<p>Hi all, I applied to Penn's SEAS for the Fall of '11, specifically its Computer and Cognitive Science: Artificial Intelligence Dual Degree program.</p>
<p>It seems that, overshadowed by the more conventional Penn emblems of the Wharton and CAS degree programs, the C and C Dual degree has not been given much attention in these forums. </p>
<p>My question is does anyone have any insight as to if it is easier/harder to get into this smaller and/or less applied-to program as opposed to the rest of Penn? I don't necessarily mean Wharton (obviously one of the harder ones) but just the fact that I have shown interest in a specific program as opposed to a more general AoS? For that matter what is the effect of applying to a Penn Dual degree program as opposed to a a single major?</p>
<p>my academic workload demonstrates my passion for the sciences, as does certain summer projects and my teacher recs, so my decision to pursue this dual degree is far from arbitrary and is thus not an obstacle.</p>
<p>Feedback/insight would be greatly appreciated!</p>
@serialomon Penn does not release admissions data for specific schools and programs. Nowadays it is safe to say that all schools (including wharton) are pretty similar in terms of difficulty to get in. What is prob actually harder is getting in the dual degree programs LSM, M&T and Huntsman and maybe Vagelos too, but by how much no one outside the admissions office knows. In SEAS the NETS program has begun to rise in prominence and also the computer science/cognitive science program. Also there was an email from the outgoing SEAS dean this year saying that SEAS has become the most selective undergraduate school at Penn (he didn’t further elaborate tho so who knows what he based his claim on). What is definitely true tho is that the number of applications to SEAS has increased at a very rapid rate, which reflects the nationwide interest in science and technology and the fact that Penn SEAS students have some of the highest salaries in the country and get a well-rounded education. Also different schools look for different things so you cannot really say for sure one is harder than the other. Specifically for the computer, cognitive science dual degree i don’t think anyone other than admissions knows really for sure if it is harder, easier to get in than applying to CAS or SEAS. I know that for LSM, M&T, Huntsman you are given the option of designating one of the undergraduate schools at Penn as a second choice. so for example you apply to m&t and don’t get in, then if you pick SEAS in your app as your 2nd choice you will be considered for admissions to SEAS. not sure if you get that option for the C and C dual degree too.