<p>My son is very interested in Business (economics) and International relations. However as financial aid is a reason, he needs to apply RD, as without it he cannot attend. Princeton calculator estimated $5000 parental contribution. If you can clarify it, it may help:</p>
<li> What is the difference between Business and Economics education?</li>
<li> Are you aware that Wharton admits students despite financial aid needs?</li>
<li> Does Wharton offers any program leading to economics and international relations and yet one can complete the course load towards the law requirements? </li>
<li> I am enclosing a glimpse of his bio data, just to see if he is competitive as financial demands put you in a more competitive pool of students. </li>
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<p>Public school does not rank but he is in top 10%. (3.9 GPA) GC hinted may be in top 2 kids. Only B in Arts (school required).</p>
<p>APs - AP Bio, Chemistry, Physics, AP Euro, AP BC Calculus, AP World History all 5. </p>
<p>In 8th grade, he scored 1480 (740 verbal and 740 in math). His PSAT was 230. He will be taking SAT in October. </p>
<p>SAT II multiple 800 </p>
<p>12 the grade (next year course)
AP Language
AP French
AP Macro/AP Micro
Linear algebra in a university</p>
<p>Additional info:</p>
<li><p>He has received scholarships ($17,000) and a sum of $8000 in financial aid award towards summer program since junior High. </p></li>
<li><p>Research Scholar awards to do a paid internship with a noble laureate scholar. Since Junior high, he is involved in summer research</p></li>
<li><p>He received a recognition by the US congress for Volunteer work (Eagle Scout)</p></li>
<li><p>He received a mathematics award for the top scorer in the 3-5 state regions</p></li>
<li><p>Various first place awards in essay competitions, which are published in magazines; newspaper and one cited on the national TV </p></li>
<li><p>ECs - football, school newspaper, music, math, debate and summer time radio host for a political show on a local radio station.</p></li>
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<ol>
<li><p>What is the difference between Business and Economics education?
Economics is a much more theoretical subject. You learn economic theory as an econ major and that's it. As a business major you'll learn the economics theory (not as in depth) but you'll also learn applicational fields such as finance, mngt, accounting, marketing, etc. </p></li>
<li><p>Are you aware that Wharton admits students despite financial aid needs?
Financial aid plays no role in admissions. The finaid app goes to a different office here at penn so admissions never sees your finaid app.</p></li>
<li><p>Does Wharton offers any program leading to economics and international relations and yet one can complete the course load towards the law requirements?
There is the Huntsman joint-degree program in which you get a BS in Economics with a concentration in ______ (finance, mngt, accouting,etc.) and also a BA in International Studies (not IR but IS - less political more cultural). However, You can always do a dual degree and get a BS in Economics from Wharton and a BA in Intl Relations from the college (may take one extra session of summer school to complete depending on AP credit). </p></li>
<li><p>I am enclosing a glimpse of his bio data, just to see if he is competitive as financial demands put you in a more competitive pool of students. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I think he has a good chance as his grades, boards, and ECs are all great. But you never know all these top colleges are kind of a crapshoot.</p>
<p>I'll expand on what bern700 posted, so read his first.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I would go so far as to say you learn next to no economics - for Wharton students, only introduction to micro and macro is required, the basic foundations of economic theory. Students certainly have the option of taking more higher level economics courses, both in the econ department and in the Business and Public Policy department, and FNCE 101 (part of the Wharton core) is Monetary economics.</p></li>
<li><p>Yup all need blind.</p></li>
<li><p>The Huntsman program is one of the top programs at penn, and is becoming increasingly popular among both domestic and international students. I'm pretty sure the most popular language at the moment is Chinese. To expand on the Huntsman program, students complete the degree requirements bern700 typed about above, as well as "concentrate" in a specific language (4 semesters of study) and then spend at least one semester abroad at another university. Many spend more than 1 semester however. Typically, this is done their junior year (1st or second semester). In addition, all Huntsman students live together on the 3rd floor of Kings Court House their freshman year. This is an attempt at community building by the program directors.</p></li>
<li><p>He certainly has a significantly better than average chance.</p></li>
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<p>Edit: even for teh Huntsman program. Note that Huntsman program is looking for marked interest in international studies and business however, and its admission rate is also lower than Whartons.</p>
<p>Chinese and spanish are typically the two most popular target languages. But remember, many people confuse this, huntsman is not an international relations/business program. It is an intl studies/business. Intl studies deals mainly with the language,culture, people, etc. of a country while IR is much more political in nature. the IR/Wharton dual-degree option is available and is actually one of the most popular combinations I've seen.</p>
<p>Of course Chinese is most popular.....new world market and so is India but many speak English there so Hindi at the moment is not quite as necessary. Chinese business ventures and companies building/starting joint ventures is huge and Wharton is preparing the force du jour.</p>
<p>Don't feel sad......you have tons of time to sit in on the class and wait for an opening....many folks will be changing their schedules. I have frequently attended a class waiting for an opening and have always had luck. Some students don't want to invest the time but I feel that professors can always give you an add which they are more likely to do if you have been attending. Be hopeful legendofmax. Good things come to those who persevere and you seem like that kinda guy.</p>
<p>Also, I don't think teh huntsman program cares about the target language, ie, they won't restrict the # of students enterring who want to take chinese (so read: no AA for people who want to take german or something)</p>
<p>Hmm, I thought I remember JohnnyK or someone else on this forum saying otherwise, but I dunno much about this. I'm guessing if you expressed genuine interest in an obscure language it might help a wee bit</p>
<p>It's true - you don't learn a ton of ECON at Wharton although they are changing the curriculum so that students will have to take intermediate micro (they get intermediate macro from FNCE 101) in addition to the intro course.</p>
<p>Since you asked about completing courses toward the law requirements... I am guessing you are saying your son is interested in going to law school. Wharton has a submatriculation program with Penn Law, meaning that you can apply as a junior to Penn Law, begin your graduate courses in your senior year, and graduate with a BS and a JD in 6 years rather than 7.</p>
<p>aranaxon: Actually when I applied to Huntsman a few years back I was chatting with the my regional adcom and she told me that Huntsmans was limiting the number of people they would admit for chinese and spanish. Because I already speak spanish & french she recommended I apply with French as a target. So it does play a role.</p>
<p>bern: and I thought i had figured out who you are... if its a few years back I assume you're not 08?</p>
<p>I guess with the overwhelming # of huntsman kids doing chinese, that's just hard for me to believe (and the overwhelming # of asian girls in the program!)</p>
<p>Why would they limit Chinese in today's market? Generaly the Indian market speaks English but the Chinese market is huge for hiring right now. If they limited before I should think that they aren't now. Remember that if it is limited you can look to Swarthmore or do the Princeton Program......Summer in Beijing and get the same deal.....over the summer and still get your Wharton classes. <a href="http://www.princeton.edu/%7Epib/%5B/url%5D">www.princeton.edu/~pib/</a></p>
<p>Well I know they suck but Penn Faculty are involved in the program and the only other program I am aware of is the Harvard Program.....actually some Penn students are in Beijing right now in the P'ton program. You'd think that Penn would get their own program but perhaps the high demand is just coming to market......I know that investment and job opps are huge right now in China.</p>
<p>yeah it's hard to believe but the thing is that's what they want to prevent in future years they don't want 60/60 kids doing chinese. They want some doing arabic, some french, some chinese, some spanish, some german, etc.</p>