<p>Okay, I got this e-mail this summer, but shunned it off thinking it was just one of those e-mails that colleges send out to everyone. However, taking a closer look, I realize it's an invitation to apply to UPENN. </p>
<p>"Dear XXXXX</p>
<p>Let me be among the first to congratulate you on your academic accomplishments. You have distinguished yourself as an academically gifted and serious student, and I would like to invite you to consider extending your record of achievement at one of the most prestigious universities in the country."</p>
<p>At the bottom of the e-mail was a premade login for me to apply when I am ready.</p>
<p>I KNOW that this does not guarantee me admission to an ivy league school, but should seriously apply to this school knowing that I * might * be a competitive applicant?</p>
<p>Sure! Don’t overthink it! Just write a Penn essay and apply!</p>
<p>Penn is not the first college that sends this kind of emails. There is no official data about the people who gets this emails and percentage of them who get accepted. It is not 100% for sure! But knowing that you are in a college’s target group, gives you a conciderable advantage…</p>
<p>See other threads that has been made about this. (In MIT and other colleges forums)</p>
<p>Apply if you actually want to apply, but don’t think that this email guarantees admission though. I’m fairly certain this is a form email that is sent to students who have a certain range on their standardized tests. I have gotten actual letters and emails from Penn, Harvard, Uchicago, Duke, and they all have a “special log in” for me, but I doubt I can make it to those schools. This is just a way for elite colleges to make students think they can get in in order to receive more applications. More applicants for the same amount of spaces means that college admission rates go down - making colleges look more competitive and ranked better.</p>
<p>poison: being a recipient of a top school’s application invite I assume you can do some basic research. Google Penns Common Data set or even search the “results” threads here to gauge the typical competitive applicant. If this satisifies you and you truly are interested (and can afford) Penn, then make the application. Don’t apply b/c you solely rec’d that email – that’s foolish.</p>
<p>I give presentations for another Ivy and unlike blulub’s assertion that Ivies only want more applications, I NEVER blanketly ask people to apply – because of the terrible odds and difficult process. But only apply if, after research, they can envision themselves as a student. Trust me, the top schools don’t need/want more fluff apps. </p>
<p>Please apply if Penn really captivates you. For no other reason.</p>
<p>I received the exact e-mail around two semesters ago. I applied this semester for spring '14 admission to the UPenn BA program at the School of Arts and Sciences and just got my acceptance letter two days ago. </p>
<p>You need to apply. Don’t listen to any of these people. People will want to bring you down and tell you that it is impossible and that you won’t make it, but that is what people do, they are here to challenge your potential. You need to prove to yourself how bad you want it. </p>
<p>I will be studying economics at Penn. </p>
<p>APPLY! APPLY! APPLY! APPLY!</p>
<p>Be confident in yourself. Don’t sell yourself short. Make an impact. </p>
<p>Penn doesn’t offer spring admissions. No ivy can formally admit a student before the end of March. </p>
<p>Your post is filled with curiosities (and ill conceived advice since you know nothing about the applicant – he/she is in community college right now and targeting schools: not Penn)</p>
<p>Clyde: you did not identify that you were admitted to Penn LPS , the College of Liberal & Professional Studies. It has a much different set of criteria for admissions than normal undergrad at Penn, clyde. A 3.0GPA in previous HS or college work is the minimum criteria. The applicant pool to each is extremely different and your casual advice to this HS student (just apply! Don’t worry about it!) flies in the face of rational thought when the admissions rate to Penn undergrad is 12% and the enrolled students’ test 25-75 percentiles are:</p>
<p>I sincerely hope you make the best of your time at Penn LPS, clyde. But what most residents on this forum are seeking is a different degree and thus, face much greater challenges in order to be admitted.</p>
<p>That being said, poison, being a community college student might be served looking at the LPS program…</p>
<p>btw t26e4, Penn LPS and Penn CAS get the same diploma. The only difference is that the LPS students for whatever reasons could not enter a four year institution straight out of high school. A lot of them are military veterans, parents, international students, cc students etc. </p>
<p>Non-traditional students who are just as capable, but with various life-experiences under their belt and due to age, a generally more developed and matured mindset than a seventeen year old that is deciding to follow a societal ritual. </p>
<p>Of course it is harder to get in as a high school student, but easier to get in as an adult. There is a reason behind this which most sensible and intelligent people can figure out.</p>
<p>Yes. Opportunities for people, who, for whatever reason were not able to attend a four year university straight out of high school. LPS could also be a possibility for someone who has a busy lifestyle, but want to attain an ivy league degree by attending part-time.</p>