How hard is it to transfer to another school within UPenn?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

Say I get accepted into Wharton. If I choose to go to CAS sophomore year, how hard is that process?

While we are here, we might as well do a chance me for Wharton ED.

-GPA- Unweighted 3.8, Weighted 5.1
-Top 10%
-8 AP Credits (Scores 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5) with 8 more in senior year = 16
-AP Scholar with Distinction
-Member of National Hispanic Recognition Program (Cuban and Costa Rican)
-ACT: 35 in one sitting

 9th Grade

-Volunteered at my church and at a children’s art museum ~100 hours
-Competed in Speech and Debate, 2nd place in state novice tournament for duo interpretation, competed in several national competitions

-10th Grade
-Member of Feminism Club
-Member of Wildlife Protection Club
-Speech and Debate (couldn’t compete due to financial issues)
-Volunteered at church
-***These are the activities I participated in old school. I moved in February to a new school, so I didn’t have a chance to establish myself for the remainder of this year.
-The 3 was in AP World History. I got a three because I was taking AP Euro in my old school, and they didn’t offer it at my new school. I took World with no preparation and still passed.

 11th Grade

-Created Speech and Debate Club, co-captain
-Member of the SGA, suggested hallway decorating competition
-Member of Model UN, competed in Johns Hopkins Model UN Conference
-Member of Steering Committee of Class of 2018, helped decorate for homecoming dance, pep rally, junior prom
-***Was out of school for 1 month due to a surgery, was able to come back and complete all work and continue at the pace I was operating at (no pun intended!) beforehand
-4.0 GPA this year

 12th (so far)

-I am currently in a new school (again, so this is my third school)
-Member of Varsity Quiz Bowl Team (only new Varsity member this year)
-Member of Model UN, will compete in three tournaments
-Member of NHS, tutor weekly
-Taking 8 AP classes (English Lit, Bio, Macro/Micro Econ, Comparative/US Gov, Euro, Stat)
-Started Coffeehouse, a talent show open mic night at the school.
-Started recycling initiative

I haven’t taken Calc and I’m not taking subject tests.

As you can see, I’ve been to three different high schools so it was hard for me to be consistent. It was just a couple years of relocating and bad luck, not any military moves. I really want to go to UPenn, but I’m nervous that I don’t have enough.

2

If you are in Wharton for a year, it should be easy to transfer into CAS, but may be challenging to transfer into SEAS.

3

I have no desire to be an engineer, so this sounds good to me!

4

This is a complicated circumstance. GPA is on the low side for Penn, but still in the top 10%. No subject tests, but strong APs. Act of 35. Hispanic.

I would really focus on a good essay and try to get solid teacher references. I think you have a solid chance.

5

I think as long as you have a 3.0 GPA after freshman year, you can transfer into the college.

6

It’s not about difficulty or GPAs when changing programs at Penn; it’s about fit. You will need to explain, CONVINCINGLY, why you were mistaken to apply to Wharton instead of the College and you will need to explain why just taking classes in the college, adding a dual degree, or taking on a University Minor (minors that cross the undergrad schools) will not fulfill your intellectual needs instead of transferring. I know people with VERY good GPAs who were unable to change undergrad schools at Penn because they made the mistake of thinking that it had anything to do with their GPA and nothing to do with why they want to change. If you have great reasons for changing your academic program, it will be easy. If you have a 3.6 from Wharton, you are just not enjoying business school, and you DON’T have a reason for why you’ll like the College better, you’re not going to be able to transfer. The same is true for engineering and nursing. The barriers between Penn’s departments are so low already that actually transferring between schools is usually unnecessary and thus you need to have good reasons for trying.