Question: What qualities does the Graduate Admissions Committee look for in a applicant?

Answer: Applications to the University of Pennsylvania's Integrated Product Design Master's Program are evaluated based on the entire application, not individual parts.  The program looks for candidates that demonstrate through coursework and/ or immersive experiences not only a strong interest in product design and design thinking, but a degree of background in at least two of the three program areas: engineering, design/ art, and business, along with hands on experience making/ building/ creating in some way or form, demonstrated through a submitted visual portfolio.  We look for solid references from individuals with insight about the candidate, along with applicant strengths in both leadership and teamwork.  University grades and standardized testing scores are important elements in the decision process, but are not a final determinant of eligibility.