<p>Did you take ALL honors and advanced classes in all academic subjects throughout your high school or just in the math and science areas? In terms of the transcript for Wharton, is it more important to have high GPA than rigor?</p>
<p>I see many posts that say Wharton only cares for Math, but that seems very myopic.</p>
<p>Thank you for your help!</p>
<p>I’m a prospective student, but it’s quite obvious to me from my reading and from the posted decisions that Wharton looks for both. After all, it’s the most prestigious undergraduate business school in the world.</p>
<p>yes it would seem that they would want both. It is so hard to find the balance between rigor and GPA.</p>
<p>any other comments about rigor from current wharton students or friends of wharton students? </p>
<p>Also did you take all AP sciences and math classes offered at your school (or would have completed them by end of senior year at hs?)</p>
<p>I know ED has a huge advantage for CAS, how much of a difference does it make for Wharton? Do they also take 1/2 of Wharton class in ED?</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>My son who graduated from undergrad Wharton did. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I remember this question was repeatedly asked in most college fairs, and the answer is that they expect high GPAs in all the most rigorous courses.</p>
<p>Applying ED at Penn does give you advantages and Wharton is no different.</p>
<p>Thank you cbreeze. </p>
<p>D is at a very tough private school (top 15%-20% get into ivies + ivies plus caliber schools.) Even regular classes are considered tough by area colleges, so I was wondering if she could take 3 out of 5 academic classes at Honors levels and keep 2 regular classes and still be competitive for Wharton (transcript wise) if she maintains a 4.0. </p>
<p>I know what you mean - this is the billion dollar question in high school students minds that are aiming for the top schools. And one that most adm. officers simply reply with - “we want both.”</p>
<p>Will your daughter still be able to be in that top 15-20% if she just takes regular classes. In most schools honors are weighted higher and AP even higher, so even if she got all A’s she may not be able to get into the top 20%. What year are your talking about her senior year? The most academically rigorous year is usually junior year however they do not want to see a drop in levels, looks like lack of motivation. My child always took all honors and junior year took 3 APs(most allowed) and senior year 5 APs along with 3 other honors classes. Does she really want Wharton?
This is the perfect question for your daughter’s guidance counselor, I am sure they know what is expected to get into these schools and your daughter’s school just may have enough of a reputation that she would not need all honors & AP classes. Essays and standard test scores are a huge factor also. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Thanks citylights919; yes i should probably check with her GC. D is only a freshman now, but i want her to have a 4 year plan; so she doesn’t end up taking less honors classes as she progresses through the grades. i think if she took 3/5 as honors and got all A’s; in freshman year and increased it by 1 honors class and did well she would be in the top 15% as no one she knows is taking more than that. </p>
<p>D wants an undergrad business program so she wants to aim for Wharton now. She has a great aptitude for business.</p>
<p>btw are you in wharton?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>
Wow. My son at that age had no clue what business was. He also went to a very competitive private school so most of his courses were essentially picked for him since they represented his school’s requirements for graduation. He was a good student so all his core classes were honors and APs in his jr. and sr. years. His school did not rank but I am sure the Penn’s representative for your area (you will meet him/her at college info sessions either at your school or at local college fairs) will be very familiar with your school’s rigor and reputation.</p>
<p>Don’t be surprised if your D changes her mind about Wharton and business in the next few years. My S applied to Wharton only because he didn’t know what he wanted and a finance degree seemed flexible enough because each industry and in turn each company has a business or finance department. Now he works at a private equity firm and I am sure “private equity” was not in his vocabulary when he started Wharton.</p>