What does this indicate about my acceptance?

[ashrj]

I received an acceptance from UPenn for Master's in Robotics. I was not interviewed or contacted since I submitted my application. Is this the normal process? My bachelors is from a relatively well known institute in my country.

 

Also, does it make sense to ask for scholarships/work-study positions now, or after I decide? Has anybody gotten, or know of anybody who got, scholarships for this program?

[Chubberubber]

Congratiolations!

I don't know the first thing about robotics, but I do know that some programs don't interview applicants or contact them in any way prior to acceptence (that's the case for many Social Welfare programs). 

Maybe there's a section/ thread either on the "the bank" forum (or maybe there's a "robotics" forum in this site) where people might know more about scholraships and work-study, though I would assume it very much depends on your school and department. My advice is for you to contact UPenn's financial aid office as well as the department your were admitted to with this question. 

Keep in mind though, that financial aid and many scholarships are strictly for U.S citizens or legal permanent residents ("green card" holders). If you're not one of those, you might want to look for funding options in your home country as well...

 

Best of luck!

[ashrj]

 

Thanks!

 

I don't know the first thing about robotics, but I do know that some programs don't interview applicants or contact them in any way prior to acceptence 

 

 

Heard that, but I also read that international applicants tend to get interviewed more often than not. 

 

My advice is for you to contact UPenn's financial aid office as well as the department your were admitted to with this question. 

 

 

I was going to do that in couple of days once I hear back from one other program that I applied to.

 

Keep in mind though, that financial aid and many scholarships are strictly for U.S citizens or legal permanent residents ("green card" holders). 

 

 

Been running into a lot of that :/

 

Thanks again!

[Chubberubber]

Just occured to me that you might be eligale to work for the university even as an international, depending in your type of visa. Worth checking with them about it as well...

[braindump]

If it's an official acceptance then I'm guessing that's their final decision. I was recently admitted w/o interview to a program that typically interviews, so I guess it just depends on the candidate or the specific program's process. I don't know how Master's programs work with interviews, but if what you got was an actual acceptance I'd say you're set. 

 

I also recommend inquiring about scholarships and work opportunities before you accept. Many are probably reserved for US citizens but it may vary by program. It might be unwise to accept an offer before you're sure of your financial situation.

[iphi]

I received an acceptance from UPenn for Master's in Robotics. I was not interviewed or contacted since I submitted my application. Is this the normal process? My bachelors is from a relatively well known institute in my country.

 

Also, does it make sense to ask for scholarships/work-study positions now, or after I decide? Has anybody gotten, or know of anybody who got, scholarships for this program?

 

First of all, congratulations! I find it depends on the field, although there can be some variation within that. For example, my field typically interviews. However, like you, I received an acceptance last year without having had an interview. The people at that school told me they stopped conducting interviews because they felt the process was unfair -- that people who could not travel to interviews were at a disadvantage, so they stopped doing them. I think Master's programs especially may not interview as much.

 

Secondly, I think it is absolutely appropriate to ask about the financial aspect now. Write and thank them for the acceptance, tell them how excited you are about it, but say you may not be able to attend if you have to pay for everything yourself, and ask about funding.