<p>Hi everyone - I’m a rising senior and I think that I will be applying to Penn ED. I am also very interested in Biochemistry and came across this program on their website. It is clear on the site that you do not directly apply to this program, so I was wondering what it takes for an application to stand out enough to be invited into the program. What sorts of things (tests, ecs, etc) do admits usually have? There was not much info on past decision threads. Also, is this program well-respected in the scientific community and among graduate schools? It seemed like graduates had been pretty successful. If anyone is in this program or knows someone, what has your/their experience been like? It looks pretty intense. Thanks!</p>
<p>i'm going to be in Vagelos MLS this fall.
i've had 3 years of chemistry... I took I.B. Chemistry Higher Level and I took the AP Chem test. I did a lot of medical/science related volunteer work as well.
all of the classes i'm going to take do seem like they're going to be intense, but it seems like its going to be worth it.</p>
<p>Thank you irinak! Does anyone else have any experience with this program?</p>
<p>my friend got into cambridge university (uk) for medicine. his parents didn't want him to go, so he went to the vagelos program instead - in short, everyone in the vagelos program is extremely bright.</p>
<p>respect-wise, the program is well known, but has only been around for a few years, so its impact is just starting to be felt in the scientific community.</p>
<p>as for being in the program, it's a challenge. you'll get to meet professor ponzy lu and love him or hate him, because every week he'll hand you an issue of nature magazine, and you'll eventually be quizzed on specific details of the research articles.</p>
<p>i'm not personally in vagelos, but from what my friends have said, it's a love/hate sort of thing - either you enjoy it, and thrive, or you get out, and pursue another area of study within SAS.</p>
<p>I'm going to be a Scholar in the fall, just like irinak.</p>
<p>In the paper description of the program, I believe it mentions these qualifications for candidates: demonstrated interest in the sciences (I've had Honors and AP Bio, Honors and AP Chem, Honors Physics), high SATIIs (800 Chem, 800 MathIIC), and a dedication towards some other activity, in which they emphasize that they prefer dedication towards one and not simply shallow dabbling in many (practically all my activities regarded some form of violin). </p>
<p>From what I've heard at least, lots of ex-Vageloses complain to death about the courseload, Ponz, and the annoyance of not having much room to take other classes (oh, yeah, keep in mind the fact that you can only take 1 or 2 non-science-or-math-courses per semester), but the nice thing is that there seems to be a nice support system among Vagelos kids preparing for the ride (irinak, me, and others, in other words), so it may not be as competitive within the program as it seems.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you! Enjoy your senior year; good thing you're applying ED, because I applied RD and life was hell as a result.</p>
<p>Oh, and I believe that it's Science, not Nature magazine (not that it matters much).</p>
<p>yes, sorry about the confusion, it's science.</p>
<p>Ok, you are going to hate Vagelos, I know a few kids and they hated it...to the extent that to spite ponzy the dropped degree program in front of his face....</p>
<p>Now the good news...</p>
<p>The beauty of Penn is that if you find out you dont like Biochem/whatever(because to be honest around 40% prolly have only the slightest idea of what it is) is that there are so many other excellent programs/majors to join and excel at...you are not left optionless at all. Actually to be honest, if you dont want to become a grad student lab rat type, whatever presitge or recognition or whatever positive you tihnk you are deriving from vagelos is quite useless. Because my impression is that those are the type of people vagelos want to turn out, those who will completely immerse themselves in biochem and go on to do further education/research in it(AKA if you are pre-med, it is not really for you, and I hear if ponzy finds out, he will hate you).</p>
<p>ASR</p>
<p>EDIT: But, if you really do love Biochem and want to continue further research etc. in the field, vagelos is INDEED for you... definitely a rigorous and respected program, but you will come out on top with a great background to further your learning and research.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help everyone! I definitely want to study biochemistry, so this seems like the right program. Hopefully I will be invited.</p>
<p>What does it take?</p>
<p>Ok very simple</p>
<p>good SAT scores</p>
<p>AP Chem...AP Physics , good scores... SAT 2s sciences good scores...</p>
<p>that sort of thing will get you in</p>
<p>they just want to see that you can handle the rigours of the program..</p>
<p>So you wanna get into the Vag, eh? You gotta go all the way -- no holding back. Otherwise you won't hit home for optimal results.</p>