anyone applying to Upenn’s digital media program? Any get in early decision? thanks!
I’m applying RD! It’s kinda tough - I don’t have a formal art background, nor a portfolio to submit - but I’m trying to insert as many of my art hobbies as possible into the supp essay.
How’s your application?
@greenstranger Hey! I’m the opposite, I have so much going in my portfolio but not much background in math/compsci/physics. I’m gonna take Math 2 to try to compensate for that. Ahh there’s so little info about the program online that it’s hard to determine what they look for in an applicant, but I hope we make it! How’s your app going?
@aych1686 I’m just about done, only revising my essay here and there. Also wondering whether to put an emergency portfolio together…how long did it take for you? As in putting up the portfolio on a website, not doing the artwork.
Hahah it is hard! I had to scour for every bit of information ever on the program before I could start on the essay. On the whole, I think what they want to see is evidence that you’re really into the math side of graphics, or at least have a clear idea of what you’re getting into, and that you’re not just some kid signing up because the program “looks awesome”.
Hmm - did you have compsci classes in your school? I didn’t D: though I’ve tinkered with gamemaking software for a while.
Hope we make it! All the very best!
@greenstranger I know a girl who didn’t submit a portfolio at all but she got a lot of comp sci awards and she got in, so i’m still confused as to what they’re looking for! but I think you’re right, and I’m trying to show that I know what I’m getting into through my essay, but it kind of sounds like I’m just restating the curriculum and facts about the program. Any advice?
And my school does offer classes but I didn’t take them 
game making software sounds awesome though, you’ll definitely stand out! and if you do want to put together a portfolio, i suggest using squarespace if you want a website (it costs $12 though i think). most people use behance or flickr for college portfolios, they’re super easy & fast and it’s just a link. good luck!
@aych1686 Hahah don’t fall into the CC trap and ask advice from someone on the same footing as you! But anyway - I’m happy to share my thoughts, just take them with a pinch of salt.
Well - one way is to weave both your past activities and parts of the DMD curriculum together, in every paragraph. Make it sound like there’s a natural progression from what you’ve done to what you can do in the program. I’m sure that with your art experience, you can think of something like that - Lineart? Shading?
Also, I’m picturing it from the adcom’s perspective - they’ll probably want to admit people from a variety of backgrounds, like the girl you know.
“Yeah, this one seems really invested in all things graphics. No-brainer admit I guess.”
“This one has very little art experience, but seems to be a solid coder and fast learner. Take her in!”
“This one’s all about art, but you can tell from the essay that he’s pretty logical/math-minded too.”
And thanks for the suggestions! I’ll jump onto it - I need to salvage my app, hahah.
@greenstranger thank you! & good luck with everything, I hope both our apps are the best they can be within the matter of days we have left 
hey guys! i’m applying too. not gonna make it 99% sure. what were your numbers @aych1686 @greenstranger
Date applied: RD
**Which school/major: ** DMD!
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2250 (M 800, CR 680, W 770)
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II (place score in parentheses): Math II 750, Physics 730
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): Uhhhhh
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/95 by predicted IB grade, about 5-10/95 by GPA
AP (place score in parentheses): N/A
IB (place score in parentheses): Predicted 45/45, Actual 43/45
HL Math (7), HL Physics (7), HL History (7), SL English LL (7), SL Mandarin B (7), SL Economics (6)
Senior Year Course Load: 3 HLs, 2 SLs (knocked off Mandarin the first year), TOK, CAS, EE
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): N/A
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses):
4 years of coding-free gamedev (check it out, it’s called Little Green Soldier!);
Model UN (co-founder/VP/chair of interschool conference); Debate Club (co-founder, captain, varsity);
National Cadet Corps (Unit Sergeant Major); Student Council (head of PR);
School play scriptwriter/performer; TEDxYouth presenter
Job/Work Experience: None unfortunately. Blegh
Summer Activities: The Asian equivalent is end-of-year holidays, and we only get a month. Did my EE, more gamedev, went to Cali to visit all the other unis I’m applying to.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): random unknown score Tried to weave in pixel art, gamedev and my senior math project on rainbows while talking about specific classes I looked forward to in DMD.
Teacher Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): Erm…won’t kill me, I guess? Math teacher knew me well and was quite a fan of me, but physics EE mentor just sort of knew me on the surface. Welp
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): Probably good, she watched me grow up since Grade 7.
Additional Rec (rating 1-10, details): Nope
Interview: No
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Nope
State (if domestic applicant): International!
Country (if international applicant): Singapore
School Type: Small-ish private international school
Ethnicity: Asian (Malaysian Chinese)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Upper-mid I think
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None
No, I don’t expect to get in really. No code and very little art to show. Good luck to you two! And every other DMD applicant eyeing this thread!
@greenstranger sounds like you have a great shot, im not kidding! you’re a shoo in, and upenn loves internationals
@sulkyle98
Hahah, thanks I guess? But In the end we all have to wait for the decisions. I’m quite convinced that I’m not a shoo-in if everyone else applying to this program at least has an art class or two, or any coding experience - and anyway I just got the “no merit scholarship for you” email from USC, so I’m a bit on the pessimistic side right now.
Erm - you wanna post your stats too? Then we can all sort of know each other!
@sulkyle98 im from PA, 2200 SAT 3.3 GPA/4.5W, 800 Math2, 800 World History, 800 Literature, made a drawing/sketch/graphics/photos portfolio, okay essays, 3 internships/lots of comm service/research over the summer. i think my gpa really tanks me, and my common app essay was the unrevised last minute one that i sent. id be lucky to get into penn, but im not counting on it, hopefully ill get into my top choice which will also be the one thats best for me! praying!
@greenstranger sorry i accidentally tagged myself haha!
@sulkyle98 Hot damn. If I’m a shoo-in you’d be a chase-in-with-a-butcher-knife! And from what I know of the other subject tests, 800 for History and Lit is absolutely insane! You’ve done well. All the very best!
Just curious, what were your internships in? And the research if you’re willing to share as well?
@greenstranger graphic design and communications internships, some journalism internships, and bio-fortification research & i would hope so but my GPA :///
@sulkyle98 I’m really not sure about the specifics of the US GPA system, but 4.5 weighted seems like a pretty big deal! I imagine the marking where you’re at is obviously stricter, given your W/UW gap - mine too, here in my school everything is marked to IB standards i.e. a grade average of 70% is considered pretty good, 80% great, 85% incredible, and 90% just theoretical. Chill out man, we’ll see how things go.
Dang I wish I did internships. Hahah
@aych1686 Would like to hear from you too 
@greenstranger in the US unweighted matters more, so yes, my GPA is a problem but hey, i guess we’ll find out in march. do you know the notification date?
@sulkyle98 No, unfortunately D: I’m as much in the dark as you are! Yeah…time to wait it out.
@sulkyle98 my stats are amazingly similar to yours! except my ACT is 30 (should I send it? didn’t do well on the math section, 29) @greenstranger
Can anyone chance me??? I am applying to digital media design with sat of 2200 (cr:720 m:800 wr:680), sat 2 of math 2:780, physics:730 and spanish:640, and UW gpa of 3.96. I take IB math physics art HL and lit spanish b econ sl with predicted scored of 40. I also submitted a descent art portfolio with different media (sculpture, acrylic painting, drawing, photoshop, oil painting, watercolor, and mixed media) and my ec mainly focusses on art and math. I am an asian living in latin america and I am first generation if that counts as a “hook”. Do I have any chance for DMD program?? thanks