I NEED ADVICE! Should I apply ED?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>I'm having somewhat of a dilemma. Currently, I'm trying to decide whether or not to apply to UPenn Early Decision for the class of 2016. However, here's the deal; I've visited WashU twice already, had an interview, submitted their pre-app, signed up for the mailing list...basically, I've tried to show that my interest in WUSTL is genuine, and I would love to go there. Up until a few months ago, I was 90% sure that I would apply to WashU ED. However, I can't stop thinking about how far I can go if I reach a little bit higher. Would UPenn be a match for me if I apply ED, or would it be better to apply ED to WashU? Do I have a better chance at one over the other? Would it really make that much difference (i.e. the Ivy League label)? I'm interested in majoring in biology, and will be following the pre-med track, if that helps. </p>

<p>Here is my applicant profile:</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<ul>
<li>SAT: N/A</li>
<li>ACT: 35 (35 English, 35 Math, 34 Reading, 35 Science, 11 Writing)</li>
<li>SAT IIs: N/A</li>
<li>AP Scores: AP U.S. History (5), AP Biology (5), AP U.S. Government and Politics (5),
and AP Microeconomics (5)</li>
<li>GPA: 4.0 UW, 5.86 W (on a 6.00 scale)</li>
<li>Rank: 2/482</li>
<li>Senior Class Schedule: AP Literature and Composition, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP
Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Chemistry, and Honors Physics</li>
</ul>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Essay: Obviously, everyone think theirs is amazing. I think mine uniquely manipulates one of my passions (playing the guitar) to get across a fairly refreshing and original message regarding how to live one's life.</p></li>
<li><p>Teacher Recs: Exceptional. One from my AP Bio teacher who loved me, another from my Spanish 4 teacher who is very, very familiar with my academic ability AND extracurriculars, and possibly one from my freshman Honors English teacher</p></li>
<li><p>Counselor Rec: Excellent; he was actually one of my wrestling coaches in middle school (I was a captain) and I am very involved with the counseling office at our school. I'm sure he'll make my dedication and persistence known.</p></li>
<li><p>Hook (for WashU): DEMONSTRATED INTEREST IN THE SCHOOL. I will be applying Early Decision, have visited WashU twice, had an interview on campus, am trying to get an alumni interview, already submitted my pre-application, signed up for the WUSTL pathway, added my name to the mailing list about a year and a half ago, and have even emailed the admissions office numerous times regarding inquiries I had about the application process or school in general.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<ul>
<li>Football (9): I was an "A" Team starting linebacker for my freshman year</li>
<li>Indoor Track & Field (10, 11, 12): Varsity level 11th and 12th grades</li>
<li>Outdoor Track & Field (10, 11, 12): Varsity level 11th and 12th grades</li>
<li>Key Club (10, 11, 12): I ran two fundraisers for a non-profit food pantry in our area, raising over $500 each time</li>
<li>Student Athletic Trainer (10, 11, 12): Head Varsity Student Athletic Trainer 12th grade, will most likely get an extremely strong rec from the AT himself</li>
<li>Spanish Honor Society (10, 11, 12): Member (we don't have a board or anything)</li>
<li>Mu Alpha Theta (10, 11, 12): Member, fulfilled all service hour requirements</li>
<li>National Honor Society (11, 12): Projected board member (most likely vice president, possible president), fulfilled all service hour requirements</li>
<li>School Ambassador (10, 11, 12): This is a selective group of students chosen to volunteer at school events; it has a service hour requirement that I have fulfilled each semester</li>
<li>Boys State 2011: Went through a rigorous selection process at my school to be admitted to the program</li>
<li>Volunteer Work: Over 100 hours of volunteer work at the same food pantry I raised money for through my Key Club fundraiser; over 25 hours tutoring ELL kids at a local church</li>
</ul>

<p>Work Experience/Internships:</p>

<ul>
<li>Veterinary Assistant (10, 11, 12): Work every week, about 4 hours per week</li>
<li>Tutor (9, 11): In 9th grade I tutored a middle-aged woman from Serbia on the English language/speech, in 11th grade I tutored a fellow classmate on microeconomics</li>
<li>Local College Internship (11): For the entire first semester of 11th grade, I interned at a local college, helping a group of three seniors do research on a jellyfish toxin they though might have the potential to become an anti-cancer drug. I helped out in the lab, listened in on discussions, and even met with their professor as well to discuss the findings and help apply them to my own biology class</li>
<li>Internship at Local Hospital (12): Basically shadowing a surgeon</li>
</ul>

<p>Location/Person:</p>

<ul>
<li>State or Country: Illinois</li>
<li>School Type: Public</li>
<li>Ethnicity: Caucasian</li>
<li>Gender: Male</li>
<li>Other Factors: Will be applying for financial aid (income = ~$80,000)</li>
</ul>

<p>I still can't help thinking that I'm getting caught up in the prestige factor...WUSTL is not only closer to my home, but also just as renowned for their pre-med program as UPenn. However, I'm concerned about one thing: dropping pre-med. If this does happen, then I feel that UPenn would offer me better alternatives, as it is (in my opinion) the OVERALL superior school.</p>

<p>I know that it takes time to read through all of these stats and formulate responses. I truly do appreciate the time all of you take to respond to this thread. Thank You!</p>

2

<p>The difference is extremely marginal in terms of prestige. Go where you think you would enjoy more. The academic ranking between the two is so marginal that it should not play a major role in your decision. WUSTL has an amazing premed program, as does Penn. Either is great. I’d go with WUSTL as you seem to like it more and it’s closer to home. You probably would get in too.</p>

3

<p>It sounds like you have a strong chance at WashU ED. Showing interest like that is very important. I kind of think you should just apply to WashU ED, because you already know you are a great fit for that school. I don’t know about WashU, but I hear Upenn premed is extremely competitive. If you’re going to be a doctor, your undergrad degree isn’t all that important. If you go to WashU and get good grades you can always go to Upenn med school. Don’t worry about the prestige of WashU’s other programs if you drop premed. I’m from the east coast and it is probably just as highly regarded of a school here as it is near you.</p>

4

<p>1-i dislike threads like these b/c you’re just looking for where you have the best chance at “going up the totem pole” of college “prestige”
2-apply early where you want. they are of similar status, and both will get you equally into med schools granted you have proper grades/ecs/mcats
3-just as a response to the previous poster, penn med school is the same caliber as washu’s (ranked 2nd as opposed to 4th), but that fact is irrelevant as undergrad admissions is not tied to med school admissions in the slightest. in fact, they both have equally regarded pre-med programs in my opinion (but it’s only my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt)
4-one school is not “superior” to the other. both are incredibly competitive in the sciences and in other fields. again, it all depends on the feel of the school for you.
5-just to emphasize #1 again, don’t come off as a prestige whore b/c it’s unflattering, unprofessional, and your beliefs will (hopefully) dissipate by the time you matriculate. i had the same idea that the ranking meant everything, and when you step on campus at any great school, you’ll realize they’re all the same, and you can be successful coming from a top 10, top 20, or even the “poorly regarded” state school.</p>

5

<p>axc:</p>

<p>Thank you for the honest post. I agree with almost all of what you said. Although I’m not creative enough to come up with the term “prestige whore,” that’s a pretty good descriptor of my post. I guess the biggest thing deterring me from applying to WashU ED IS the prestige factor, which is terrible. People who know of my academic ability are usually confused or surprised when I tell them about my plans to go to WUSTL, and they question my move to the East or West coast. I then have to painfully explain that WashU is neither in D.C. or Seattle, that it’s right here in St. Louis.</p>

<p>Again, that’s just the average person. I’m sure men and women of academia are familiar with all colleges, especially two powerhouses like WashU and Penn.</p>

<p>Thanks to the other two posters as well.</p>

6

<p>sure acceptance and reifying your intelligence and hard work through your undergrad is nice, but then you shouldve chosen schools that don’t sound like they’re in washington state or penn state. the people whose decisions will affect you in internships, grad schools, and jobs will know their academic standings.</p>

7

<p>That really doesn’t matter what joe schmoe thinks. Go where you’re happy. Both schools are very highly respected and both are definitely top tier schools. There are countless schools that are exceptional and known by the academic world but not by the common people (Williams, Amherst, wustl, Carnegie Mellon, etc.)</p>