<p>I got an invitation to the Vagelos Program - does this mean I'm in? I'm extremely happy that I got an invitation because I regretted not applying for it after submitting my application back in December, but I'm a little confused because I didn't apply for the program in the first place (but was automatically considered for being a chem major). </p>
<p>Also, does anyone know approximately the percentage of applicants they accept for the Vagelos Program?</p>
<p>There are two Vagelos Programs—Vagelos Life Science & Management Dual-Degree Program and the Vagelos Molecular Life Science Program, which you don’t apply for (it’s invite only). When you applied, did you apply to CAS and was your major Biochem/Bio-based? If so, you are in the latter program. The first program was one you apply for during the application round.</p>
<p>I got the Vagelos Molecular Life Science Program invitation. Any idea on how many people usually get in?</p>
<p>Wow, congrats! I think only 25 or 30 people so that is very impressive! You can graduate with a Bachelors and a Masters in 4 years!!! </p>
<p>[Vagelos</a> Scholars Program in the Molecular Life Sciences](<a href=“Biochemistry | Penn Arts & Sciences”>http://www.sas.upenn.edu/biochem/vspmls.html) gives you more info than I possibly can. My hat off to you! Hope we will be in the same Bio/science classes in the fall :)</p>
<p>haha thanks! I’m so excited!!</p>
<p>Hi Hardworking,
What if the dual degree work is too much? Can you drop one or the other degree? Do you know who might know about it?</p>
<p>Hi @ellenwonders!</p>
<p>I am currently a freshman in the Vagelos MLS program. The program offers two main paths: 1.) Submatriculation (a word Penn made up for obtaining as masters and bachelors) in biochem or chem 2.) Double majoring in biochem and another math/natural science of your choice. THerefore, you certainly don’t have to submatriculate if you don’t want to. However, according to our advisor Dr.Lu, submatriculating is the easiest path to take in terms of graduating from vagelos. He actually prefers if you double major. However, the choice is ultimately up to you. Hope that helps! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!</p>
<p>@ellenwonders: In regards to the Vagelos LSM <em>Dual-Degree</em>, you are allowed to drop down to just one degree if you feel it is too rigorous or if you have a change of interest. The 25 of us in the program have 1 academic advisor, so you get pretty good attention as compared to the general student body. Some of the best parts of the program include the fact that LSM Dual-Degree students are guaranteed two paid summer internships!</p>
<p>@GoldOwl: Submatriculation seems like obviously the better choice to me. Am I missing something? What are the advantages of double majoring over getting a masters?</p>
<p>@hardworking21: Does what you said apply to the Vagelos MLS Program as well (specifically about the paid summer internships)?</p>
<p>@december15th: I feel like most people in the program want to sub matriculate. However, according to Dr.Lu, double majoring gives you more depth. The choice is ultimately up to you though</p>
<p>@december15th: No clue if the paid summer internships apply to Vagelos MLS program or not. GoldOwl, would you know?</p>
<p>@hardworking21: The paid summer internships DEFINITELY apply to Vagelos MLS. If you stay in vagelos through sophomore year, then you get a ~$7000 paid summer internship for your sophomore and junior year summers.</p>
<p>Just a minor correction–there are 3 Vagelos programs. The newest member is known as VIPER–Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research. If you’d like to know anything at all about the three, please ask! I started off at Penn as a part of the MLS program, which, to this point, remains as the most selective and most prestigious of the three programs. Message me!</p>
<p>All of the Vagelos programs rock. Let’s be honest :)</p>
<p>I was pretty iffy between which school to choose but Penn’s invitation to the MLS program is definitely nudging me in that direction. But I’m worried about the notorious drop out rate. Can anyone provide some info on how good of a FIT this program is for pre-meds?
thanks :)</p>
<p>While I am not in Vagelos MLS, as a physics major several of my close friends are currently in the program or were in the program at some point. From what I have seen, MLS is an incredibly rigorous program that attracts brilliant students who go above and beyond. For example, I know one or two people who are trying to double major and sub matriculate. It is a very restrictive program and it is not for everyone. From what I have observed, I think this is largely responsible for the high drop out rate. For example, I know one or two kids who are into math who were in the program once but left the program because they did not want to do biochem.</p>
<p>Although I hear about half the program is premed, you will definitely be taking a lot more science than the average premed. For example, Vagelos Scholars are required to take Modern Physics, which is a 200 level class required for the physics major.</p>
<p>@happyfeet12:</p>
<p>As a current Vagelos MLS freshman, I definitely agree with what Poeme said. The MLS course requirements go beyond what is required of pre-med students. For example, we are required to take Phys 240 (intro to quantum mechanics), 3 semester of math, physical chem, etc. If you graduate from Vagelos, then you should have no major problem getting into medical school (at least that’s what Dr.Lu says). As for the high dropout rate, I would not let it deter you from joining. Although some people certainly drop out due to the rigor of the program, most people seem to drop out because they develop interests elsewhere.</p>
<p>Congrats to everyone who got an invitation to join the Vagelos Scholars Program in the Molecular Life Sciences. :)</p>
<p>I also got one, and I was doing some research about it and I was wondering if it’d be a good fit for me. Does the program cover all the required pre-medicine classes? Would I be able to do varsity sports while I was in this program? Also, I heard that usually, about 10/35 people in this program complete it. What are the drop out rules? Is it possible to drop out at any time?</p>
<p>Thanks! :)</p>
<p>Congrats on everyone who was invited to Vagelos MLS.</p>
<p>I have a few questions about the freshman curriculum: The website says that vagelos students are exempt from the General Chem Labs (Chem 53/54). Does this assume a very strong background in Chemistry (which I don’t have… no AP Chem at my school)? If I started the program and then dropped out, would I have to make up the 2 labs (as someone who is currently pre-med)?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>@jpv159: if you stay in vagelos for all four years, then yes, vagelos does cover all pre-med requirements, just at a more advanced level. For example, whereas regular pre-med students usually take 100-level bio to satisfy pre-med, vagelos students have to start off with 200-level bio. I think that it would definitely be feasible to do varsity sports w/vagelos as long as you manage your time well. In general, about 20 people complete the program out of the ~40 that start off. It is possible to drop out at any time and signing up for the vagelos program is by no means binding.</p>
<p>@hellokitty44: Vagelos students are exempt from chem lab partly because Dr.Lu does assume students have a fairly strong science background but also because he simply does not approve of freshmen chem lab (he thinks it’s pointless and poorly organized). If you do not feel confident about your chem abilities, it is possible to start off with chem 101 rather than 115 (the honors version). And yes, I believe that if you dropped out, you would have to make up the chem labs.</p>