<p>I was admitted into Penn's Class of 2017 last Thursday. A few days later, I received an invitation to Penn's Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences Program. I am a prospective biophysics major, hoping to get a decent amount of research under my belt during my undergraduate years to be a competitive applicant to a MSTP (Medical Scientist Training Program or MD/PhD program). </p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone here has experience or information about Vagelos. Is it worth participating in? Does the required work pose a risk to maintaining a high GPA (3.8+)? </p>
<p>I also have a full-ride scholarship to the University of Michigan, whose biophysics program and research opportunities rival Penn's. Vagelos may be the only factor pushing me toward Penn, and I would like to know what I would be getting myself into.</p>
<p>While I myself have never been in Vagelos, many of my closest friends are in the program (or were) and I have been in class with all of the people still in the program (they are required to take modern physics). The main benefits of being in the program it seems is the summer funding for junior and senior years and the advising. Vagelos students are required to either double major or submatriculate. For example, a few of my friends are biochem and physics majors and some may be planning to submatriculate as well/ or instead of a second major. One I know is biophysics and I think will be submatriculating in some related field.
I would do the program if you are really interested in biochemistry/biophysics. However, many benefits you get from being in the program are not exclusive to Vagelos students. You do not have to be in Vagelos to submatriculate, and you do not need to be in Vagelos to get the same research opportunities. The summer funding helps, however you can get funding from other sources as well, it is just more work because you must apply for it.
A disadvantage of the program seems to be that if you are not really into it, it can be very restricting academically.</p>
<p>Do your friends find it difficult to maintain a high GPA while having to double major? What are their course loads like? Does it give them a chance to participate in other activities? In terms of research, how many publications do they author or co-author?</p>
<p>I’m currently a sophomore in the Vagelos MLS program! In freshmen year, you are required to take 5 cu/sem (vs most freshmen who only do 4-4.5 cu) and you only have room for one free elective (the other classes are chemistry, physics + lab, and math). You are also required to take a half cu 8am Vagelos seminar both semesters where you essentially read NYT science and science magazine and get quizzed every Thur on the readings. In terms of maintaining a high GPA, I will admit that I definitely find it harder to maintain the same level GPA as some of my pre-med, non-Vagelos friends but it honestly comes down to being wise about courseload. For instance, while some of my peers took honors chemistry, physics and/or math freshmen year, I opted to take the non-honors version and that certainly helped. Sophomore year and beyond, you have a lot more freedom over the courses you take so as long as you’re wise about course selection, it is certainly possible to maintain a high GPA in Vagelos.<br>
Although Vagelos does take up a decent amount of time, many of us are also involved in frat/sororities, volunteering, work-study jobs, research, etc so there is definitely time to do other extracurriculars as long as you manage your time well! In terms of research, the Vagelos MLS program provides many great opportunities. In the summer of your sophomore and junior years, you get a $7000 summer stipend to essentially work in a host lab of your choice. In addition, just by mentioning that you’re a Vagelos scholar, many PIs are more willing to allow you to work in their lab. Many Vagelos scholars do end up getting published although I don’t know the exact number. So overall I would say that even though Vagelos is known for being very rigorous academically, it does provide many great opportunities so I would definitely consider at least trying it out!<br>
Also, if you have any other questions, please feel free to PM me :)</p>