<p>LSM is my top choice. </p>
<p>Can someone provide some insight in the program? How is it like? How competitive is it compared to other dual-degree programs?</p>
<p>Also, what specifically are they looking for in the "Why LSM" essay?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Hey, I'm in the college, not LSM, but my two cents on the program is that it is VERY difficult from what I've heard. If you like challenges my friend, well then if you get accepted to it, you're in for a big one. Students in "The Vag" usually take a minimum of 6cu per semester, and there is very little choice in say electives or really options of any sort. So if you're up for it, then more power to you.</p>
<p>hm we call lsm the vag? i thought that was just mls... and mls is super ridiculously hard (this is the biochemistry program)</p>
<p>in any case, lsm is not a true joint or dual degree program because you only graduate with one degree from either school, not a joint from both or a dual.</p>
<p>but in order to complete the requirements for lsm i'd imagine that there are indeed few elective choices / options.</p>
<p>as far as the why essay - i would think you'd need to describe what you want to accomplish in your career and how lsm in particular would help you get there more so than another program like m+t, or just a plain wharton / engineering / college degree.</p>
<p>patpatt, you may be confusing LSM with Vagelos Scholars which are two different things...</p>
<p>My bad if i am...I've just heard people talk about "the Vagelos Life Sciences & Management Program"...I assumed they were one and the same. The one I'm talking about is the 4 year program where you get your master's or something by the end of it...</p>
<p>All I know is that anyone willing to go into the Vagelos Building is a brave person haha</p>
<p>mls is the molecular life sciences program (aka vagelos scholars), the one where you get the bs + ms in biochemistry in 4 years. it's been around for awhile.</p>
<p>lsm is the program in life sciences and management, which offers either a wharton degree or a college degree - honestly i'd say it's too new to give good feedback, the first students are only sophomores now.</p>
<p>Matt's rules for threads about "Vagelos":</p>
<p>1) Someone will always confuse the LSM program (Life Sciences and Management - a major in the college with a "minor" in Wharton or a Wharton degree with a "minor" in the college) with the original program (a 4 year biochemistry research degree that ends in a masters but strongly encourages MD/PHD). The LSM program is in its second year now, I believe. It's very small (25 kids) and no one can really say what the attrition rate is. The "Vagelos" program is larger, WAY harder, and loses almost all students by graduation - but it's a research track program and research isn't for everyone.</p>
<p>2) Someone will always ask about the programs, and no one can answer, because LSM is too new, and Vagelos students are too busy studying.</p>
<p>3) "Vagelos" on its own refers to the research/biochemistry program. "LSM" refers to the Wharton one. Yes, the man Vagelos has a big ego.</p>
<p>My bad for the confusion...freshman mistake haha.</p>
<p>i have a couple of friends in the program. it's not quite a dual degree program (although everyone in it pretends it is), but it provides an interesting balance of science and business. a lot of people people in it are premed....you either get a bs with a college minor or a ba with the wharton core...but everyone ends up in the bs track.</p>
<p>The Vag = Vagelos Scholars Program in Molecular Life Sciences
LSM = Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management</p>
<p>I'm in LSM so I can answer your questions about the program. </p>
<p>It's incredibly convenient that we get to take both science and business classes and have everything count for the program, and also examine the intersection of the two through the proseminar, lectures, internships, etc. There are a lot of premeds but also people who are just interested in the pharma industry or like science but not enough to pursue it full-time. That's why it's convenient that there are two tracks - although it's true that almost everyone has switched to the business track, or plans on it.</p>
<p>It's probably less competitive than the other programs just because it's very new (the class of 2010 was its inaugural class). Over 200 students applied last year, about 35 were admitted, and 25 enrolled. But it's also a self-selective pool of applicants.</p>
<p>I don't think they're looking for anything too specific in the essay. If you look into why the program was created and what the proseminar is about it seems to focus on health care and pharma management, but I applied explicitly saying my goal was something totally unrelated. Lots of us say when we read the program's description we thought "wow, that's exactly what I want to do." So explain what it is you want to do (related to science and business) and how LSM can help you achieve your goals.</p>
<p>Feel free to send me a PM if you have any specific questions.</p>