Application Information for External Prospective Master’s Students
All applications for engineering graduate programs are submitted online and details on application requirements may be found here. Applicants for master’s and doctoral programs must have obtained a bachelor’s degree from an accredited School or University prior to intended matriculation date. In addition, applicants to the Master of Science in Robotics program are expected to have a strong academic background in computer science, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering.
For application requirements and deadline information, please reference:
- How to Apply: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/
- Grad Admissions FAQ: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/faq/
The Robotics Program has two deadlines:
- November 1st (Early Admission)
- February 3rd (Regular Admission)
Admission is highly competitive and applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the early application deadline. While the GRE is not required, we strongly encourage submission of GRE scores with your application. Admission statistics can be found here; this will give you an idea of what is expected of applicants.
It is not possible to evaluate a candidate’s potential for admission to the graduate program until the entire application – transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, test scores, etc. – has been received.
* There is no departmental funding available for master’s candidates.
* Research duties are usually handled by research fellow doctoral students.
* Teaching Assistant duties are generally met by PhD students participating in a Teaching Practicum.
You may explore alternative funding sources here and visit this link for information about employment opportunities (see “Employment Resources” for more information). More internal Fellowship Information may be found here as well.
Accelerated Master’s Application Information
Full details on the Accelerated Master’s process (formerly called Submatriculation) through SEAS may be found here. In addition to the Penn Engineering requirements, undergraduate applicants must include: 1) a personal statement (2-3 pages) along with their application; 2) a minimum cumulative STEM GPA of 3.2 in order to apply.
The external Accelerated Master’s (4+1) process and information may be found here.
Internal Master’s Transfer & Dual Master’s Request Information
Due to high demand, we are unable to automatically accept transfer or dual masters requests from students in other Master’s programs at Penn. Students who are interested in applying to the Robotics MSE program from other programs at Penn will be afforded an opportunity to be considered as part of the regular admission process with the deadline of February 1st. Please note that acceptance to the robotics program is highly competitive and there are typically many more applicants than places available. Applications will only be accepted after 1 semester is completed in your current program at Penn. Students may not apply during the final year of their current program.
Process for those that wish to apply to internally transfer from another department within SEAS:
- You must speak with your current program first. Then submit your personal statement of 1 page or less, plus any additional documents including resume, letters of recommendation, etc. which are optional to robo-coord@seas.upenn.edu by February 1st.
- Submit your transfer request via the form here to complete the application process.
- Submitting your transfer application serves as permission to access your original graduate application to Penn to be considered during the review process; GRE scores are optional.
- Decisions will be released 8-10 weeks after the February 1st deadline.
Process for those that wish to apply for a Dual Master’s with ROBO from another department within SEAS:
- You must speak with your current program first. Then submit your personal statement of 1 page or less and the Curriculum Plan, plus any additional documents including resume, letters of recommendation, etc. which are optional to robo-coord@seas.upenn.edu by February 1st.
- Submit your Dual Master’s request via the form here to complete the application process.
- Submitting your dual Master’s application serves as permission to access your original graduate application to Penn to be considered during the review process; GRE scores are optional.
- Decisions will be released 8-10 weeks after the February 1st deadline.
QUESTIONS
Graduate Coordinator for ROBO
Office: The GRASP Treehouse in Building 250 at the Pennovation Center
robo-coord@seas.upenn.edu