UPenn or JHU for early decision

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am currently a senior, and I am stuck between JHU and UPenn for ED. Probably majoring in pre-med or biology. Please advise! Am I good enough for both colleges? Is one better than the other?</p>

<p>Here is my basic profile</p>

<p>Weighted GPA: 4.71
Unweighted GPA: 4.00</p>

<p>SAT I Math: 760 Writing: 800 CR: 700
SAT II Math II:800 Biology:730 Korean with Listening:790 World History:680</p>

<p>(Big part of my extracurricular activity is piano)
Awards:
AP Scholar with Distinction, 2013
Mayor’s Service Award for Volunteer Service and Internship in Tongyeong, Kyeongnam, Korea, 2013
Presidential Volunteer Service Award, 2013
Peabody Preparatory Advanced Music Certificate in Piano, 2013
Peabody Preparatory Music Scholarship, 2010-2013
Peabody Preparatory Achievement Award in Piano, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
MSMTA Miriam S. Gottlieb Solo Piano Competition 2nd Place, 2013
Tri-M Music Honor Society Inductee, 2013
National History Honor Society Inductee, 2013
National Science Honor Society Inductee, 2012
Mu Alpha Theta National Math Honor Society Inductee, 2012
Spanish National Honor Society Inductee, 2012
William Kapell International Piano Competition Semifinalist, 2012
Peabody Preparatory Vella Silver Recital Inductee, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Peabody Preparatory Performance Award in Piano, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Peabody Preparatory Fran. G. Zarubick Honors Recital Inductee, 2011
MSMTA Piano Spring Festival 1st place, 2009, 2011
MSMTA Miriam S. Gottlieb Solo Piano Competition Winner, 2011</p>

2

<p>ED is about applying to your top choice school. Ask yourself which college would you prefer to attend and you will have your answer.</p>

3

<p>Academically, Hopkins and Penn are peer institutions so it will not make a major difference if you have a BA from one or the other. </p>

<p>Culturally, they are quite different places. Not necessarily better or worse, just different. Years ago, I had the choice of attending Hopkins, Penn or Brown. I liked all three but felt more comfortable with the intellectual atmosphere at Hopkins so I choose it and never regretted the choice. It truly is a wonderful place but it also is not the best choice for everybody. Other people with the same opportunity would have chosen differently for reasons which were perfectly valid for them. It really doesn’t matter what others think. The only important thing is how you feel. Spend time at each, attend classes if you can, and one will feel more right for you. Good luck.</p>

4

<p>^ Shinbone96 and bonanza speaketh the truth. :)</p>

<p>At this level, it’s really a matter of personal preference and fit. Choose the school where you think you’d be most comfortable, and would best thrive both academically and socially. And THAT is the “best” school for YOU. Translation? Go with your gut (after visiting and learning as much as you can about what it’s like to be a student at each school). You really can’t go wrong with either choice.</p>