ED Wharton and Engineering Dual-Degree: Do I have what it takes?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hey guys, </p>

<p>So I'm planning on applying early decision to UPenn for its amazing business and technology dual-degree program. I know it is highly selective, which is why I'm applying ED to improve my chances (along with the fact that I absolutely fell in love with the school when I visited). Anyway, here is what I have to offer:</p>

<p>My cumulative GPA is somewhere around a 4.2 weighted. </p>

<p>SAT: 2280 (composite) </p>

<p>CR-730
M-750
W-800</p>

<p>Freshman classes and Sem1/Sem2 grades:</p>

<p>Honors Physics B+/A-
Honors Geometry A+/A
English I A-/A-
Debate (1 semester) A
Computer Class (1 semester) A
Honors Spanish II A+/A
World History I B+/A-</p>

<p>Sophomore classes and Sem1/Sem2 grades:</p>

<p>Honors Chemistry A/A-
Honors Pre-Calculus A-/B+
AP European History B+/A
Honors English II A/A-
Honors Spanish III A/A-
AP Computer Science B+/A-</p>

<p>Junior classes and Sem1/[current]Sem2 grades:</p>

<p>AP Spanish Language A/A
AP US History B+/A-
Honors English III A-/A
AP Calculus AB A/A+
AP Biology A-/A-</p>

<p>Approved senior classes:</p>

<p>AP Spanish Literature
AP English Literature
AP Calculus C
AP Physics C
Study of Visual Arts
AP Macro Economics
Bel Canto (choir)</p>

<p>As far as my extracurriculars go, here is a short breakdown:</p>

<p>Volleyball: I have been playing every year of high school now. JI was on V in frosh/soph, and am on varsity this year and next year. I was the JV co-captain last year. I spend about 11 hours a week for 15 weeks (entire spring season) playing, and I do plan on continuing at the intramural level in college.</p>

<p>Global Empowerment and Outreach Club: I am a very active member of our schools GEO club, which seeks to spread awareness about different Millennium Development Goals throughout the entire school through raising funds and promoting activism. I spend at least 2-3 hours every week working on tasks and was even selected by the officers to be the 'Task Force Head' for the Publicity division of 'Fall Week,' the week during second semester that is entirely dedicated to our club's activities. This was a huge task, requiring a lot of leadership in organizing meetings, assignments, and assembling ideas. I love this club and am definitely running for an officer position (perhaps secretary or treasurer?) next year.</p>

<p>Spanish Honor Society: I qualified for induction into this society last year for excellence in Honors level Spanish. Ever since, I am one of the main publishers in our school's biannual school-wide Spanish Newspaper. Also, every week I tutor a sophomore peer of mine who is currently struggling in Spanish II. I spend about 1 and a half hours weekly, helping him with assignments and time management skills. Since he is an ADHD patient, working with him has been a real challenge, but seeing him improve steadily has made the experience a rewarding one.</p>

<p>Biology Club: I am the Vice President and co-founder of this club. Our purpose is mainly to widen the horizons for students truly interested in biology by going beyond the prescribed curriculum of the AP or Honors classes. We also tailor our activities, such as fun labs, outings, and work in our school's greenhouse, to students who are simply interested wish to crave their hunger to learn.</p>

<p>National Honor Society: I was inducted into the society last year for academic excellence. I have been a very active member and have embraced one opportunity in specific: tutoring children at a local charter school, KIPP Heartwood, which caters to the underprivileged. Every other Saturday or so, I visit the academy and tutor a motivated student for two hours, usually in elementary or middle-school mathematics or science. Aside from tutoring, I spend approximately 1.5 hours a week attending meetings and working on different club projects. I also intend on running for an officer position (Vice President) for next year.</p>

<p>Although I could also talk about my involvement in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club and Chemistry club, I don't want to bog anybody down with so much information, so I'll leave out the details for them.</p>

<p>I would greatly appreciate any constructive criticism. I know the DD program at Penn is extremely difficult to get into, but it is my dream program and currently my number 1 choice, and I am very anxious to see what my odds are, since I really do not have much of a clue. Thanks to anybody who goes through the time to read all of this and give me a constructive reply. </p>

<p>~lolz (<-- for short. and it was not my idea for a name, just in case anyone was wondering...)</p>

2

<p>Is this the Jerome Fisher M&T Program you’re applying to?
And are you female?
i would say you have good chances. be sure to do well in calc (which seem like you are doing fine) b/c thats important for both wharton and eng</p>

3

<p>Sorry, I should have specified those things from the beginning.</p>

<p>Yes, it is the Jerome Fisher M&T Program, and no I am not a female. (Darn women in engineering…)</p>

4

<p>I don’t see enough leadership or distinctive EC engagements to qualify you for M&T, though you seem to be fine based on your scores and GPA. A lot of it also depends on who you are and where you’re from. For instance, if you’re an Asian student in NJ, you’re screwed (like my school’s salutatorian, who didn’t make M&T despite his heavy qualifications). On the bright side, that kid did make Wharton.</p>

5

<p>For what it’s worth, I think you have a good shot. I got in with a 2130 SAT (and I’m just a middle class white kid). But I had really genuine essays. so it’s at least worth a shot</p>

6

<p>I heard that Wharton looks a lot at your business-related ECs…</p>

7

<p>@thericwu </p>

<p>I have no business related ECs and was accepted to M&T Class of 2013</p>

<p>@ lolz
you have a good shot and its definitely worth applying. The essays are extremely important as nmfreedom said. Also applying ED may not be a good idea unless you are absolutely positive you want to be in either M&T or the specific school you choose because Penn may reject you from M&T ED, but accept you to Wharton/SEAS and then you’re stuck (I think). I would also encourage you to investigate M&T further. It is an extremely rigorous program. I am currently deciding whether to attend M&T or Princeton. Good Luck.</p>

8

<p>your scores and grades are much better than mine and I got in. I really think you just have to impress the AD. I honestly have no business realted ec’s, all i did was play sports (not recruited) and have fun and i told them that. And that seemed to be okay with them. As long as you display your passions (for me it was mountain climbing) they really are receptive to anything, so you don’t need only business ec’s</p>

9

<p>that’s good news! thanks everyone. as far as my ethnicity/background information goes,</p>

<p>i’m a 17-year-old indian boy living in San Jose, California. i come from a pretty well-off family and therefore probably will qualify for a pittance of financial aid if any. </p>

<p>these business ecs are sort of scaring me, even though some people who got in didn’t have any. the thing is, for those who didn’t have business ecs, i’m sure you guys all had crazy other things that made you amazing and would make anything else look inconsequential. i don’t have THAT solid of a foundation, but i do have FBLA all four years (im pretty sure that counts as a business ec), so i’m a bit relieved by that. </p>

<p>ALSO, this just in, i’m running for ASB Secretary. i might be running unopposed, so that would be an excellent display of leadership :] </p>

<p>with this added information, do my odds look any better?</p>

10

<p>so did u get in?</p>