most efficient method of
submitting the recommendation. Hard copy recommendation forms are not
available.
If recommenders wish to submit a hard copy recommendation rather than the
preferred online version, it must be sent to:
University of Pennsylvania
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Graduate Admissions
109 Towne Building
220 S. 33rd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6391
USA
6. Transcripts/Documents/Evaluation
All materials needed to complete the application - transcripts, test scores,
recommendations, personal statements, etc. - should be submitted online to
ensure accuracy and a swift completion of the application dossier.
Applicants must upload an unofficial copy (scanned, MS Word, PDF, etc.) of
all transcripts into the online application; if an applicant is unable to upload
the transcript copy, then the online self-reported transcript must be
completed.
The transcript submitted online is used for the evaluation.
The Official Transcript may be submitted when offer of admission is received
One [1] official transcript from each university or college attended where
course credit was earned. This must be submitted by the issuing institution.
one [1] official final transcript, showing completion of the degree. You must
also send a certificate of graduation, when the transcript does not list the
degree earned. This must be submitted by the issuing institution.
We encourage all applicants that have attended a Chinese Institution to use
the CHESSIC translation service when sending their official documentation. The
first document is $12 and all additional documents are $10. Please note, it may
take up to 20 business days for the documents to be electronically
transmitted.
Mail to:
University of Pennsylvania
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Graduate Admissions
111 Towne Building
220 S. 33rd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6391
USA
International applicants are not required to provide proof of financial
support at the time of submission of an application to the CIS graduate program
and should not submit this information with the application.
International applicants may wish to provide an evaluation of their
transcripts by a credential evaluation service such as the World Education
Services but such an evaluation is NOT mandatory.
Candidates who wish to have their papers, abstracts, talks, portfolios, etc.,
reviewed as part of the application dossier should not send hard copies or DVDs;
please link these materials on your web page and list the appropriate URLs in
your personal statement.
The online application process allows the applicant to log in to determine
what materials have been received and applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to do
this. When an applicant logs in, the information regarding materials received,
etc. is listed at the bottom of the page, right below the application
status.
It is not possible to evaluate a candidate's potential for admission to the
graduate program until the application is complete and all transcripts, letters
of recommendation, personal statement, test scores, application fee, etc. have
been submitted.
Test scores, transcripts, etc. should be submitted when the application is
submitted or shortly after the application is submitted. An application will not
be evaluated until all needed materials have been submitted and it is complete.
All completed applications are evaluated.
7. Application Fee
The application fee is $80. This information is available in the online
application.
The application fee to apply for a CIS graduate program is waived for United
States active duty service members and military veterans. Send an email request
to Dr. Sonya Gwak @ sgwak@seas.upenn.edu, including a scanned copy of your DD
214 or other appropriate documentation.