Penn Engineering offers a submatriculation for a Master of Science in Engineering in Data Science.
Credit: Sanjana JuvvadiStudents who participate in submatriculation at Penn told The Daily Pennsylvanian that the process is doable but requires meticulous planning.
The submatriculation process, which allows students to obtain an undergraduate and master's degree simultaneously from one of Penn's 12 graduate schools, is available to all students at Penn regardless of their school and extends to graduate programs across over half the departments in the College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Students can also participate in specialized professional degree options, including through Penn Carey Law or the MBA submatriculation program in Wharton.
The DP spoke with students about the primary benefits of these pathways.
“I compared submatting to doing a double major [dual degree] in Engineering … but a master’s degree is a little more concise in that you are just taking courses that are relevant to the major without these extra [gen ed] courses,” College and Engineering senior Thomas Li, who studies mathematical economics while pursuing a master's degree in data science, told the DP.
While the process to apply for submatriculation typically begins at the end of sophomore year or during junior year, Li said that knowing early in his time at Penn that he wanted to submatriculate was key to being able to successfully finish the degrees.
"I started thinking about it my freshman year, and the advantage of thinking early is that you can plan ahead," Li said. "I planned out four years of both degrees and [did] not have to take extra classes or pay extra."
Li added that starting the submatriculation process late could risk leading to having to pay for extra classes or spending more time at Penn.
“For some of my friends who also decided to do this, they had to take another semester to finish the degree," he said.
Undergraduate Chair of the Anthropology department Katherine Moore cited the "50% rule" as further motivation for students with submatriculation goals to plan their courses early. This rule states that at least half of students' courses each semester must count towards their undergraduate degree in order to retain their undergraduate financial aid package. This aims to prevent students from squeezing their graduate degree into one or two semesters.
“It makes it difficult for some students to get coverage for another semester, for example,” Moore said. She points out that her role as an advisor is limited when addressing finances, as they don’t deal directly with Student Registration and Financial Services. “All we can do is support the students involved to make sure they are in an appropriate program.”
Still, despite the limitations placed, students still emphasize the benefits of submatriculation regardless of financial status, stating they don’t consider it a disadvantage but rather an advantage.
“If you’re already on financial aid, … [or] if you’re not, you’re basically getting two degrees for the price of one,” senior Amishi Mahajan, who is studying biochemistry and biology under the Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences program while pursuing a masters degree in chemistry, said.
Li called it a “buy one, get one free deal.”
Within a preprofessional campus, both students pointed out the advantage of having another degree.
“I think [with] any kind of job, it would be very advantageous for you to have that extra degree, especially if it's just at the cost of a cost of a few classes,” Mahajan said.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
Donate
