<p>cooledge - currently a freshman here who I think is in somewhat of a similar situation you were. I pondered Vagelos - but decided against it as one of the major draws for going to UPenn for me was the liberal arts curriculum. As a BFS Biochem major I know a bunch of the Vagelos (and lots that dropped out) and if you really love science, and are willing to give up some of the liberal arts, by all means do Vagelos.</p>
<p>Personally I also hope to complete my Biochem major and hopefully also an English major (at the very least a minor). There's no doubt Vagelos is a great science program - but I figure there's going to be no other time in my life to take courses in whatever interests me.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, though, that everyone in Vagelos still has to complete the multiple section and distribution requirements of the College, so officially, we get as much "breadth" over 4 years as anyone in the college. The big difference (and drawback for most people) is in the timing of taking such random courses; for other college students, it's early on, while for us, it's later on. During the freshman year, everyone takes math, physics, chemistry, and Ponzy's seminar. That leaves two "free" courses during the first two semesters (ie Writing Seminar, fulfilling language requirement). </p>
<p>Keep in mind that if you have a lot of AP credit and great preparation in a foreign language, you'll have a little more slack. Also, a lot of people tack on a 6th course in something that interests them, but this is obviously not for everyone. I do know of someone who is going both for the submatriculation in chemistry and a major in history, for what it's worth.</p>
<p>Yeah, the thing they sent us kept saying that you should have loads of AP credit coming in, that you should have taken AP in all of your sciences + math. Sucky thing is I didn't, I only got a 4 on chem (not good enough for credit), and I'm taking Calc BC this year (and I have taken BC, I'm in IB HL Math which doesn't cover everything). So am I just totally screwed over?</p>
<p>You're not at all screwed. My high school didn't even have AP Chemistry, BC Calc, or Physics C (so I came in with 0 AP credit). Don't let it deter you if Vagelos is what you want to do.</p>
<p>You can't use AP exams to guarantee credit for biology, chemistry, or physics. Regardless of your AP score, you'll need to take a departmental placement test during NSO. I got 5's on biology and chemistry but they only count for generic credit, not for the intro classes. Since I'm majoring in a science, I still had to take placement tests. It's like a second chance (except you're forced to do it even if you got a 5 the first time).</p>
<p>The placement tests can actually be really useful. In math they have them for every level of calculus past BC. If you took multivariable calc or linear algebra in high school you can take the placement test (which is open notes and very simple IMO) and skip the class.</p>