Dual Degree, Double Major, etc???

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I'm quite confused about Penn's policy on having two concentrations...</p>

<p>From what I understand, there's technically 3 possible routes.</p>

<p>DUAL DEGREE: one of those prestigious programs (Huntsman, Vagelos, Jerome Fisher, etc) where you can obtain two bachelor's degree from two different colleges. You apply to these programs.</p>

<p>DOUBLE MAJOR: Even though you got into say, Wharton, but you're still allowed to take classes at the College and get two bachelor's degrees.</p>

<p>TRANSFER WITHIN UNIVERSITY: If you originally got accepted to the College, you can transfer to the College of Engineering and get two bachelors.</p>

<p>I'm not sure if I'm just stupid, but all of these three sound pretty similar to me?!?! I mean dual degree I sort of understand but the transferring vs double major I really don't get. Why bother going through the application process if Penn allows you to take classes from another college without having to transfer in the first place?</p>

2

<p>It may seem a bit confusing at first, but here’s how it works:</p>

<p>DUAL DEGREE
a. Coordinated: You apply for this program as a senior in high school. You can also transfer into Vagelos, VIPER, M&T, or Health Care Management after your freshman year (but not Huntsman). You receive 2 degrees and the program’s curriculum helps you to finish both of them in a timely manner.
b. Uncoordinated: You apply for this after your freshman year or during your sophomore year. You complete two degrees in any two schools. Must fulfill all requirements of each school for each degree.</p>

<p>DOUBLE MAJOR
Wharton: Multiple concentrations. You fulfill the four core classes for each concentration.
College: You major in two college subjects.
Note - a double major/concentration is contained to one school. You don’t need to apply to dual concentrate/major, you just fulfill the requirements outlined by the school in order to do so. Your academic advisor will guide you through the process.</p>

<p>Internal transfer: you can apply to transfer to a different school after your freshman year or during your sophomore year.</p>

<p>Regarding your last question - you can take classes in other schools (for example, Marketing in Wharton if you’re in engineering, nursing, or the college) but you can’t get a degree in that subject unless you’re in that school.</p>

<p>If you have any more questions or I wasn’t clear, let me know - I’ll try to answer your question.</p>

3

<p>from what I understand, if you’re a student who is from another university transferring INTO PENN (not internal transfer within the university), you’re not allowed to do internal transfers after you get in.</p>

<p>Then how do transfer students do dual majors in two different colleges if they are only allowed to apply to one college on their transfer application? Can they pursue the uncoordinated dual degree program on their own in their sophomore year without internally transferring?</p>

<p>… or is internally transferring to get a 2nd degree the same thing as an uncoordinated dual degree program?</p>

4

<p>

The policy on that has recently changed. While you still cannot transfer internally after you’ve externally transferred into Penn, you CAN apply for uncoordinated dual degrees if you transferred into Penn during sophomore year (see the second bullet point under “ELIGIBILITY”):</p>

<p><a href=“http://spike.wharton.upenn.edu/ugrprogram/advising/internaltransfer_dualdegree/Internal_Transfer_&_Dual_Degree_Application_Information.pdf[/url]”>http://spike.wharton.upenn.edu/ugrprogram/advising/internaltransfer_dualdegree/Internal_Transfer_&_Dual_Degree_Application_Information.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>so (and I know i sound repetitive right now but just for clarification’s sake) if I understand you correctly, a student can come from another university and transfer into CAS sophomore year and then still apply for the uncoordinated dual degree program to double major in a science and business without having to transfer into Wharton? Does this mean the student will receive two degrees? (if so, which schools? both CAS and Wharton?)</p>

<p>If this option of the uncoordinated dual degree is available, why do people even bother transferring into wharton?</p>

6

<p>^ That’s correct. However, being accepted into an uncoordinated dual degree program with Wharton is easier said than done, and requires the completion of a competitive application process. In essence, it’s the equivalent of getting accepted for an internal transfer into Wharton.</p>