Frequently Asked Questions

Format:

Letters of recommendation should be written according to the following guidelines:

• must be written in English
• on official letterhead of the writer’s organization or institution whenever possible
• include the writer’s signature/name and organization
• range from 500 to 1,500 words

Content:

Letters should reference the Penn Engineering Online program you are applying to and cannot be reused from a different program.

Letters should be written by individuals who have evaluated the applicant and can write objectively about their aptitudes and capabilities in an academic or work setting. Please note- recommenders should not be friends or family members.

The Questionnaire:

You can answer the questionnaire by interpreting the questions through an industry lens. For example, instead of “How many students do you supervise?”, you can answer as if the question was, “How many employees do you supervise?”, etc. You can also leave the questionnaire section blank.

Due Date:

All letters of recommendation are due by the application deadline. Late letters of recommendation will not be considered and may disqualify the applicant from the admissions process. Please be mindful of the application deadlines!

Yes! Penn Engineering Online degree programs are tuition remission eligible for Penn employees. You can learn more at the Penn Benefits website.

Email our colleagues at the Student Registration and Financial Services office or call them at 215-898-6636.

We bill the VA each semester based on the number of credits you’re registered for. We cannot bill the VA for the entire program all at once.

In addition to the standard requirements for admission, you’ll need to provide English-language transcripts from every institution where you’ve earned course credit. If you’re an international applicant or a non-U.S. citizen/permanent resident for whom English is not their first language, you’ll also need to submit official English Language Proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo). See the program’s Admissions page for details.

No, our program is 100 percent online.

No, we cannot sponsor visas for students because these programs and courses are based entirely online.

Yes, but you’ll have to wait for the next admissions cycle. To reapply, you’ll need to submit the standard application materials along with answering an additional essay question. 

Your letters should focus specifically on your qualifications for MCIT Online or MSE-DS Online, so we encourage you not to reuse letters from a different program.  If you’re reapplying, your recommenders may resubmit the previously written letters with your new application.

No, letters of recommendation must be submitted online through the application portal.

Yes. All required documents, including a minimum of two letters of recommendation, must be submitted by the application deadline.

Yes, while we only require two letters, we recommend asking three people to write such letters in case one of the letters does not arrive before the deadline. The more evidence you can provide that you will succeed, the better.

No, you do not need to submit official transcripts in order to apply. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

However, please note that all unofficial transcripts must be translated to English and if the grades are not in the 4.0 grading scale, applicants must include the grading scale as part of the transcript upload. Transcripts must include all of the following: course name, credits received, and grade. If you submit a transcript that includes transfer credits without the listed grades earned, such as T or TR or CR for Transfer, you will also need to submit the transcript from the original institution that contains the actual grades received.

If you have an international transcript, we strongly recommend using a NACES service (e.g., Education Perspectives or World Education Services) to submit your transcripts as this will greatly assist the Admissions Team with the evaluation of your documents.

If admitted, you will need to provide official transcripts for verification (including a required NACES evaluation for all international transcripts). Discrepancies between self-reported academic work and official records can lead to a withdrawal of your offer of admission. Details regarding the process for submitting official transcripts will be sent to admitted students.

Letters of recommendation should be written according to the following guidelines:

• written in English
• include the writer’s name, organization and signature
• range anywhere from 500 to 1,500 words

For additional instructions and guidelines, please review Application Instructions: How to Navigate Letters of Recommendation on our website.

As part of the online application, you’ll provide contact information for your references. The system will then send each reference a unique link to the application portal, where they will upload their letter. Letters submitted by your recommenders will be automatically attached to your application even after you have submitted it. Please note that at least two recommendations must be received by the deadline in order for your application to be considered.

Your letters of recommendation should be written by people who have evaluated you and can write objectively about your aptitudes and capabilities in an academic or work setting – for example, current or former advisors, instructors or supervisors. 

The title or position of the recommender is not as important as his/her ability to comment knowledgeably and specifically about you. If you do not have an academic reference or direct supervisor, consider clients (if you own a business), military personnel or community leaders.

If admitted, and after the offer of admission is accepted, students will need to arrange for their official transcripts and degree documents to be sent directly to Graduate Admissions as soon as possible. For institutions in the United States, we require final official transcripts showing completion of coursework required for the degree, degree earned, and the date of degree conferral. Transcripts should be submitted via a secure electronic service.

For institutions outside the United States: We require a course-by-course evaluation of any transcript(s) from non-U.S. colleges or universities from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). These evaluations should be sent directly from the NACES member to Penn Engineering Graduate Admissions. This evaluation should include course titles, grades received, GPA, and U.S. degree equivalency.

No! We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. However, please note that an application is not considered complete and ready for review until at least two letters of recommendation have been submitted.

After being accepted to the program you may transfer up to two courses, subject to faculty approval. Please see the Penn Engineering Online Student Handbook for further details.