Ben Franklin Scholars/International Relations

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
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<p>Wow, I think this is the first time I’ve been to this forum but I felt like saying “hi” from the Cornell side of CC. I love you Penn people because I feel that at least in Minnesota, people don’t appreciate the names of Cornell or UPenn. Cornell gets “huh?” and UPenn gets “public like U of Minnesota?” Penn sounds like a great school. I wish I knew more about it when I was looking at colleges.</p>

<p>Which brings me to my point. One of my best friends moved away to Papua New Guinea when I was in third grade. A few months ago I heard he is going to UPenn as a Ben Franklin Scholar. I was so happy to hear that someone I knew not only decided to apply to an Ivy but got in (I’ve never heard of any from my HS). I was just wondering what this Ben Franklin Scholar Program is and how difficult it is to get into. I want to congratulate him when he gets to the states, but I don’t know what it is, or for that matter, the quality of the International Relations Dept.</p>

<p>Thanks for any info. From a Cornellian 09, I feel your woes about people misunderstanding the quality and caliber of your school.</p>

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<p>Every spring, approximately 100 incoming freshmen are named Benjamin Franklin Scholars. Selection is based on high school records, overall excellence of the Penn application and other signs of serious academic interests. Students who were not selected on admission to Penn may apply to the program after one semester at Penn and as late as the end of their sophomore year. </p>

<p>BF Scholars take a number of designated seminars and do a capstone research project...maintain a 3.0.</p>

<p>IB I cannot speak to directly. </p>

<p>I have enjoyed every BF Seminar that I have taken....very challenging with great faculty.</p>