<p>I am a junior and there is a program at Penn that I think is my 1st choice, but I also really like MIT and Harvard. Now obviously it's not an easy thing to get into these schools and I would really be happy at pretty much any of them, however my tops are Penn and MIT. I don't know if I could get into any but I have heard that my chances at Penn are MUCH greater if I apply ed. Is it worth it to not ever have a shot at harvard/mit though? Is Penn FANTASTIC? Also I'm wondering, is it possible for me to apply for this specific program only early at Penn and tell them that yes I am still interested in the regular school but not for ED, and is it possible to go to the school of engineering at Penn but still get a major or minor in finance at wharton as well as a degree from Penn engineering? </p>
<p>Also I'm wondering if my chances at MIT go up if I apply early action. And is MIT actually as intense as people say? (As in I would die there?) </p>
<p>Go to the MIT board look up the EA results for this year. See the level of student they were deferring. Then you have to do a separate search and try to figure out which deferred students were accepted. I don't think anyone has put this together yet.</p>
<p>I wouldn't limit your options by applying ED to Penn. Try visiting the schools to discern where you could see yourself going for sure. And as far I know, you cannot attend the SEAS and Wharton at the same time. Penn's engineering school is good, but I think there are better ones worth seeking out. In other words, the ED to the SEAS is not worth it.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Penn is notorious for accepting half their entering class early. If you are positive about Penn, apply early because it is a clear advantage. Otherwise, don't. It's binding.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, MIT is extremely intense, but if you are a hard-worker and generally well-balanced person you won't "die"</p></li>
<li><p>Brown and Harvard (my alma matters) are very different from Penn and MIT. I would suggest researching them more thoroughly before committing yourself to a binding ED application.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>lol from my expereince, go with the safer bet. Dont try your luck at RD unless your REALLY REALLY want to go to HArvard or PTon and if you have an AMAZING app. I say this because admissions are just so erratic now that you should just go ED at a good school and hope for the best imo</p>
<p>ok those are good points.
do you know if I am able to say to Penn that I am interested in applying for a specific program early, and that I am still interested in SEAS but NOT for early action? I.E. Can I apply early to the program but RD to the school as my second choice?</p>
<p>
[quote]
lol from my expereince, go with the safer bet. Dont try your luck at RD unless your REALLY REALLY want to go to HArvard or PTon and if you have an AMAZING app. I say this because admissions are just so erratic now that you should just go ED at a good school and hope for the best imo
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I disagree. "Amazing" is subjective...you can have mediocre awards and scores and still get into HYPS, because trophies and numbers don't get you into the schools (nor do they get you rejected). </p>
<p>Only do ED if you absolutely love the school and can't see yourself anywhere else. Otherwise, EA is the way...consider UChicago and Cal-tech in addition to MIT.</p>
<p>ham, in terms of the curriculum possibilities at Penn, you definitely can take courses in Wharton as a student in SEAS (School of Engineering and Applied Science), and vice versa for students in Wharton. In fact, Penn has long made this an institutional priority with its "One University" policy. Under that policy, all undergrads are strongly encouraged to take courses in more than one of the undergraduate schools (College of Arts and Sciences, Wharton, SEAS, and Nursing), as well as in most of the graduate/professional schools (Law School, Annenberg School for Communication, School of Design, School of Social Policy and Practice, Graduate School of Education, etc.), without the need for any special dispensation. Also, it's not uncommon for students to pursue dual degrees in two of the undergrad schools even without being in one of the formal dual degree programs (e.g., M&T).</p>
<p>So, for example, even if you weren't admitted to the M&T program, you could still easily take Wharton courses (including finance) as an SEAS student, and you could even pursue dual degrees from both SEAS and Wharton.</p>
<p>Be aware, though, that to pursue a dual degree in Wharton while a student in one of the other undergrad schools--as opposed to just taking Wharton courses--you'd have to meet the same minimum GPA requirement as students seeking an internal transfer into Wharton from one of Penn's other undergrad schools. That minimum varies from year to year depending on the number of spots available (see #14):</p>
<p>
[quote]
Also I'm wondering, is it possible for me to apply for this specific program only early at Penn and tell them that yes I am still interested in the regular school but not for ED
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I know that they give you the option to be considered for admission into one of the two schools that make up the joint program. As for whether that consideration is done ED or RD, I'm not sure. You can and should ask the Penn admissions rep for your area.</p>
<p>
[quote]
and is it possible to go to the school of engineering at Penn but still get a major or minor in finance at wharton as well as a degree from Penn engineering?
<p>
[quote]
Penn is notorious for accepting half their entering class early. If you are positive about Penn, apply early because it is a clear advantage. Otherwise, don't. It's binding.
<p>Brown doesn't seem to release its figures (rarely an auspicious sign) but as you can see, Penn is in good company with ED class stuffing. 47% vs 43% for such similarly dubious ivies as Columbia and Yale...</p>
<p>You should apply ED to Penn only if you are really really really certain it is the place you want to be at. I think that if there is any uncertainty in the matter, you should apply RD Penn and save ED for a school you like more.</p>
<p>If Penn is your first choice, I definately think it's worth applying early and (hopefully) benefitting from the higher ED acceptance rate. It may even be worth it if it's not a clear first choice but if you know you would love Penn. Afterall, Harvard's 7 something percent admissions rate is likely to go down next year ... and I don't think MIT will be easier to get into either.</p>
<p>ok that is a good point- I should try to be as realistic as possible. </p>
<p>I think that this is what I am going to do- apply early to the M&T program but have my backup plan be RD. I KNOW that I would like that. I would still LOVE Penn not in the M&T program, but I would like to consider other options besides just Penn engineering. But the good thing is that it seems like I will still be able to get a degree at wharton if I go into SEAS...</p>
<p>I know ppl have posted stuff about this and that it is kind of hard, but just HOW hard is it to get a dual degree? And if I put my mind to it, will I definitely be able to go 2 degrees or even transfer into Wharton? Because I do not want to commit to Penn and pay $$$$$$$$$ to go there and then not be able to end up with a degree from Wharton!!! So what is the risk factor that I will NOT be able to do this? I really want to!</p>
<p>First, even if you aren't in a dual degree program with Wharton, you can still take Wharton courses as an SEAS student (and many of them do) without jumping through any hoops.</p>
<p>Second, to internally transfer to Wharton or pursue a dual degree with Wharton, you'd need to have a minimum GPA, which varies from year to year depending on the number of spaces available. Scroll down to #14 to see what recent GPA cutoffs have been:</p>
<p>Do you know if when accepting transfer students, if they pretty much ONLY consider your GPA and not other things (such as e.c. activities, business involvement, and course load?) It would kind of make sense to take easy classes (requirement fillers like foreign language, beginning math, econ 1, etc) freshman year then, right? Also if I am a student at SEAS it will be no problem to take the required Math and Econ classes right? </p>
<p>Do you have a link to the general requirements at Penn, for SEAS/Wharton in particular? Do you have to take Bio, Chem, and Physics all in your first year @ SEAS?</p>
ham, you should read the entire page to which I linked for answers to these questions, including the following:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Applying for Internal Transfer or Dual Degree is a competitive process. Our decisions are based strictly on the applicants cumulative GPA, the completion of prerequisites, and availability of seats. We accept as many students as we have seats for. Students are accepted in descending GPA order. No additional factors are considered.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
<p>Do you have a link to the general requirements at Penn, for SEAS/Wharton in particular? Do you have to take Bio, Chem, and Physics all in your first year @ SEAS?
</p>
<p>The web site of each undergraduate school contains it curricular requirements:</p>