<p>The ED application process has been one of the most interesting experiences I have had. I think it’ll be helpful if we (accepted, deferred or rejected) left some comments/advice/tips for the RDers. Plus, it would be nice if there is a thread that RDers can refer to quickly without having to use the search engine.</p>
<p>Here’s my tip:
Don’t stress over numbers (Once you are up there, you’re up there. Getting a few more points will not hurt but it will not help a lot)
Get good recs (From what I hear, recs are important. I would suggest getting a rec from a teacher that has sent recs to Penn before. That way, the Penn office knows on what basis or system the teacher judges students)</p>
<ul>
<li>make your why penn essay good. Make sure whatever you say about Penn can only apply to Penn. Mentally replace Princeton with everytime you say Penn in your essay. If it still makes sense, throw it out. Example: Penn is a great school, they have such a good economics program, which i really want. / Princeton is a great school, they have such a good economics program, which i really want.</li>
</ul>
<p>I don't think there is anything we can do to help because honestly we have no idea what got us in and what they liked and what they didnt like. Even though we were successful, were just as clueless as they are, right?</p>
<p>Yea. But, one thing is sure, they really LOOK AT A LOT MORE THAN SATs...for god sakes, I don't know what got me into Huntsman, but it's def. not my test scores.</p>
<p>take every chance you have to show that you <em>really</em> want to be at Penn, like Willis J. Stetson said, they want people who want to be there.</p>
<p>I've got two questions, since as you know I was deferred from the college.</p>
<p>First, how many of you who were accepted had activity resumes? I'm just curious about that, as I'm considering creating one for my regular decision schools.</p>
<p>Second, did you declare majors? Do you know if schools generally don't like it if you haven't declared a major? Is it better to pretend that you're interested in a major that would "make sense," considering other criteria?</p>
<p>I had an activity resume. My guidance counselor handed out disks with with proper word format and all I had to do was enter in the info. It was <em>very</em> helpful and I'd be glad to pass it along.</p>
<p>i had an activity resume too with all the stuff I couldnt fit on the app and a description of hte activities that were unique to my high school...i also declared a major althought I didn't really have activities that directly correlated with that major...I heard colleges do like that though</p>
<p>umm i put undecided major... but in my why penn essay i went into depth about the various classes i wanted to take (mentioned social psychology, cognitive neuroscience, BBB)...and like specified which other departments appealed to me (Slavic Languages and Literature, for example) but it was clear that i was going there for all things psych related. since i applied online, i faxed in a resume (under two pages, descriptions consisting of a single phrase for about two activities) like i didnt get in cause of my ECs... i got in cause of Precollege... but i wrote my defining first experience essay about a dilemma i encountered while volunteering. and yes, i think recommendations are absolutely crucial. but i dont think you should get too goofy about your love for penn in your why penn essay--- mine was incredibly sophisticated and conveyed my knowledge of the school and my place in it rather than how much i was drooling about penn... ahh i hope that helps some people! and by the way-- they like people that wanna help philly, benefit the school, obviously. good luck all!!!!!</p>
<p>Tip: Do all applications stuff (including essays) the night before the deadline for maximum stress. So when you get accepted, you feel more awesome.</p>
<p>btw, is SEAS harder to get in than The College? I know i want to be a doctor and want to try engineering for undergrad, but when i saw that SEAS only has 1500 students as opposed to 6500 in The College, i was wondering if admissions are tougher there. any ideas?</p>
<p>I don't think the number of students being lower than the number for the College has much to do with admissions numbers - in fact, SEAS has a higher percentage acceptance rate than the College (19.4% for College, 28.1% for Engineering)</p>
<p>A higher percentage, abcfox, doesn't mean it's less selective. For example, look at the percentage acceptance for the US News and World Report for each school and the correlating selectivity rank: it doesn't match at all!</p>
<p>The people who apply to SEAS tend to be a bit more qualified (the applicant pool, that is) than College individuals. After all, they do want to be engineers; hence, their SAT range I think is a tad bit higher.</p>
<p>Boaluv, applying to one school or the other (unless it's nursing) doesn't help/hinder your admissions. It'd be much better to apply to the school you like more.</p>
<p>Streetlight, a friend of mine said that when people get deferred, they send extra items to the colleges...for example, maybe another teacher recommendation signed by your counselor that will help reveal who you are. Or maybe an updated resume. Or maybe an updated essay that you wish to replace. I do not know if this is legal, but from what I hear, people do send extra items.</p>
<p>Also, it may boost your chances if you e-mail them or mail them (even better) that you still believe Penn is your first-choice and that you will go there if you get accepted there.</p>
<p>Obviously of course, you have to be truthful. Don't mail them that Penn is your first-choice if it isn't.</p>
<p>1) Call yourself, see what's up. Listen for clues. If it's vague, you're out. If they cite something, work on it
2) Have your GC call and tell them it's your first choice
3) Mail them updated stuff (new awards, grades, etc) and perhaps another essay reiterating your interest
4)Pray</p>