<p>stcoleridge: That's a great point, and I thought about that. </p>
<p>I didn't have a Yale interview. As far as Harvard and Penn--I would not be completely comfortable with ANY interviewer discussing race in their interview report, as it is something that some people decide not to specify on their application for a variety of reasons. But if they did, they did. </p>
<p>I would like to believe, however, that if I didn't specify it on my application, then the readers will not take it into consideration regardless of if the interview reports mention it, or not. Designating race is really an option and a right--but I wanted to see what would happen if I chose not to take advantage of it at a few of my schools.</p>
<p>And, Thanks shjanama77. ;-)
Penn's the shiznit. I hope to visit soon and see some of you there.</p>
<p>Well, don't get me wrong, I encourage everyone to designate their race if it's something they want to do. And if it's not, then don't. It's an individual choice and for some schools I just wanted to try something different.</p>
<p>I chose Penn Engineering over Berkeley EECS and CMU CS a year ago, and so far I am extremely happy with my decision. When choosing between schools, I seriously doubted if I wanted to stick with engineering. I excelled in math and sciences in high school, but felt like I was more business inclined. I wanted an undergraduate education in engineering for the analytical skills and technical background.</p>
<p>If you are like me, Penn is a great place to attend because of its "one university" policy in which you can take classes in any schools with little restrictions, and even minor in different subjects (except Wharton). There is a good percentage of the students in engineering that pursue a dual-degree, mostly with Wharton or College Econ. </p>
<p>For me, Penn's engineering ranking was the biggest concern because I felt like maybe I should go to the top ranked EECS or CMU CS instead of the Top 30 program of Penn. However, it is my opinon that, unless you want to go into research in engineering or become a seriuos engineer, then it really doesn't matter where you go for engineering. Since most programs are ABET accredited, the coursework in the top ranked institution will be similiar to, if not identical to, a lower ranked schoool. Also, the top rankings usually go to the huge research schools, like MIT and Berkeley, and are not indicative of the quality of education you will get there.</p>
<p>Go to Cal if you want to become a hardcore engineer (like work in Silicon Valley). If not, then give Penn a look, too.</p>
<p>Do you recommend not taking Cal 1,2 (math 104, 114), if i have AP credit
& credit form other college's summer school. Is it hard to get in M&T program?
Which course is harder to get high grade and can be replaced by AP or other
college's credit for SEAS student ?</p>
<p>Yes, I recommend not taking 104, or any intro class for that matter. The material in the intro classes are really easy, but the curve can definately screw you over. For Penn, if you skip 114 and take 240 and get a passing grade (above a C) then you can get retroactive credit for 114. I know a couple students who have done this.Look over the course syllabus for 114 and see if you have already completed most of the material. Also check out the sample midterms/finals and you can make a decision for yourself. As for me, I'm glad I took 114 because it was 2 years since I've taken Calc and it worked well as a refresher course. They say the intro math classes have ridiculous curves (104 and 114) but I came out with an A. I think its just the Wharton kids complaining again.. They do it alot, hence the infamous yet overhyped "Wharton curve" heh =)</p>
<p>M&T Program is easiest to get into ED. They take more than half of the kids (probably around 30/50) ED. To transfer into M&T as a freshman, you need a near-perfect GPA, and is ridiculously hard. They only take about 4-5 transfer kids, and the competition is insane. </p>
<p>I found the Chemistry 101 Engineering section to be a little challenging (esp the "engineering portion"), and you can take the placement test to get credit for the class. From what I hear physics is pretty easy. Math104 isn't too bad.</p>
<p>Why is it "admirable" for sax to have not specified? The underlying assumption is that urm's are given an unfair advantage. They get an advantage for a good reason, folks, as I recall from US History and recent Suptreme Court opinions...</p>
<p>When you are making your final decision on which school to attend, I highly recommend visiting each campus (though it may be tedious for you to visit all 4). Remember, you are choosing where you will live for the next four years - don't take it too lightly. I know of friends who have gone to state schools because of money, and are miserable. I know many others at Ivies who wish they have gone to one of the UC's. Things to look at: campus size, urban or rural?, dorms, food, class sizes, distance from home, etc etc. Don't let rankings or what people tell you dictate your decision. When I visited Penn, I knew that this was where I wanted to study/live for the next four years. I visited Berkeley and CMU, but my gut told me to go to Penn, even with its "measly" Top 25 Engineering school, over the top programs in CS. I am extremely happy here, and even changed majors, four times! Your next four years doesn't just culminate in a degree. This is the best time of your life. I suggest you choose wisely. BTW, what schools are you deciding between?</p>
<p>Well, currently I am considering UCLA, UCSD, Upenn, and UCB, the first two of which I have been accepted. Upenn and UCB are likely schools. You make a great point about considering many factors. I am doing that too. Right now, a good reason to go to UCB is that it has a great Engineering program, which I have applied under Undeclared Eng. Also it's close to home, but I probably prefer to live away from home. UCLA has such a great campus, along with good food, and a very active social atmosphere. For UCSD, I'm just considering the awsome major that's ranked 2 (I believe): Biomedical Eng Premed. But as far as everything else, UCSD doesn't have what I want, so I will sacrifice a lot if I go there. In the case of UPenn, I do not entirely know much about it, as I have not visited there yet, and probably won't. I have to say that if I don't know much about it, I should just not go, despite the fact that it's an Ivy school. I heard that the UPenn is located in a mediocre neighborhood (from my interviewer). But, I also like a smaller class size. </p>
<p>I've been looking on CC for more info about each school and I have learned a lot, which is making my choice even harder. And the fact that my SIR is due May 1 or 2, compounds my problem of learning and visiting these schools. As far as money is concerned, I am not going to decide any schools based on tuition because for the UCs, I am not getting a dime, whereas for privates, my EFC is quite lower than their 40,000+ annual fee so I will get about 7000 in financial aid. Therefore, the difference between private and public is, in my viewpoint, not that great. I am willing to go for a private school over a public school for a superior education. I also prefer a urban or suburban atmosphere, just because I want to do stuff outside of studies.</p>
<p>And if there is a slim chance that I get into Stanford (which is even closer to my home than UCB), I will have to decide from 5 schools.</p>
<p>Wow, haha Stanford close to your home? I see that you're from the Bay Area - me too! Have you heard of Cupertino?</p>
<p>Anyway, just another thing to consider, for the UC's, unless you are Regent's Scholar, it is going to be hard to register for classes. Plus, you'll be stuck in lectures with 400~500 other kids (even in upper level classes). If you can handle that and don't need the personal attention, then I guess it won't make that much of a difference. </p>
<p>With the recent budget cuts, I've seen that the UCs (even Berkeley) are accepting many more applicants than they should, because they need the money. I believe this happened when my year (class of 04) went to college. They say that getting into the UC's is become harder and harder, but I see the opposite. But, hey, what can they do - they're public schools. They don't get the huge amount of alumni donations that privates do. This is going to be a big problem for the perceived quality of education, as less qualifed applicants are admitted just because the school needs the tuition money. That's actually one of the reasons why I chose Penn (not just because its an Ivy) over UCB. </p>
<p>UCSD has a great Pre-med program. But if you are unsure of your pre-med plans and decide to switch out, unfortunately the school does not offer as much as either UCB or Penn. </p>
<p>Both Berkeley and Penn are in "urban" areas. Sketchy areas. Berkeley's in the middle of the ghetto in Oakland - think bums and hippies. Penn's in West Philly - again, think bums but no hippies. I can't comment much about the social scene in UCB, though I hear its pretty good, but I can definately say that Penn deserves its reputation as the "social ivy." The frat scene is huge, and there are also parties almost every weekends in clubs in centercity (though the clubs here haven't really impressed me).</p>
<p>Stanford's another great school that is worth considering. To be honest, had I been accepted I would've signed in a heartbeat (I did EA). Too bad they don't take as many local kids.</p>
<p>Ah. Yeah I live close to FC and I sorta know Cupertino. (I came here about 4 yrs ago so I'm not quite familar with places here). I think you're exaggerating about 400-500 class lectures though, because the classrooms aren't even that large. More realistically I think it's more like 300 at most. If what you say is true about UCs accepting more students, then that won't solve the money problem. It will only make things worse, though I could be wrong. As for studying for school, I think I'm pretty independent though I like to chat with teachers. This I could do without, as I am an independent learner. I don't often rely on other people to help me with things. It might be different in college, where the material is harder, but I adjust to things quickly and I can work as a team.</p>
<p>Again, I've been to Berkeley recently and it looks really nice. Though I'm not sure about the bum and hippy problem.</p>
<p>And yes, I would agree with you. I will go Stanford in a heartbeat if I were accepted but the chances of that is 0.0000001. so =</p>
<p>I guess I will wait until April 2 or so to finalize my choice.</p>