<p>Hey guys. I just had an admissions question about Penn Engineering.</p>
<p>Typically, admission to engineering schools seems to be much more predictable than admission to liberal arts colleges. I know Duke engineering uses a formula to admit its engineering applicants. To the best of my knowledge, CalTech and Cooper Union also have highly stat-oriented admissions systems. And as a general rule, when I see someone discuss their admissions decision from an engineering school, I usually can see why that student was admitted, just from the material in the post. </p>
<p>Typically, the reason behind the decision is not an earthshatteringly creative essay. It is rather an assortment of very strong testing, an outstanding transcript, and glowing reference letters. An essay can show something like scientific curiosity and aptitude, but in the case of engineering applicants, this may already be demonstrated elsewhere in the application. In other words, getting admitted to an engineering school is a far cry from getting admitted to a liberal arts college. What would work for one would not necessarily work for the other, in my experience.</p>
<p>Now for my question. Does the admissions system at Penn work this way at all? I know it can’t be completely stats based, but from what you guys know, what role do stats play in the process? A paramount role? A very important role? A medium role? A not so important role? Where does Penn engineering stand in the crowd of admissions?</p>
<p>Thanks so much.</p>
<p>Joey</p>
<p>Just citing a few sources of my information. For Duke Engineering, Admissions Confidential by Rachel Toor. For CalTech, Northstarmom recently mentioned in a post to a URM that its admissions process was very stat based (and she definitely knows her stuff). And I've read about Cooper Union's admissions process in a college guidebook.</p>
<p>Joey</p>
<p>uh, its all important</p>
<p>Well, are you aware of any statistics that say anything about Penn's engineering program? Or do you have any experience with Penn Eng. specifically? Or are you just going off of what it takes to get into Penn, in general?</p>
<p>Any more information?</p>
<p>Joey</p>
<p>only that I got in
5.22 gpa (with a 6 for an honors a 5 for a normal a, like top 10% but rank wasnt sent)
34 act 750 sat2 math2c
lots of good ecs
great recs
great essays</p>
<p>if it was purely stat based I don't think I would have gotten in as my stats arent that strong (low gpa)</p>
<p>Well, your testing is very strong. Although no elite program can be purely stat based, many programs can be stat focused. I'm also sure your reccomendations helped you out, and your GPA is still nice (you're in the top 10%, which is good). I'm also assuming you took the hardest classes possible, at least math-science wise.</p>
<p>Joey</p>
<p>Congratulations first off, megamike23.</p>
<p>I'm also planning to apply to PENN SEAS next year; my GPA's around 3.8 UW and 4.2 W, with SAT scores around 1550; and SAT IIs above 770 each. My Science/Math GPA's somewhat low...3.8. However, I do have engineering research and experience under my belt. Do I stand a good chance at PENN?</p>
<p>the ave gpa for penn acceptance from my hs was 5.65 so i had a low gpa - penn engineering is not the best engineering school like wharton is the best business school so it is probably easier to get into seas</p>
<p>if you have ok stats you're pretty much set. like i didn't play any sports or have any (real) leadership positions and i still got in to seas.</p>