sassywalrus Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 I was recently accepted (a miracle!) to the SMART program at UPenn for the fall. I've already accepted since it was my top choice but I was wondering if anyone has come across any external information about this degree/program. While the Penn website has a lot of information, I can't seem to find anything else about it. I can't even seem to find anyone who has graduated from the program. It seems as though the entire Quantitative Methods department is pretty small. I was just curious what students of the program thought about it and what most of them go on to do after they graduate (PhD, work, consulting, etc)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaWolf Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 What information did you find? I found out I was accepted on Saturday, would've had a decision sooner but there was a transcript issue. It's my top choice too, still shocked I got in and I'm trying to figure out the financing to make this work. I'm going to contact the program coordinator today and try to get in contact with current students or recent alumni, if I hear anything I'll let you know. I had been searching LinkedIn but with the unique name of the program I've yet to find information either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guest8604 Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 About the funding, I do not know if you aware of this detail, but you have the option to live in University accommodation and work 'voluntarily' as a supervisor or something. In this case, you don't need to pay for your accommodation. Just to let you know! You need to apply for this, positions are limited, obviously. But is worth knowing! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaWolf Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 But can you live like that with children? I have two, complicates the matter a little but I'm rather determined to try to make this work. Has anyone out there done this successfully with children? I'm the primary breadwinner but have decided that I want to further my education rather than stay where I currently am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassywalrus Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Hooray for someone else in SMART! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaWolf Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Thanks, congrats to you too!!! How many times have you read your letter since you got it? Mine came on Saturday, 2 days before my birthday, and I open it at least twice a day, I'm still in shock I got in, been out of school for almost 10 years!!!....still praying it works out financially. Penn's on break this week, I talked to our program coordinator and she's going to put me in touch with some students next week to hear more about it. I can't make the March 28th event due to a prior engagement, are there events all weekend or are we Friday only? I was there in 2000 for a summer so I've been on campus; just wish I could be there this time to meet some of the others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassywalrus Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Well it's been 2 months since I was accepted but I've definitely read it a few times haha. I wish they mailed us an actual letter, I'd probably frame it. Finances are tough, I didn't get any scholarships and I don't want to take out loans so I'm just paying full price. Our day is just one day on the 28th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaWolf Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Do you plan to work while in the program? I'm thinking I might need to secure a part time job and pay some of tuition each month. I received a small scholarship, just wondering how others might be taking this on. The obvious bonus is that this is a one year program, so only one year of debt at the end. I was accepted to a couple of other programs and am waiting on financial aid but this is the best offer I've received yet. Too bad we can't meet on the 28th, hope to see you in the fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassywalrus Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 I'm actually working full time and will do the program part time and take 2 years to finish (2 classes for 4 semesters instead of 4 classes for 2 semesters). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaWolf Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 I was thinking of that being an option for me as well, I might be talking to the coordinator to see about that. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaWolf Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 I just received a response to my inquiry from a current student. She plans on working as a consultant for a school or non-profit after graduation. She said the degree is pretty flexible and the courses cover a variety of topics so even those not from an education background (more social services or health care) have job prospects as graduation approaches. Did you hear anything? Are you going to be there Friday? If so let me know how it goes, I wish I could go but made my other commitment before I found out I was accepted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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