Penn Vagelos LSM Application Tips and Chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
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For those of you who have gotten into Vagelos LSM or know someone who has gotten into it, or have gotten into a similar dual degree program, what are your tips on getting to this highly competitive dual degree program?

Vagelos LSM is my Top Choice right now, and I’m much less interested in just doing Penn ED at CAS (which would be my second choice if I don’t get in to the dual degree; – I don’t want to do only business so I’m not doing Wharton second choice). Thus, I really wish to get into the dual degree, and just that program. I know I’m definitely a competitive applicant for normal UPenn ED, but for Vagelos its astronomically harder because they take only 25 kids (and less than that if you take into account international students)… what are things they are looking for for this specific program and what can I do to improve my chances?

Profile (i’ll try to keep it brief as possible):
SAT/GPA: The usual for a typical competitive Ivy Applicant. (3.9-4.0 UW)/(99th percentile SAT score - though took SAT’s 3x)/(750+ SAT’s in Math 2, a science, and US History)
Other academics: Class Top 10, National Merit Semi, etc. Course schedule very loaded. Have a couple of school awards. Nothing too outstanding though.

EC’s:


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Not related to Science and Business: Violin - Nationally Recognized; Three season athlete (soccer - [team nationally ranked], winter track+spring track). Art - [scholastic art award gold key winner], Various but not hardcore Volunteer stuff (tutoring, benefit concerts), Chess club (meh), contributor to school newspaper and magazine.

Related to Science and Business (Their website seems to like kids who have more science activities; not sure if I have enough):
Interned at a Lab at UPenn last summer(have a rec from the head director too), DECA member (Business Club - only made it to states though due to conflicts), NSLC (1 summer - national student leadership conference entrepreneurship incubator, my team won the product pitch competition?), Econ Club member, Astronomy Club + Reincarnation/UFOology club (just started with my friend, so this means probably nothing to the admissions officer)

Leadership positions (don’t seem too legit though):
Organizer of the Benefit Concerts and Hospital Visits
Concertmaster and Section Leader positions in various orchestras
Officer (but not founder…) in two clubs at school

Hooks:
URM or Legacy: Nope.
School: Yes. Independent school in PA with very good connection to UPenn. We feed lots of kids there. However, only one kid has applied to or/gotten into UPenn Vagelos.

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Other notes: Additional Supplements - I’m sending a music + an art supplement. They both are good.
My recs are not bad but i don’t think they are amazing. I do have the rec from the UPenn Lab though.
My common app essay is about music. Not about business or science.

Why Penn essay is ok, Vagelos Supplement is decent.

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@fcm951 LSM is probably the hardest program to get into at Penn, even harder than M&T. There are so many kids with perfect SATs at LSM. The average SAT at LSM is around 2310 (for comparison the average SAT for Penn overall is 2200). So when you say 99th percentile, you need to be more specific. A 2220 score is within the 99th percentile but this is lower than the median Penn SAT(2230) and you almost definitely won’t get into LSM with a 2220. Also the average incoming class GPA at Penn is 3.94. I m pretty sure 99% of LSM kids have absolute perfect GPAs, and the ones who don’t are either international or have some other super hook, wow factor. LSM kids on top of perfect or near perfect grades and SATs also have a wow factor which I do not really see in your stats. The Penn Lab work and recommendation might help tho. I think you should def apply cause your profile is within the feasible range.

Out of curiosity what is your second choice after Penn LSM? (since you said you don’t wanna do CAS or Wharton alone). On that note however, if you want you can apply to Wharton and then once you get in you can apply to do an uncoordinated dual degree with the College. It will be the same curriculum as LSM but you will not be in the LSM program.

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What does “nationally recognized” in violin mean?

Your combination of music, art and athletics is strong and distinctive, and should help. Your academic record sounds competitive, but details would help, and there will be people who have been more focused on the combination of biological science research and business. LSM is ridiculously competitive, so you need to be very clear in your narrative about what is important to you.

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@Penn95 @renaissancedad

Thank you for the feedback and comments.

My SAT superscored is currently 2300-2350. GPA 3.94/4.00. not perfect but I really hope it doesn’t hurt me much.

My second choice is Dartmouth/Brown and maybe Yale (reach) in RD. For certain though, I’m applying UChicago EA.
You are right, I still am pondering whether i want to do CAS/Wharton Alone ED if i don’t get into Vagelos, and your point is why I am not writing off the single choice. People also say if I am in CAS I can still minor or get a degree in Econ and take a few classes in Wharton.

Nationally Recognized in Violin for me is that I have gotten all the way to the All-State Orchestra and received national recognition by some organizations. I haven’t auditioned for NYO-USA (the official national youth orchestra of USA) yet but I am planning to.

And yes I know if I am applying regular ED my strengths in Music, Art, + Athletics helps a lot in the holistic review process - especially since my academic profile for normal ED Penn is OK. However, for Vagelos,
You guys certainly raise a good reminder that the Dual Degree program does indeed look for a “fit” between the applicant and the program so my strengths in Music/Art/Athletics may not help much in the context of a high-rigor Business + Science Program. Especially since this is a ridiculously competitive program to get into. I can only cross my fingers haha

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It also depends on what type of school you want and you would be happy at. I am saying this cause Penn is vastly different from Brown, Dartmouth, Chicago and Yale. Btw I personally would not turn down Penn, Chicago or Yale for Brown or Dartmouth but if there is something you really like about those schools go for it. Chicago is diametrically different from Penn and appeals to a completely different type of people. So it might be a good idea to look at the culture, vibe, focus (lib arts, pre-professional, entrepreneuship etc), social scene of the schools and see what would fit you the best.

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Indeed. Also I just found out that you can apply for the coordinated dual degrees after the first year of undergrad (except huntsman, but doesn’t pertain to me since I want vagelos). Perhaps I may just check off CAS as my single school ED option if I don’t get into Vagelos right now and apply again next year. My senior year first quarter grades are currently inconsistent – i’m afraid my A-'s in Physics and Calculus right now may hurt my chances for Vagelos.

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I’m also super interested in LSM–does anyone know the split between RD and ED? I’m concerned that if my status says “deferred”, it means I will no longer be reconsidered by LSM but only by my single choice school. (If I check No for single-school ED)

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welcome to CC @walle999 One of the things to notice is the dates of threads. Old ones like this shouldn’t be replied to. Instead, create a new thread asking your questions.

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@walle999 Typically a little less than half of the class is taken ED (~12-15). Deferred means you will be considered by LSM again.

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I believe a little less than half the acceptances lastyear was ED, and the program had a very high retention rate so class of 2020 is still about 50/50 ED/RD.