<p>Yesterday I got a call from my regional admissions director, and she wanted to know about my academic interests. I applied to Wharton, but on my application she could see that I had a "wide range of interests." She asked if I had ever concidered applying to CAS and I said I had thought about it but through my various math classes and my calculus bc class I learned about the business applications of calculus and I realized that I like applied math and business. Also I take an intro to business class at a community college and I indicated to her that I was interested in continuing my study of business. She seemed interested and thanked me for explaining it, said she would contact me with any questions and to do the same. </p>
<p>My question is, what does that all mean? She has many of the counties around Philadelphia that get a lot of Penn applications and decisions are in 6 days so I know she's busy. Is she interested in me as an applicant? Was she trying to figure out if I would like to switch to CAS? Was she just genuinely interested and would like to clarify that before making a decision about me? My application is pretty strong overall, but then again it is Wharton. Thanks for any input...</p>
<p>If she actually took the time to contact you and ask you to clarify your interests, it’s definitely a GOOD SIGN. Especially considering the fact that now is the time that they’re doing the final “sculpting” of the class. Obviously, the adcoms saw something special in you. It’s not a sure thing, but I’d be very optimistic about the 12th. :D</p>
<p>" Is she interested in me as an applicant? " She’s not taking time out of her busy workload to just chat. You’re definitely in the running. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Also, I’m worried that it’s a bad thing that she had to ask me about me interests. Couldn’t that mean that she interpreted my application as being more so interested in something else, even though business is really my interest?</p>
<p>Why not email her back a thank you for calling, tell her you enjoyed speaking with her, but that after you got off the call you were a bit confused about whether perhaps she was suggesting that you to consider CAS. </p>
<p>Then tell her u love penn, are excited about the possibility of going there, applied to Wharton because you thought it might be a good fit for you, BUT IF FOR ANY REASON YOU MIGHT NOT BE ADMITTED TO WHARTON YOU WOULD LOVE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR CAS IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.</p>
<p>I think only that one admissions officeris doing that because on a previous thread somebody else also got a phone call and he was in the state of PA.</p>
<p>I actually had the same call! Well. I got an email and then he called my Guidance Counselor. They asked me if I had heard of the Jerome Fisher M&T program and said that my interests were a “perfect match” for the program instead of just Wharton. You’re lucky that they didnt make you write another essay like I had to explaining “Why Wharton?” </p>
<p>This probably means they were trying to squeeze some of us out of the ED Wharton applicant pool. =</p>
<p>^Congrats! You can probably expect admissions then, on Dec 12th - considering that they want you to consider one of the most selective undergrad programs at Penn!</p>
<p>Oh, that’s really cool. It means they have so many applicants that they really like that they’re trying to redistribute the overflow. Nice job, guy.</p>
<p>to respond to some of the earlier questions. I did have an interview, it was about 2 weeks ago and from what I could tell, it went well. I did not list CAS as a second choice, I didn’t even know that you could, and honestly after thinking about it I decided awhile back that I want to study economics/finance. I still don’t know how to interprete her call though. Hopefully I wasn’t out of the running for Wharton and she was just calling me to see if I wanted to switch to CAS. And also to respond to thechor374 congrats! I considered that program but I thought it was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to selective.</p>
<p>Some adcoms want to talk to the applicant to get a feel before they want to push someone through. It is usually a good thing no matter what the question and answer were as long as the student came across as thoughtful or whatever they look for. It is essentially an interview. Adcoms have doubts about their own gutfeelings and so they try to make sure they are right about a candidate before they fight for them.</p>
<p>Don’t overthink. Send an email thanking her for the call and state that you really want to attend Penn. Don’t discuss changing your mind about wharton vs Penn but suggest you look forward to taking a lot of classes in CAS to support your math needs. OTOH, I really don’t know if it comes across as changing your mind if you suggest going to CAS if there are no seats in Wharton. </p>
<p>If attending Penn is your number 1 goal, then you can make that clear saying if the reason I don’t get into Penn is because there are not enough openings in Wharton and only way to go is going to CAS, then I am ok with it.</p>