How I Got Into University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) For MS Robotics?

Hello Anuriha! Let’s uncover how you got into UPenn for MS Robotics!

Hey! Who are you, what are you currently doing and what is your background?

My name is Anuriha Kodali, and I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Robotics at University of Pennsylvania. I completed my undergraduate degree at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad. 

I did an internship at Samsung, though it wasn’t directly related to robotics. It was more focused on networks and machine learning, which gave me a good foundation in working with big data and understanding systems at scale. After that, I worked at IISc as a Research Associate for about a year. We worked on a project with toy robots, which gave me hands-on experience in robotics.

Following that, I worked at a startup in Bangalore called Machani Robotics. They were partnered with Hanson Robotics, the company behind Sophia, the humanoid robot. My role there involved creating an SDK from scratch and working on the integration between the electrical components and the software. 

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How did you decide that you wanted to pursue an MS in the US?

When I was doing my undergrad, I took a combination of core electrical courses and layered it with computer science topics. I took courses like OOP, OS, AI, ML, and Human-Computer Interaction, along with my core electrical subjects. That gave me a solid foundation and helped me gain clarity on what I wanted to pursue. 

I wanted something that combined both fields (CS and Electronics), and that’s why I decided to pursue a Master’s. I felt that I needed more formalized training because while I had experience working with robotic systems and software, it wasn’t streamlined. When I’m in a position where I have to build a robotic system from scratch, I want to know how to do it efficiently, in a cost-effective and time-effective manner. That’s where I think a Master’s will make a big difference for me.

How did you start your application preparation; can you throw some light on profile building, GRE, LORs and SOPs?

GRE & TOEFL

I took the GRE around August or September because I wanted to get it out of the way early and focus on other parts of the application. For GRE prep, there are many resources available. I would recommend something like Magoosh or various prep books, like Barron’s. I didn’t take any coaching, but that’s another option. My score was 329.

Once you get the hang of how standardized tests work, you’ll be fine. In the beginning, the scores may not be great, but as you practice, you understand how they ask questions and how the format works. I took the TOEFL a week after the GRE. There’s not much specific preparation needed for TOEFL—though I wouldn’t recommend being entirely unprepared—but it’s relatively easier compared to GRE.

My advice is to finish off the GRE, TOEFL, and any other standardized exams as early as possible. Once those are out of the way, you can focus on other parts of your application. Keep in mind that many schools no longer require the GRE, but I still think it’s a good idea to take it because it can add value to your application.

SOP

For the SOP, I wrote a standard version that highlighted my journey and passion for robotics. I talked about the work I did during my internships at IISc and briefly mentioned my time at Samsung, although it didn’t tie much into my overall story. It’s important to focus on experiences that are directly relevant to what you want to do in the future. Each SOP should be customized for the particular school you’re applying to. I would change a few paragraphs to reflect why I wanted to join that specific program, mentioning professors, courses, or facilities that interested me. It’s crucial to show how the program aligns with your goals.

LOR

Regarding Letters of Recommendation (LORs), I’d suggest starting early. Professors are usually busy, and you don’t want to ask at the last minute. Start at least a month or two before the application deadline. Professors have to upload their recommendations to each school individually, and if you’re applying to many schools, this can take a lot of time. Some might even limit the number of schools they’ll submit to, so keep that in mind.

I got my LORs from one of my professors at IISc, one of my professors at BITS, and my current manager. It’s important to have a balance between academic and corporate LORs. While a manager’s recommendation is valuable, academic institutions prefer seeing recommendations from professors who can comment on your academic abilities. Try to get as many academic LORs as possible, but make sure they’re from professors who know you well. If a professor barely knows you, the recommendation will likely be too generic, and they can’t vouch for you effectively.

Timelines

Regarding the timeline, I finished my GRE and TOEFL pretty early, by the end of August. Most of the applications were due around December and January. I worked on my SOP right until the last minute, which I wouldn’t recommend. It’s really stressful, so it’s better to start early. I even had to take a week off work just to finish my SOPs. But for the LORs, you can’t rush that since it depends on others, so I recommend starting that process as early as possible.

What colleges did you apply for and what was the result?

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Can you tell us more about the course and what the learning outcomes are?

At Penn, you have to take 10 courses over the span of two years. They don’t have a credit-based system like other schools; it’s all about completing the 10 courses. I’m taking courses like Machine Learning, Machine Perception, and Intro to Robotics Systems because I feel those will give me a solid foundation for more advanced topics later on.

As for the learning outcomes, well, robotics is still a relatively niche field, though it’s gaining popularity. Penn does host career fests from time to time, but since it’s a general event, not many companies come specifically for robotics. So, it’s important to make connections and stay in touch with people for future opportunities. 

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What is the cost of tuition and cost of living, and how are you planning to fund your studies?

The approximate cost of tuition at UPenn for Robotics is $81,750 for 2 years, which is around INR 70 lakhs.

The college pays around $18 to $20 per hour for TA/RA, which is one way Penn can be affordable. Unlike some other schools that waive tuition for research assistantships, Penn doesn’t do that. They just pay you for the work. They also have opportunities on Workday where you can apply for on-campus jobs, like working at the library or participating in research studies.

As for accommodation, Penn doesn’t offer graduate housing, so you have to find your own place. I live about 30 minutes from campus, but it’s quicker if you take the bus or bike. Living expenses are around $1,000 a month.

What are the job opportunities after master’s?

After a master’s, the future  depends on what part of robotics you want to focus on. For example, do you want to work on control systems or focus on learning algorithms? Personally, I don’t have complete clarity on that right now. I’m hoping the master’s program will help me decide.

If you want to work on AI/ML on top of robotics, you’d be designing algorithms that help the robot perform tasks like picking something up or navigating. That’s one path. On the other hand, if you want to actually build the robot, you’d be more focused on the mechanical side—like actuation, material design, and other engineering aspects. Electrical work is another avenue entirely, focusing on things like sensors and circuits. So there are a lot of different specializations within robotics. Big companies like NVIDIA and Amazon are doing interesting work in robotics. Startups, like Boston Dynamics, Nuro robotics etc are also doing really exciting things. They tend to be at the forefront of innovation.

As for job titles, you could be anything from a Path Planning Engineer to a Controls Engineer or Learning Engineer. Sometimes the title is just as simple as “Robotics Engineer.” It really depends on the company. In terms of salary,  entry-level positions would be around $100K. That’s just an estimate though, it really depends on the company you are applying to.

Any final words of advice for anyone who aspires to be where you currently are?

My advice would be not to approach the process as haphazardly as I did. If I could do it again, I’d definitely plan better—take more time with the SOP and thoroughly research the schools. One very important thing is to do intense research on each school you’re applying to. You don’t want to ramble in your SOP; it has to be specific.

As for what I did well, I don’t think there’s anything major that stands out. A lot of places don’t really look at GRE scores anymore, so that’s becoming less relevant. One thing that helped me, though, was my prior experience in robotics. Having that background gave me confidence when writing my SOP because I knew the right keywords and concepts to use.

Throughout the process what were some helpful resources, tools and books you used?

For GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL preparation, I primarily used Magoosh, Barron’s, the Official ETS GRE Guide, and Princeton Review. These resources really helped me solidify my understanding and practice for the exams.

When it came to university selection, I relied on rankings from QS, US News, and other ranking websites. The ranking websites provided a good idea of where I wanted to apply and helped me assess programs objectively.

For accommodation, I used specific websites that help match roommates. Additionally, Facebook and WhatsApp groups were quite useful in connecting with people and finding a place to stay.

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