<p>Hey guys! I was recently accepted into Penn CAS off the active wait list and I'm absolutely thrilled. I will definitely be attending UPenn this fall, but I am not sure if I want to do pre-med, or some combination of econ/math/and comp sci. I just had a couple of questions regarding these two options:</p>
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<li><p>Is pre-med at UPenn cutthroat? Are there are a lot of research opportunities at the medical center/ city hospitals?</p></li>
<li><p>What do pre-meds at Penn typically major in?</p></li>
<li><p>For CAS students interested in finance internships and jobs, do you feel overshadowed by Wharton students or do you feel that CAS students have a good chance at getting recruited to bulge bracket or MBB positions?</p></li>
<li><p>How hard is internal transfer to Wharton or other dual-degree programs?</p></li>
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<li><p>It’s not as cutthroat as it’s made out to be, but it is competitive. People won’t tear up your notes/sabotage your computer or anything like that. But, classes and grading are designed to pit you against your peers, so there definitely is competition. However, this won’t stop you from studying and being friendly with your friends and fellow classmates. After some time, you get adjusted to the atmosphere. The key is to be humble and not be a pretentious prick when it comes to grades. Everyone hates an egotistical know-it-all.</p></li>
<li><p>Typical premed majors like bio, chem, biochem, BBB, etc. I know a couple premeds who are majoring in psych or HSOC or another social science, but it’s not too common. Although, I do know a few premeds who are getting a duel-degree with another school.</p></li>
<li><p>Not really. Because Wharton is here, there are a bunch of resources to get involved with finance-related opportunities. Career services regularly sends out emails to your class with a huge list of opportunities relating to a variety of fields (including finance/business). I’m also pretty sure you could just go to career services and ask them to put you on a listserv that emails opportunities relating to your interests. Not 100% sure though.</p></li>
<li><p>I know quite a few people who have transferred to Wharton, so my guess is that it’s not too difficult. Getting into a duel-degree program is obvious harder since spots are more limited and applicants are probably a bit more competitive. Google may help you more though.</p></li>
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<p>^ Agree completely with his 1 and 2</p>
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<li><p>Yeah it’s definitely easier to get finance internships if you’re in Wharton. CAS students have a chance during On-Campus Recruitment, but I’d probably say they feel overshadowed by their Wharton peers (just putting aside the “Wharton prestige” and load of crap about the division of students caused by it, why wouldn’t someone who goes to a BUSINESS SCHOOL do better for those things than a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts?)</p></li>
<li><p>It’s relatively hard to transfer to Wharton (it’s definitely the hardest school to internally transfer to). That being said, I have a bunch of friends (some of whom used to be premed) that have done it. You just need to retain a high enough GPA your freshman year (I think something like a 3.8) and have to take a couple Wharton classes so you’re not way behind the curriculum when you do transfer.</p></li>
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