UPenn: SEAS or CAS?

<p>I am applying to UPenn early decision and hopefully will be accepted to their chemical and biomolecular engineering program at their SEAS BUT I was recently told that it is easier to get into the CAS. So I was thinking of applying this CAS for biochemistry and switching my major after the first semester. Is it really harder to get into SEAS? UPenn has been my dream for so long and I would do anything to attend. But I don't know if sacrificing my definite major (if that's what you wanna call it) is a good idea, because I called admissions and they said that all 4 schools have the same acceptance rate. But a friend told me its MUCH easier to get into CAS and that it's hard to get into SEAS if you're not in the Philly area or are not international. What should I do? </p>

<p>ALSO I was told that during the admissions process after you turn in your application and they feel that you are not fit for the school you applied to originally (let's say SEAS) they will email or call you and tell you that you're a better fit for CAS (or whatever other school) to let you switch for a better chance of acceptance. I called admissions and asked them about that but they said no and they only accept or deny you to the original school you applied to. But my friend said that she got one of those letters telling her to switch. Is that true? Help!</p>

<p>Apply for the faculty you WANT to be in. I have a four friends last year applying to Penn. One of them was similar to you, he wanted to be in SEAS, but figured CAS would be the easier way to go. He had great stats, ecs but was deferred then rejected. Another one of my friends wanted to be in Wharton, but figured CAS would be the easier way to go. He had a 2400 AND great extracurriculars. Applied ED and was outright rejected.</p>

<p>For the other two, one of them really wanted to be a chemical engineer and applied straight to SEAS. His stats weren’t good enough, and a lot of people told him to apply to CAS first, then transfer. He decided not to, and got in ED. The second applied to Wharton, even though she knew that CAS would’ve been easier. She got deferred RD and then accepted. </p>

<p>So you see, apply to the school you really want to be in. Don’t try to take shortcuts, more than often, it will backfire on you.</p>

<p>This definitely helpful advice @fuzzypeaches22 , I’m sure everyone has a varying Penn story regarding acceptance or rejection. My stats are nowhere near perfect but I think if I don’t take the shortcuts, they can tell and notice that I am passionate about the school I am applying to. Thank you! </p>

@FuzzyPeaches22

Hi there, it’s very interesting to hear your story! I am having the same problem here–I’m really okay with doing either CAS or SEA, but I don’t know which one to apply to. I’m a female applicant (asian ethnicity) from Canada and my science and math stats aren’t really high in the pool of engineers. However, for me personally I do better in sciences than arts, so my course is also STEM emphasized. I’m in a dilemma right now and I really don’t know which school I’m leaning towards, unlike OP. I was told that SEAs had a higher acceptance rate but I’m also getting the feeling that the applicant pool is much stronger itself that makes SEA actually “harder”. I’m on in this really awkward middle ground where both options sort of work for me but none really stand out. What are your thoughts on this?