<p>Hey 2014, first off, congrats! I am a current sophomore in the Vagelos program here to answer any questions you may have about the program or the sciences (biochem, chem, phys, etc.) at penn. Or even if you have general questions about penn, I'd be happy to help!</p>
<p>~chenpenn12</p>
<p>I am interested in this program and was accepted as a Chemistry major. What courses do Vagelos scholars generally take in their first semester?
I have been in contact with Dr. Lu who has told me quite a bit about the program, but I think it would be beneficial for me to hear more from current students. How much time do you have to take courses in the humanities?
Also, I was wondering how the selection process for this program works. I know it is by invitation, but if have any other insight into the process, I would appreciate your advice. I will have a lot of AP credit in science. Thanks!</p>
<p>Hey there. First off, the program is by invitation only. Dr. Lu looks at incoming freshman and selects those he believes to be the “cream of the crop” and interested in pursuing research careers in the sciences. There is no real “standard” for students to be accepted since the number and caliber of students accepted each year varies.</p>
<p>Also, if you have already been accepted, it may be useful to know that the program does not accept AP credit. You may use them to fulfill your credits to graduate but cannot use them to fulfill required Vagelos classes. They may not be any use since Vagelos students are already required to take more classes then required to graduate. As a Vagelos student, you are exempt from your first two semesters of introductory biology as you are assumed to have a background in AP biology. However, most students do not take a biology course until their second year when they start in intermediate level courses. Some students also choose to opt out of either one semester or both semesters of introductory chemistry and start in second semester chemistry or organic chemistry, as most students arrive with AP chemistry credit. Freshman are required to take the engineering section of physics with lab. Many students also test out of the first semester of calculus and take calculus II or III their first semester. This gives a pretty general outline of where Vagelos students usually start in their science and math classes. For the full outline of required Vagelos classes, here is the link to the website:
[Vagelos</a> Scholars Program in Molecular Life Sciences](<a href=“Biochemistry – Penn Arts & Sciences”>Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences Program – Penn Arts & Sciences)</p>
<p>As for humanitites classes, all Vagelos students must fulfill all the general college sector and foundational requirements, described here:
[The</a> College](<a href=“http://www.college.upenn.edu/curriculum/index.php#general]The”>http://www.college.upenn.edu/curriculum/index.php#general)
Thus, we make time for these classes not only because many of us want to take them but also because it is required. Freshman in the college are also required to take a writing seminar first semester. If you look at the vagelos description website, Dr. Lu gives you an approximation of the credits you have free each semester to take these courses. </p>
<p>If everything I have described sounds like your kind of program, then you should be excited to be joining. If, however, you are unsure about anything, let me help with a more personal description of the program. This is a very academically challenging program, and you will have to sacrifice some other college experiences to continue in the program. However, it is not impossible. We Vagelos students, believe it or not, have friends, go out, get involved with clubs, volunteer, work, pursue humanities interests, even get to relax from time to time. So in the end, if you have the interest, it all depends on how motivated you are to survive the program and receive the rewards in the end. </p>
<p>Hope that helps!</p>
<p>I’m interested in the Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences Program. I was wondering about the combined B.A./M.S. route. What fields can I earn my M.S. in? What about the B.A.? Would I have to take the GRE in order to qualify for the M.S.?</p>
<p>Your BA must be in either Biochemistry or Chemistry.</p>
<p>With the MS, the “easiest” route is to get it in Chemistry. You can get it in really any other science department, but it may be significantly harder. The Chem MS coincides with alot of Vagelos MLS requirements, allowing for overlap and double counting of classes. </p>
<p>No GRE is needed.</p>
<p>Hey!</p>
<p>Do you know any international students in the vagelos MLS, or there is absolutely none of them. I am asking it, because I am a current Junior* from Europe, and I am very interested in this program. What do you think is needed to get accepted as an international?
In this year I hopefully can get 5s in AP (Chem,Bio,Calc BC,Phys C M&EM). In the next year I plan on continuing these, especially forcing Chemistry, may I can go to the Olympics. And taking German AP test to fulfill the language requirement.
It worth consideration that my school doesn’t offer AP courses, albeit our curriculum includes “specializations” ,those cover the AP curricula or even exceed them.
The school is not international anyway, only Hungarian speaking children attend it, so my English is not that good, is it eliminating me from Dr. Lu’s ? consideration?</p>
<pre><code>Thank you for answering any of these!
HaneNorbert
</code></pre>