My Turn: Chances at Wharton ED and/or Joint Degree Programs

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>First, let me say my father went to Wharton. So, fortunately, I have LEGACY status.</p>

<p>My dream has always been to get a Wharton degree while satisfying the pre-med reqs. With this new joint degree program (Roy Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management), I am extremely excited. However, we all know the selective nature of Penn’s joint degree programs. So tell me what you all think. I will apply ED to this program, and also select to be evaluated for just Wharton ED… however, I am afraid I could very well be denied and am thinking maybe I should just select the College to improve my chances…I really want Penn. Also, how do I look for MIT… (they have a nice business program, very flexible, will allow for pre-med reqs to be satisfied)</p>

<p>White Male</p>

<p>SCORES: Old Sat: 800M 710V
New Sat: 800CR 770W 720M
COMBINED: 1600/2370</p>

<pre><code> Sat2’s: 790 Math IIC
760 Chemistry
760 History
750 Writing
750 Math IC (I shouldn’t have taken this lol)
</code></pre>

<p>11th grade AP Scores:
AP Calc AB: 5
AP Chemistry: 5
AP US History: 5
AP Psychology: 5
AP Language/Comp.: 4</p>

<p>GPA: 5.00
Rank: 9, but possibly lower. Out of at least 700 kids.
Took 5 APs in 11th grade. Will take 5 APs next year (was going to be 6, but schedule got screwed up)
Never recieved a B… all straight As.</p>

<p>Highlights/ECs:

  1. 1st Chair (top rated) Percussionist in All-State Orchestra 9th Grade
  2. All-State Band 11th Grade
  3. 1st Chair in all All-County Bands/Orchestras since 10th grade
  4. Have been a percussion clinician for an official Middle School band camp in my 10/11 grade summer
  5. Been hired three times to play with a dance band made up of professional musicians/Band Directors in this county
  6. The Broward Community College Jazz Band drumset player (9-11 grade. 12 too, I am assuming)
  7. Did a two week internship in a radiology practice/hospital. Read a book on radiology. Successfully diagnosed numerous radiographs :).
    THING IS, I did this with my uncle, who is a radiologist. This may take away the validity of this, but I truly did follow him around everyday 9-5, and took it seriously. In fact, I believe this type of an internship was better, as it was more personal… and I got a couple of damn nice lunches out of it :).
  8. Played drumset in Temple Band (9 grade…maybe 10, can’t remember)
  9. Was in rock band. We won best rock band award at County fair.
  10. Hired to play for a graduation band for Nova SOutheastern University (10-11 grade)
  11. Other bands and stuff :)</p>

<p>Awards:

  1. I guess all that 1st Chair Band stuff counts
  2. National Council of Teachers of English Writing Contest Nominee (results Oct. 05)
  3. ALgebra 2 Honors Excellence Award (9th grade. Teacher picks one student in class to get award)
  4. Chemistry and Physics Honors Excellence Award (10th grade)
  5. Won 100 dollars in school Best Short Story Contest, 1st Place, sponsored by County Library
  6. 3rd place in school literary fair.
  7. One of those AP Scholar things</p>

<p>Leadership:
Service Club Secretary (10th grade) and VP (11th)
NHS Secretary (12 grade)
The Pit/Percussion section leader (12th grade)</p>

<p>Leadership Project:
After being wrongfully denied from NHS cuz of supposed invalid leadership (as well as many other students; which resulted in endless livid phone calls from parents), I took the initiative to contact county NHS liason, and talked to him about the NHS application. After presenting a plan of action to school principal and other administrators, I got their support to remake the inequitable NHS app. NHS now uses my remade APP. We recieved only 1 phone call this year, and it wasn’t even a real complaint. </p>

<p>Clubs:
Mu Alpha Theta
Spanish Honors Society
NHS
Math/science/ other stuff</p>

<p>Employment:
I teach drum lessons. 10$ per half hour at my house/12$ at the student’s
Have washed cars
That dance band thing I did and other bands I guess</p>

<p>Ok, so, I guess that is about it. AS you can see, Music is my passion. I figure my app. is pretty solid. Some pretty cool things like 1st Chair All-State and that leadership project. And then little things scattered throughout. I think it also shows my passion for a good education, as I am pretty well-rounded. However I still fear I don’t have something really WOW. Like some kids win these National Science/Research Comps and whatever. I guess we are all different.</p>

<p>Essays I believe I can make very personal/emotional. Recommendations will probably be Ok. Not sure.</p>

<p>OK, so give me the truth!</p>

2

<p>I don't know about the joint degree program, but with your stats and the legacy, you 'should' get into Penn. You just have to decide if you want business (Wharton) or Pre-med (College) as your backup to the Vagelos.</p>

3

<p>Right. If I choose Wharton, how do I look? And, btw, Wharton doesn't eliminate Pre-med. It is still possible, but will take a lot of work.. I've looked into this, and even created a schedule.</p>

4

<p>GPA 5.0??!?</p>

<p>haha your ECs kinda seem a little one-sided (geared towards band). are you planning to play for UPenn's band?</p>

<p>nevertheless, with your stats and legacy, im pretty sure you have a very good chance of getting in wharton ED.</p>

<p>go comment my thread and give me your advice!</p>

5

<p>Haha, GPA is weighted.</p>

<p>Your stats look great, too. And by the same token, one could say your ECs are "one sided." However, I don't think this is a bad thing. It shows passion, and that is what adcoms are looking for.</p>

<p>And about that UPENN band thing... I wonder if my ticket could be being recruited for it...hehe :)</p>

6

<p>To be honest as long as you have ECs, you're fine :/ I think the way you present your app and how your essays sound matter a lot too. My ECs were awful but it didn't matter much.</p>

7

<p>yea, I think the essays is where it will matter.</p>

<p>And I think you and bern700 knock yourselves way too much. I saw your stats, they are fantastic.</p>

<p>When you say having ECs, are you saying I don't have them? I didn't understand.</p>

8

<p>No I think you have a fine shot at any school you send an application to. Your stats are great, so the deciding factors in your case will be the subjective, personal ones (ie. essays, recs, etc). As long as your teachers can rant a little about you, and your essays show some creativity... you will be totally set.</p>

<p>Edit: By the EC thing I mean as long as you are involved with any given set of activities. You have a pretty good list that shows dedication so that will help you. As long as you're doing activities (and those activities aren't just random clubs to throw on a resume to make a list longer), I don't think ECs should ever be an issue.</p>

9

<p>tm2000, i've met the drummer for penn, at least for their jazz band, and trust me, there is absolutely no way you or I, despite our outstanding drumming abilities, will play for penn jazz, at least for the first two years. He is incredible and he will only be a sophmore this year.</p>

10

<p>. . . if we get in that is, which you have a great shot at doing.</p>

11

<p>I think your biggest concern will be explaining the whole Vagelos interest given what kind of ECs you have. I would guess they are expecting applicants who have taken a lot of science courses/tests and have science/medicine related ECs. So the essays will be a huge part of it. I haven't looked at the app but I'm guessing there is a Vagelos specific question on there? Also I wouldn't default to the College just because you think it's easier to get in. If you want Wharton, you should apply to Wharton. Adcoms don't like back-door Whartonites. And definitely apply ED.</p>

<p>But I think it's awesome that you are so into music. Wharton likes well-rounded/different people so that's a great spin.</p>

<p>And I would totally mention your desire to be in the Penn Band (which I love) in your essay. I feel that they are a big part of school spirit at Penn, especially during homecoming and at the basketball games. Love the band...</p>

12

<p>Yea, whartonalum, that's my concern about my App and Vagelos. The essay question just asks why you are interested in such a combination and to name a specific instance of when you got turned on to medicine with business. But I think I could still have a chance if I express my goals and desires accurately.</p>

<p>Also, though, they will look at me for the j/d program as well as Wharton ED, I believe. But the Vagelos program would be a dream, and make it A LOT easier to get to Med school from Wharton, haha.</p>

13

<p>any other opinions?</p>