Question about Huntsman?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>So I really want to apply ED to Wharton this fall. It is my dream school, though it is sooo hard to get into so I won't hold my breath. BUT even better would be if I could get into Hunstman. If Wharton is my dream school, Huntsman would be.... a wet dream. Lol, <em>that</em> perfect and amazing! International business is my ultimate goal in life. But even after reading over the info on the website, I have 3 questions (or maybe they were addressed but I didn't notice because it's 4:30 AM and I'm half out of it).</p>

<p>1) How many kids get accepted each year?</p>

<p>2) Do you have to be completely fluent in a language? I've become above-averagely proficient in Spanish through school because I loved it so much I would study it in my own time when possible, and also did a Spanish language immersion program last summer (1 entire week was spent with a family who spoke no English at all. And for 2 weeks we had 4 hours of class where we could only speak Spanish). But even with all that, I'm not fluent in Spanish. Sure, I could get by very well, but will this be a problem? I also started Latin last year and have already accelerated through the intensive and honors classes to AP next year and will graduate next year having completed 7 years of it in only 3 years. Will this at all help? Are these not "special" enough languages? I plan to learn Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, and Swahili if possible over the course of the next 8 years (I. love, languages. lol). Should I tell them that, or will my current inefficiency at these languages make me an automatic reject for the program?</p>

<p>3) If I don't get in, could I still possibly get into Wharton? Or is it like an all-or-nothing deal?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>First of all huntsman is international STUDIES plus business not international BUSINESS. very different</p>

<p>I have the brochure here and this is what it says,
“Admission to the Huntsman Program is highly competitive, with a class size of approximately 45 students. Program applicants should have the highest academic potential, with excellent verbal and mathematical credential, intermediate level proficiency in their target language, and demonstrated interest in international affairs…”</p>

<p>Also when you apply you can put down a school you would like to be considered for if you do not get into Huntsman. I think you have to choose Wharton and SAS.</p>

<p>I hope this helped.</p>

3

<p>Yeah I know it is the two separately. Both as I want to do international business I think it would be a really good choice for me. I just hope I could be a really good choice for them haha…</p>

4

<p>born - I think I saw somewhere besides applying ED, you should take the SAT II test in the language you want to do. Just a thought.</p>

5

<p>I think your response is a bit too vehement, oso123. As far as I know, a Huntsman degree is absolutely applicable to a career in international business. While international studies is definitely different than international business, the OP could choose the multinational management or global analysis concentration within Wharton and graduate with great prospects for a career in international business. </p>

<p>In response to the OP’s questions:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Unfortunately, I’m not sure how many students are actually accepted to Huntsman each year. Wharton’s yield (the percent of accepted students who choose to attend) is around 77%. It’s certainly possible that Huntsman’s yield is different, but if we assume that the two yield rates are similar and that Huntsman enrolls between 40 and 50 students per class, then about 60 applicants are actually accepted each year. That’s only a rough estimation, though.</p></li>
<li><p>You do not have to be completely fluent in a language. Advanced proficiency is a requirement, which can be proven via an SAT II score. A 5 on your target language’s AP exam probably wouldn’t hurt, either, but as AP scores aren’t officially reported with your application, I think a high SAT II score is more important. I get the impression that the more proficient you are in a language, the better, but that the intention is to graduate with fluency, not enter with it.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Also, if you are really passionate about languages then being interested in multiple isn’t a bad thing. A quirky, well-written essay on your love of languages might be a good way to present that interest in your application; maybe the adcom will be looking to fill a spot with a multi-linguist (not a word), and maybe not. Either way, you only have to show advanced knowledge of a single “target” language (the one you intend to study if accepted) in your application.</p>

<ol>
<li>I know that during the Early Decision round, which is the best time to apply to one of Penn’s dual-degree programs, you can apply for Huntsman and list either Wharton or the College of Arts and Sciences as your back-up school. If you aren’t admitted to Huntsman and have picked Wharton as your back-up, then you will absolutely still be considered for admission as a single-degree ED applicant. It is also possible to be deferred from a dual-degree program in the early round and admitted during Regular Decision. I’m not sure whether an RD applicant, though, has the ability to pick a back-up school, as I did not apply during the RD round or for a coordinated dual degree.</li>
</ol>

<p>To the best of my knowledge, these answers are accurate, but please feel free to correct me if any of the information I provided is untrue!</p>

<p>Best of luck to a hopefully-future-Quaker, OP! :)</p>

6

<p>The last kid I know who got in was a white guy who was a varsity waterpolo player. He has a 4.4 gpa 2300. He is fluent in Spanish and mandarin. He is now working on french. Got 800s on both SAT 2s</p>

7

<p>@Califlaxmom Thanks! Yeah, I actually read that too somewhere this morning. I’m already taking 3 SAT IIs in the next 2 months, so I’ll probably take the Spanish SAT II in October. I guess I’ll call UPenn soon and ask if taking them then would be okay, because the scores would be in before final ED decisions are made.</p>

<p>@travelbug Wow thanks for the detailed response! Super helpful! I think I know what I’m doing for my main common app essay, but I’ll definitely try to make that one of my other essay topics. Possibly the “Why UPenn?” because when I visited their language department sounded amazing. Everything else during the tour was incredible, too, but hearing them talk about the languages offered and how if there’s no teacher for a language they’ll find one, was definitely a moment of “wow! I can totally see myself here!” Just hope they can see me there, too. ;)</p>

<p>@jengajenga117 Not sure I really have anything in common with that kid, though I do have a substantially higher GPA (unless our schools grade differently, which is entirely possible) and a higher SAT I (2330). But I’m not fluent in Spanish, so I hope that won’t hurt me a lot. I’m just praying that if I study my butt off, I can get a 800 or at least close on the Spanish SAT 2.</p>

<p>Does anyone know if they look at proficiency/regents grades? I got a 100 on both the eight grade proficiency and the 10th grade Spanish regents; pretty sure I’m the only one who got both, though they <em>may</em> have been possibly one or two others in my class of 400+. Would that be considered? Also, does my aptitude in Latin count for anything, or is it irrelevant since I can’t actually use it directly for the program?</p>

8

<p>Oh, good- I’m so glad to hear that! (By the way, I was also very impressed by Penn’s language department and policies, especially as the daughter of a South African who speaks several lesser-known tongues :). ) </p>

<p>I hope I’m not overstepping now, but I think I might be able to provide a little more insight. First, as far as your essays go, definitely write whatever you feel best about! I actually had a great time with mine. If you don’t want to mention your interest in languages in any of the required essays, you can mention it (if you want to!) in the “Additional Information” section of the CommonApp. (Once you’ve made a login sometime after August 1st, you’ll see a “Writing” tab in the left-hand navigation menu. “Additional Information” is part of “Writing.”) I made pretty extensive use of the “Additional Information” section, and and for things other than an extended activities resume (although I put one of those there, too). I think it’s underutilized and a great opportunity to add to your app if you feel that something’s been unsaid in the required parts. Definitely treat it with the same level of attention as the other parts of the app, though; just because extra info isn’t mandatory doesn’t mean it should be handled casually.</p>

<p>As for the October SAT/SAT II test date, it is absolutely fine to test then, even if you are applying under the Early Decision plan. Here’s a link to Penn’s website that confirms it:</p>

<p>[Penn</a> Admissions: Required Tests](<a href=“http://www.admissionsug.upenn.edu/applying/testing.php]Penn”>http://www.admissionsug.upenn.edu/applying/testing.php)</p>

<p>Scroll down to the first bullet under “When to Take the Tests.” It says that test dates up until November are acceptable, but that November scores have to be rushed.</p>

<p>As for your Latin skills (which sound pretty impressive to me), you could politely request that your counselor mention them in his/her recommendation letter, which is a mandatory part of the CommonApp. Having him/her mention your Regents score might be helpful, too, especially as adcoms always say that they evaluate applicants within the context of their environments. Having the highest score in a certain subject in a grade of 400 students definitely makes it seem as those you’ve performed well given your personal resources. Although my public-high-school guidance department is pretty weak overall, my counselor was very open to including a few things in her rec letter when I requested that she mention them. This might also be another way to work in your interest in multiple languages if don’t use the “Additional Information” section, etc. Plus, based on what jengajenga posted, it seems that if you’re proficient enough in two languages to score well on both SAT IIs, the Latin might help your chances.</p>

<p>Again, good luck with your SAT IIs and everything else!</p>

9

<p>Thank you, thank you, thank you! You didn’t overstep at all- it was great hearing as much as I can about the program! Everything you’ve said has been so helpful and will really be useful as I start this application process soon. :D</p>

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<p>He took proficiency tests. Also, he was number 1 in FBLA in California</p>

11

<p>Unfortunately, we don’t have FBLA or DECA or anything of the sort at my school. Apart from business law (an easy class that bleeds into an easy AP class in my school), there’s not much room to show interest in business.</p>

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<p>^ I participated in DECA, but never at the national level, and that was my only business-related activity besides my job, I suppose. Food service isn’t exactly finance, though! I never took the one business elective offered by my school, either- it’s one of those fluff classes- and the lack of business involvement doesn’t seem to have affected my admission decision. I know other Whartonites, like scribbler91, have also said that they weren’t involved in business activities in high school. It isn’t necessary to have started a multimillion dollar company to get into Wharton; just do what you love! </p>

<p>Here is a link to this year’s CC EDers’ results, by the way:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-pennsylvania/1043240-official-decision-thread-penn-15-wharton.html?highlight=wharton+ed+decisions[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-pennsylvania/1043240-official-decision-thread-penn-15-wharton.html?highlight=wharton+ed+decisions&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>It might be helpful.</p>

13

<p>“If you aren’t admitted to Huntsman and have picked Wharton as your back-up, then you will absolutely still be considered for admission as a single-degree ED applicant. It is also possible to be deferred from a dual-degree program in the early round and admitted during Regular Decision. I’m not sure whether an RD applicant, though, has the ability to pick a back-up school, as I did not apply during the RD round or for a coordinated dual degree.”</p>

<p>So that’s mostly right, except I haven’t heard of anyone being deferred dual and then getting into the dual program…I just feel like they know who they want to accept for the dual degrees (because there are so few spaces) so if you apply ED and they’re not positive if they want you, they’re not going to wait for RD to realize that there’s not anyone ‘better’ in the bigger pool. It is, however, totally possible to get in single choice RD after being deferred from Huntsman (I mean, I did…)–though my deferral letter didn’t mention Huntsman (as far as I remember. That was so long ago.), just Wharton? You can also make it so when you apply ED, that if you don’t get into Huntsman ED, they won’t consider you for your single degree choice and will defer you to be read with RD candidates. (Or be considered for the single degree during ED. You choose).</p>

<p>And if you apply RD for Huntsman, yes, you can pick a single choice option.
Also, it doesn’t matter how qualified you are compared to people who have gotten in in the past. They decide to put together a “class” and it’s pretty random. Majority kids who have lived in multiple countries + [new england] boarding school kids who might not have as extensive travel experience (plus someone from Horace Mann or two) + a few random kids from other parts of the country who sneak their way in. I’m not sure as to the actual ratio, but I’m pretty sure this is somewhat accurate. Other current students can try to confirm/argue with it if they want haha.</p>

<p>Also, if you don’t get into Huntsman, it’s not the end of the world. Less requirements to worry about and you can still study international things.</p>

14

<p>Thanks for the info! I’ll put Wharton ED as my alternate choice then, because before I knew about Huntsman, that was my intention. </p>

<p>I think I also read that International Relations at CAS is only for Huntsman kids, though. So are you saying there’s still an opportunity to be in Wharton and concentrate/focus on International relations/studies somehow?</p>

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<p>@scribbler91- I do know someone who was deferred ED from Huntsman and admitted RD to the program. It is possible.</p>

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<p>@travelbug, guess I’m proven wrong then, lol. It’s pretty rare though (I mean, I guess getting into Huntsman at all is pretty rare, as is getting deferred then excepted–I remember my college counselor being really surprised because the track record of what she seen hadn’t shown that).</p>

<p>OP, it’s “international studies” that is only for Huntsman kids, which is a major they made for Huntsman…it’s really just area studies? International relations is actually a lot of history and political science and some economics…it’s actually what I would have studied if I had known about it two years ago, woops. That’s a dual degree if you do that and Wharton though, which is definitely time consuming. You can always just do minors, or a major in an area (like major in spanish?). There’s also a bunch of classes in wharton with an international bent…there’s like 3 specific international finance classes (intl banking, corporations, and financial markets), there’s a “multinational management” track you can do if you concentrate in management (only 4 classes) plus global analysis, but you can only do that as a second concentration. There are also a bunch of international classes in the bpub and lgst departments as well…lots of opportunities in and outside of Wharton.</p>

17

<p>Okay, that makes me feel a lot better. Even though there’s still a low chance I’ll get into Wharton, there’s even less of a chance of me getting into Huntsman (of course), so at least if I do somehow get into Wharton, I’ll still be able to pursue interests in business and international stuff.</p>

18

<p>Eeks…getting deferred kinda puts you off it looks like… or maybe i dont quite understand the process :s. what i want to know…is that if you’ve been “deferred ED Huntsman”, are you atleast guaranteed a place in wharton ED, but then the “Huntsman” bit of your application is reviewed during the RD admission process to see if you can get the dual program in the end?</p>

<p>Thanks so much if you can answer me, i dont quite like the idea of being deferred ED Huntsman and Wharton and so you have to go through that anxious trauma till April to find out if you’ve been secured a place or not in either :P</p>

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<p>First of all, it should say “accepted” not “excepted”…I’m absolutely ashamed at that -__- (I was also working on three hours of sleep, but it’s inexcusable. I hate when I type faster than I think haha).</p>

<p>PenNY, if you apply early, you either get a) into huntsman b) into wharton only c) deferred from Huntsman d) deferred from Wharton, and then if you got (c) or (d), then come April, c–you get into Huntsman OR into Wharton OR rejected and d–you get into Wharton OR rejected. (or waitlisted for either of these, of course).
And this is just if you put Wharton as your second choice, since you can put CAS instead.</p>

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<p>Hi, a huntsman '15 here! :slight_smile: when i applied, i had huntsman as my only option for early decision but said that i would like to be considered for the college as my second choice in the regular decision round.
it looks like a lot of your questions have been answered but let me know if you have any more!</p>