<p>How is Penn’s engineering program compared to other schools?
I am interested in majoring in Computer Science in SAS.
I want to do dual degree in SAS and Wharton as well.</p>
<p>I took AP Chem, AP Calc AB, and I will be taking AP PhysicsB, AP Computer Science, and AP Calc BC senior year. I don’t know how Penn might view my courses as rigorous and eligible for Penn engineering.
All my AP’s are balanced, I have 6 APs in social science/lang and 6 APs in science/math.
I am pretty much both sided but I don’t know how Penn might view that.</p>
<p>The best thing I can wish for is the M&T program, but it’s really prestigious…</p>
<p>So, how would I fit in for Penn engineering? </p>
<p>Thanks! I would really appreciate your advice!</p>
<p>Do you know what prof you’re signed up for? Math 114 is fairly standardized in terms of the syllabus and common final but a lot of the grading/midterms varies based on section. For example, I had Prof Powers for 114, who is considered one of the worst profs you can have for the class. Unlike many of the sections that collected/graded hw and gave weekly recitation quizzes, we never had any of that but we did have 4 midterms (whereas the other sections only had 2). In terms of the usefulness of recitation, I would say that definitely depends on your TA. Of course, if you have weekly recitation quizzes, then you are required to show up. Otherwise, it’s up to you…I actually did go to all the recitations (just not lectures) b/c we went over a lot of hw and past final problems, which was very useful.<br>
And yes, I basically followed the syllabus, read the textbook, did relevant hw questions and practice finals, etc. And I am by no means encouraging anyone to skip class haha…I agree that it’s definitely a bad habit but it ultimately comes down to whether you feel like you will actually gain something from attending lecture. Good luck (and if you do happen to have Powers, feel free to ask any additional questions b/c I had him for 114 and 240 so I’m pretty familiar with his grading and test questions!)</p>
<p>In all honestly, Penn is not necessarily the best place to receive a top-notch engineering education (I know many people are going to debate me on this but this is my true opinion!). In general, all the Ivies (except Cornell) are not particularly strong in their engineering departments. Of course I don’t know any of your other qualifications, but based on course load alone, I think you are qualified for Penn engineering. M&T is really selective so I can’t really say anything about that. </p>
<p>In terms of whether you’d fit in, I would say that depends on what you’re looking for. Many Penn engineers are not necessarily looking to do engineering in the future; they tend to be more pre-professional (pre-med or pre-business for example). I said before that I think Penn isn’t a top-notch engineering school but this is solely in regards to it’s academics. Many prospective engineers choose Penn over say, Carnegie Mellon or Cornell (which have stronger engineering programs and less selectivity) simply b/c of the amazing networking opportunities and alumni relations that Penn has. So I would definitely consider what you want to pursue in the future/ your interests before making a decision!</p>
<p>Hi! I am a rising high school Senior and will be applying to schools in the fall! This thread has probably been the most helpful, in my opinion. I love how we get to talk to actual Penn students! This is my dream school, and hopefully I can get in for fall 2013.</p>
<p>I have a few questions regarding some of the programs here. I am very interested in science (particularly chem/bio)/engineering and business, so I would really like to do a dual degree or get into one of the prestigious programs (M&T or LSM). How would I apply for the programs? Don’t you first just chose one school to apply to; however, these programs cross schools. Secondly, what is the difference between the two programs, in terms of workload, classes, opportunities, etc.? Speaking of workload, how many hours per semester would someone in those programs, or anyone in general take per semester? </p>
<p>Summary:
How do you apply for the special programs? Under which school would you apply to?
What is the difference between M&T vs. LSM?
How many hours per semester do you take, on average?</p>
<p>1.) You would directly apply to one of the programs but then you will also be offered an option of what school you would like to apply to if you don’t get into the program (in your case, it would be wharton vs college if you’re applying to LSM or wharton vs engineering if you’re applying to M&T). If you’re an ED applicant, you can also opt to select neither which means they’ll either accept you to the dual-degree program you applied to or reject you altogether. However, if they do reject you, you can still apply RD to Penn (just not dual degree programs).</p>
<p>2.) LSM is a dual degree where you choose a science major in the college and then a concentration in Wharton whereas for M&T, you choose a major in engineering and then a concentration in Wharton. LSM seems to be for people who are interested in potentially going into some management position in the biotech industry or public policy but I know a lot of students also come out of there and pursue MDs. M&T, on the other hand, is more geared towards students who may want to pursue more technical fields…it’s very hard to say what kind of jobs/opportunities M&T graduates take on since it opens many doors. The general reputation is that M&T is the more rigorous program b/c students have to complete both engineering and Wharton requirements (the engineering requirements are actually quite stringent and rigorous compared to the college requirements, which are significantly more flexible). I guess it ultimately comes down to science & business vs engineering & business.<br>
3.) I’m in the Vagelos MLS program and I take 5 cu per semester. I know that a lot of engineering students take 5.5 or 6 but 5 seems to be the average number for students in the college or Wharton.</p>
<p>There’s an option on the Common Application that lets you apply directly to the dual degree program. It’ll be obvious.</p>
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<p>M&T is Wharton and engineering. LSM is Wharton and biology/chemistry. M&T generally drives students into eventual positions in which they manage the use of technology. LSM is designed for stuff like healthcare banking, big pharma, etc.</p>
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<p>Generally anywhere from 18-21 per semester I’d guess</p>
<p>Oh awesome! Thanks for answering my questions! Here’s just one more:
How selective (about how many students are there) is each of the programs (M&T vs LMS)? I think the LMS site said about 20 students are in it? That’s kind of intense!</p>
<p>Y’all have been very helpful and I’m kinda excited about applications, even if they are sort of daunting :)</p>
<p>@rocnation951: Looking solely at acceptance rates, yes, Wharton is the most selective of the 4 schools followed by the college, engineering and nursing. However, how difficult it is to get accepted to one school vs another depends a lot on the applicant. For example, if your strengths are in your leadership/community service, you may have a better chance of being accepted at Wharton than engineering.</p>
<p>Cheapest way to get to New Jersey would be the train. The train station is located at the corner of 30th and Market, about a 15 minute walk from campus. From there, you can take the Trenton line all the way to the end, and re-direct to multiple Jersey destinations.</p>
<p>M&T shoots for a class size of 50 per year. I’ll take your word on LSM being 20 or so. Keep in mind that M&T is broader than LSM, so more people apply. Acceptance rates are NOT released for the dual-degree programs, so I can’t comment on selectivity. All are highly prestigious.</p>
<p>I’m an incoming LSM freshman, and the target class size is around 25 kids. I think (myself included) there are 25 in the incoming LSM class, but I know other classes have 25-28.</p>
<ol>
<li>When do I declare a minor? Do I enter the university on major x and then declare the minor?</li>
<li>The penn site says that it offers minors to people who are majoring in related fields, so if im doing a BBB major, I can’t do a minor in Economics then?</li>
</ol>
<p>EDIT:
Forgot to post the gratitude haha where are my manners?</p>
<p>You enter the university undeclared. The major you selected in your application is used simply to place you with an adviser and give you an orientation group to travel with during NSO.</p>
<p>You are allowed to declare a major or minor whenever you would like. Typically, people declare their majors in sophomore year, and then as they move closer to senior year, they recognize what fields they have a minor in. Often, minors just kind of “happen” … you don’t set off to do it, but one day an adviser points out, “hey you have a philosophy minor!”</p>
<p>There are no rules regarding minor declaration among College departments. I have plenty of friends who majored in stuff like biology and minored in music or art history. If you want to do the BBB major, economics could be a very interesting minor - you could set yourself up for medical school, graduate school or even private industry!</p>
<p>I have another question regarding the LSM program.</p>
<ol>
<li>How rigorous is the program? Do you know people who are doing the program?</li>
<li>Do people drop out a lot from the program because of the rigour?</li>
</ol>
<p>I’m a high school senior and cannot take BC Calc at my school this year due to a scheduling conflict. Does the University of Pennsylvania offer a BC Calc class and can I take the single class without being a regular enrolled student at the university? (I live in the area).</p>
<p>To student who have taken math 240: is diagnolization optional or not? I found some exams that cover the topic, but according to the syllabus, it’s not required.</p>
<p>@focus08: I am not in LSM but I know people who are so I will try to answer your questions as best as I can based on what I’ve heard from them!
1.) It is very selective (only about 25 students enrolled per class) but I wouldn’t say rigorous necessarily. Most LSM students choose to major in biology in the college along w/their Wharton degree. This path is not particularly challenging but LSM can definitely be rigorous if you say, major in physics along w/the Wharton degree. In other words, the core requirements are not particularly rigorous but it all depends on how much you want to challenge yourself!</p>
<p>2.) I haven’t heard of anyone dropping out yet </p>
<p>@Cardgames:</p>
<p>I took math 240 last spring and I would say it is NOT optional. Although it says optional on the syllabus, I believe we actually had a few midterm questions and one final exam question that had to do with it.</p>