Transferring from MSE to Ph.D.

It is generally not easy for a master’s student to join the doctoral program and no candidate should commence a CIS master’s program with the primary expectation of joining the doctoral program.

Click here for information re: the CIS doctoral program.

Here is a possible plan for a CIS MSE student to assay joining the doctoral program:

1. Take the MSE/Ph.D. core course finals as the WPE I.
2. Determine an area of research he/she is interested in and takes a course in that area, conducts independent studies and/or pursues a master’s thesis with the relevant faculty. This gives faculty the opportunity to assess the student’s research ability which may result in the faculty member being willing to take on the master’s student as an advisee for the doctoral program.
   1. Submit an online application for the doctoral program providing a new personal statement relevant to the doctoral program, three letters of recommendation – at least two of which should be from Penn faculty, and any other documents he/she wishes to submit – note that payment is by check but don’t pay the application fee. Once the doctoral application has been submitted, advise the CIS Graduate Coordinator so that transcripts, test scores, etc. from the master’s application dossier will be incorporated into the doctoral application file. Current students applying for the doctoral program can request an application fee waiver by sending a request to engstats@seas.upenn.edu.