<p>See, this is the funny thing about the program. If they judge, from your application, that you have had enough "exposure" to your target language that it would make you necessarily proficient/fluent in the language, then they sometimes will not send you a test (I know, the process is arbitrary). The test is not a REQUIREMENT to get into the program, but if you do receive one, that means that you are "in consideration". Hope this helps. Cheers.</p>
<p>Cheese_itz, it must've been a huge accomplishment to get into Huntsman! How did you do it? Hehe, I'm sweating for Penn's essays right now! I really wish I can just submit the Common App.</p>
<p>Hey elfelf,
HEHE. Oh the anxiety ~ I understand the feeling well (ok, not well, since I applied back in the days when Penn was "Uncommon App'ed"...I'm old n' gray compared to you guys :P). How did I do it? Ha. I wish I know of a formula or a set of guidelines to guarantee admissions (I would be so moneyed...hehe ^^), but truth is, I don't even know what got me in. The process itself is so random that the same applicant who was accepted last year may be rejected this year, or vice versa. Crazy, ain't it?
With that said, here're a few things I'll share with you in regards to the admissions process, and the program ;).
- The application: When I did my application, I had a writer's block for about a week. I kept asking myself, "What do they want to read from me?" And then it occured to me what a stupid condition it was to demand of myself: to write not about me, but what the admissions people would find pleasing to read about me. HA! So once that handicap was out the window, I basically sat down and wrote my essays with a lot more ease. It's actually one of the easier things in life to accomplish when you realize that the essays are one of the few opportunities in your life where you are allowed to indulge in your own egotism, take advantage of it, and have fun :P.<br>
- What they expect: As I said, the process is so arbitrary that it's useless to predict what they "expect". But, when I wrote the essays, I had one rule: to not let my essay be consumed with facts that anyone can read from the front page of the wall street journal or google with a click of a button. It's nice that you know a lot, but please avoid the temptation to turn YOUR essay into a research paper...facts are nice, but don't loose yourself in them. This is directed towards the huntsman specific essay. However, keep in mind that my advice is subjective, take it with a grain of salt :). </p>
<p>The Program - allow me the chance to flatter it :P.
- It's awesome, I can't really find words to express how awesome my Penn experience has been thus far. Huntsman is awesome in that it allows you a lot of flexibility to take liberal arts courses (and yes, you SHOULD take them, esp. some higher level seminars), and thus, discover things you never knew or thought possible to know about yourself. I wish you and the rest of the CC'ers nothin' but luck with your applications - it'll all be worth it in the end, where ever you guys end up. :). Feel free to ask questions, I'll try my best to answer them. :).</p>
<p>hey guys m new on here n m seriously considerin applyin to the Huntsman Prog…i just have a few questions…
My grades for high school arent STELLAR. theyre about there, but not that great. My math SAT is a 2400 tho and im fluent AND proficient (lolz) in Hindi…so that wont be a problem at all…what are my chances, assuming my essays are good?? (i know its arbitrary, but do the grades cut me out completely? specifically Cheez, do all ur course mates have really AWESOME grades?)</p>
<p>next, when does Penn send u the test if u send in ur application in, say, October. (im studying in Singapore and that means i have my A levels in November, so im hoping it doesnt clash)</p>
<p>thats all for now. m really anxious and would appreciate the help.
thanks in advance:)</p>
<p>good about hindi. yr math portion of the sat is 800? can u be more specific about yr grades? really, they should be strong 4 penn</p>
<p>idk what yr second question is asking</p>
<p>well im from Singapore, so my predicted scores will be wat the colleges receive. My predicted grade for Math should be a B, maybe even a C. Chemistry should be the same. Physics, Economics and English should be an A so no problem there (m currently studying science stream subjects).</p>
<p>2nd question- if i apply ED, ie i send my application in October, when will Penn send me the Hindi language test? or is there some other way i have to apply for it?</p>
<p>one more question- Im not an American citizen. Does asking for Financial aid severely affect my chances for Huntsman?</p>
<p>and yeah my math portion of the SAT is 800</p>
<p>I wanna apply to Huntsman too but my grades aren’t that great either. I’m doing IB and my predicted grade is currently 33 out of 42: Spanish (7), French (5), English (5), Math (6), Econ (6), Physics (4). My SAT score is 2080 out of 2400. I"m planning take French and Math for SAT 2, because i wanna choose french Do u think that i should not apply early because Huntsman is such a stretch for me?</p>
<p>How much do extracurricular activities count? I’m the leader of yoga n kung fu in my school. Do u think i should continue with basketball (I was in the school team for grades 9, 10, 11) or should i concentrate on boosting my grades?</p>
<p>Do u think i should ask my french to write my recommendation since my target language is french, or can i ask my spanish teacher to write me one, since he seems to have a better impression of me and realizes my linguistic interest.</p>
<p>Also, last summer, i went to brown for a quantum physics program during the summer, but i’m applying to Huntsman… would that be inconsistent and would not support my application? </p>
<p>Thanks a bunch. I really need some professional advice!</p>
<p>Well, I’m not a professional, but I can give you my humble advice anyway.</p>
<p>I’m in the IB program too! And judging by your predicted grades, you could target in Spanish if you wanted to (although I’m guessing that’s your native language and that’s why you don’t want to do it?) I’d retake the SAT and try to bump it up to 2200. Applying early only gives you a better shot. If you’re really super interested in it, then go for it. If not, then yea, you might have a better shot at other schools. </p>
<p>EC’s are pretty important. You don’t have to do a lot, but if you can show you’re really passionate about one or two, then that helps. The basketball question is a tough call…up to you and how much you like doing it. Whichever language you choose to target in, that’s the language you need the recommendation for. </p>
<p>And when I visited Penn, I heard there are people in the Huntsman Program who are even premed. So I’m sure it’s fine if not all of your activities reflect international studies or business…having other interests is good.</p>
<p>Overall, based on the little information you gave, Huntsman is a reach (it’s a reach for everyone, I suppose), but that shouldn’t dissuade you from going for it if you really want to.</p>
<p>Hey McFever, I took IB last year too and im heading to huntsman next year, if Huntsman is what you want I think you should go for it.
You really need to try to boost your grades to be competitive though. Most the IB ppl I’ve talked to in Huntsman got higher than 40, you’d really boost your chances if you got in that range.
I agree on Cheese_itz advice though. When it comes down to it, it’s a crapshoot. I just wanted to add though that international exposure is really important in the application.
Anyway best luck to all you guys! Maybe see you next year ;)</p>
<p>:) any advice for non IB?</p>