Should I apply to Wharton or CAS for ED?

<p>I am having trouble deciding between Wharton and CAS for ED. Penn as a whole is my top choice, but I would prefer Wharton because I am aiming for a career in business. I feel that my ECs are below average for Wharton but my essays will be better for Wharton than CAS because I really like Wharton's "business as a force for good" goal. BUT I've heard Wharton is way more selective than CAS and that scares me off. Please advise! </p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>SAT I: 1st time (800 CR, 700 M, 770 W), 2nd time (760 CR, 790 M, 800 W)
GPA: 3.95 UW, Rank 7/230 at private school; schedule is most rigorous with 11 APs
(5 on Calc AB for Wharton)</p>

<p>ECs: Founded a soup kitchen community service organization that cooks/funds full meals for soup kitchens and also has raised about 1K over 3 years so far - I hope to raise more money and make a micro financial loan senior year</p>

<p>-Student Government (9, 11, 12) (major leadership role)
-Sports Journalism (9-12) : editor of school paper, founded my own successful sports website with google advertising, write for numerous online blog sites, won local writing awards
-Model UN (10-12) club president, few small awards there</p>

<p>-Congress House internship with State Congressman in local office</p>

<p>Wrote major research paper on economic effects of civil war..would like to double major in Econ/Poli Sci at Penn (either CAS or Wharton)</p>

<p>Thanks so much! should i apply to Wharton or CAS this fall?</p>

<p>Honestly, you have a solid profile, and I think you can definitely get into Penn CAS provided you execute your essays well and bring a sense of uniqueness to your application.</p>

<p>Wharton is much harder to crack directly, but here’s my logic for why Penn CAS is probably a better idea for your particular situation. Assuming you get into CAS, you can then work hard and you will have a chance at dual degreeing with Wharton; if not, you still have Penn CAS, which is, in and of itself, a fantastic school. You can always also take Wharton classes even as a CAS student.</p>

<p>Thanks for the response. One concern is do you think going to CAS would prevent me from going into finance/banking?</p>

<p>My advice would be to apply for Wharton. It may be a risk, but you shouldn’t be afraid to stick your neck out for what you really want to do. If CAS isn’t what you want, it’ll manifest itself in mediocre essays. If you want Wharton, your application will show it, and Wharton will want you</p>

<p>Banking is really not restrictive to just finance majors. I watched this JP Morgan video and they were saying that the bankers have a wide variety of background such as engineering, sociology, and then of course business as well. If you want the do the whole analyst associate path then you probably will go to business school at some point. All bulge bracket firms care about is that you are smart hardworking and willing to learn which I think a high gpa at penn cas and penn Wharton will definitely show. Also cas might give you a more well rounded education. And frankly if I was given the choice I would avoid the top business school because it can get so competitive that you wouldn’t have much fun. I plan on applying to cas Ed. And maybe doing the logic info and comp program or maybe an Econ and try to get an uncoordinated dual degree in comp sci too (provided I get in). Then try out some internships and see if I like iBanking and go from there</p>

<p>Apply whenever you want! If you like buisness, then I suggest you apply to Wharton. However, if you apply as a CAS student and take Wharton classes, I would assume that you would have a very rigorous schedule. If you want to sacrifice free time for more study and hard work, then apply CAS! But I don’t think you’ll be very happy at CAS, as you don’t have interest in science. IMHO, it would be better for you if you apply Wharton ED as you will take only the classes that interest you, and you won’t be stuck in a boring science class that you hate.</p>

<p>Absolutely apply to Wharton! That’s where your passion lies, and that’ll shine through in your essays. Your stats and ECs won’t be a barrier at all, just write kickass essays</p>

<p>If you are 100% sure on business, Wharton is undoubtedly the place to be. Write a 10/10 essay and you have a chance. All the best :)</p>

<p>Wharton for sure</p>