<p>Hey all,</p>
<p>I am a very recent Grad who did some time as a student worker in both Admissions and Financial Aid. While I am not privy to the entire process, I feel I have some additional insight that I can share in this forum with prospies. Unfortunately, I am rather busy with my new IBD job but I will be very happy answer ALL questions posted in this forum, it just may take a while. </p>
<p>WG171</p>
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<p>OP</p>
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<p>Oooh, thank you! I have a ton of questions... please answer what you can.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Were you interviewed, and if so, what kinds of questions were asked and what was your overall impression? </p></li>
<li><p>What attracted you to UPenn/how did you know it was a “fit”? I was doing some out-of-curiousity research on free speech on (liberal) college campuses and was very impressed by the work of one UPenn professor. I also like the idea of living in Pennsylvania as opposed to DC or in MA (I'm in WA).</p></li>
<li><p>Did you send any supplemental information, and if so, do you feel it helped you? I have some writing I would love to send and I’ve been told it’s a good idea, but I don’t really know how or if I should. </p></li>
<li><p>Did you send any additional letters of rec/Is it a good idea? I have a rec from my piano teacher I am considering sending. </p></li>
<li><p>Do you feel your recs significantly affected your application?</p></li>
<li><p>Did you have a “theme” you ran with? (If you did, it sure worked!) </p></li>
<li><p>How much time did you spend on your essays, and did you give any to someone for editing/advice? I’m a little nervous about asking my English teacher because I don’t want to be too much of a burden. He already made an exception when I asked him for a rec (he accepts 10 people a year, I was #11. It’s a little confusing because I know some people who said they asked him, but their names weren’t on the list; so I’m wondering if the list is selective.)</p></li>
<li><p>Was there something you feel made you “pop out” to admissions?</p></li>
<li><p>Did you visit any of the colleges you applied to ahead of time, or after being accepted? Did they look like what you thought they would, or can some be best described as “not so much”?</p></li>
<li><p>Is rigor more important than GPA? I have the most difficult schedule at my public school (full-IB diploma and then some) but my GPA's taken a hit from Biology and, to a lesser extent, from Calc. My school weighs rank, but not so much that I'm certain I'm in the top decile.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Those were all the questions I could think of!</p>