Is this a good Reason?

<p>I want to go to Penn bc it allows you to take classes from any school and because it offers the submatriculation option. I am in the process of writing my why Penn essay and I am wondering if this will be a good response or should I have something more "jazzy"?</p>

<p>idk i'm sure there will be a LOT of people writing about how they find the one university policy attractive.</p>

<p>the one university policy is a great thing (which i've used to substantial benefit), but it is not what i would consider a particularly compelling reason.</p>

<p>also, it's not unique to penn, but is certainly valuable for students wishing to take advantage of the many varied strengths of this university - if you want to take a law class one semester, a wharton course in another, maybe engineering or nursing</p>

<p>Well I have never visited so I really do not know what else to write about. But I may use the entire space to write about wanting to work with Professor Pierce or something.</p>

<p>Since I am in Texas I am not really able to visit Penn first hand until much later. So does anybody have an suggestions on great things about Penn?</p>

<p>Only a select few students are able to submatriculate in the law/MBA programs, so I wouldn't use this as the central focus of your "why Penn" essay. Some ideas:</p>

<p>(1) Culture--Penn's traditions, student life, residential programs, urban environment, diversity of opportunities.
(2) Academic programs--are there any unique programs that interest you in particular? What do you like about the academic philosophy? Professors you admire? Unique courses? Show that you've done your research.
(3) Extracurricular programs--volunteer programs, student initiatives, research programs. Anything that piques your interest about the extracurricular life.
(4) And most importantly, apply all of these reasons to yourself--how will you contribute positively to Penn? Why are you a good match for the school? How will you use Penn's resources to fulfill your own goals?</p>

<p>Just some ideas to get you started. I wrote my entire essay about the culture and student life; didn't mention anything about academic programs or even my prospective major.</p>

<p>i definitely agree that in addition to describing what penn offers, you should also demonstrate how you will be a positive part of the penn community.</p>

<p>Thanks, this is such great advice. I wrote the rough draft today and it was all about continuing working on research I have done in high school and about researching with Professor Kozlowski bc her research is on applications of enzyme catalysis. It is so much better than my original one. When I finish editing, I will probably post it on here. But thanks ya'lls suggestions really helped.</p>

<p>Also you can submatriculate in just about any subject in the College, not just law or business, so I think it would be appropriate to mention that if you find that an important part of your decision to apply to Penn.</p>

<p>yeah but they are really trying to crack on the submat program. while most penn kids are very smart, handing out masters degrees in four years is still touchy.</p>

<p>most of the very few people who submat are more naturally brilliant as well as hard workers. which at penn is in fact a small minority. basically you have to demonstrate the tip of the top skills and dedication for your field...</p>

<p>Mengcheng9287, but is the submat only hard for the more compeitive grad school things. I want to submatriculate into Chemistry graduate to get a masters in chemistry in four years. Would that be a less competitive option? On the website it listed pretty lax standards to submat for Chemistry. Is the competiveness limited to the law and PhD medicine and MBA programs?</p>

<p>^If you want to submat into chem, talk about the Vagleos program Vagelos</a> Scholars Program in Molecular Life Sciences
Thats what I did and I got accepted to Penn.</p>

<p>I don't understand how submat would be touchy Harvard, Yale, JHU, Emory and Brown have similar programs that allow a student to get a masters in four years.</p>

<p>That program is really competitive isn't it? I mean I have research and publications but I am not like val, I just want to get admitted. If I indicate my interest in the program, would it hurt my chances bc it is competitive? And if I write about that, wouldn't that be the same that many people want about Penn, and therefore not be orginal?</p>

<p>Hate to post multiple questions, but I was reading through the thing and it states that you have to have AP credit in chem, math and physics. I will have a lot of AP in non-science things, but I want to take core science classes at Penn to gain a firm understanding. I mean non-science is less important to my major and more reason to test out. Does it hurt that alot of my AP credit is focused on non-science things and math?</p>

<p>That program is very competitive. You have the possibility for having your last two years at Penn paid for you. Also, you don't need to be a val to be admitted to it, you just need to get into Penn and hope Ponzy picks you up. If he doesn't you can email him and ask to be placed into the program. The program starts out with a bunch of people and they drop like flies by the end of first semester. </p>

<p>About APs, you retake intro chem and physics at Penn. You'll be at a huge disadvantage if you did not take at least AB calc in high school, but aside from that you will retake intro chem and physics anyway. It just helps to take the APs in those classes so you have more background and maybe do the honors courses. If you already have publications that probably means a lot more than getting a 5 in BC calc or Phyiscs C (which have insane curves).</p>

<p>
[quote]
Does it hurt that alot of my AP credit is focused on non-science things and math?

[/quote]

At this point in time what at Penn hasn't been written about a lot? Can any applicant really find anything that isn't already the topic of other essays out there? You just have to make a compelling argument for why Penn is the school you want to study at. Really, you can get a very similar education at dozens of colleges out there. Why is Penn so special?</p>

<p>i guess so</p>