<p>I am thinking about applying to the Jerome Fisher program, but can't decide whether to apply ED or not. Also, I'm trying to decide on whether I should major in biomedical engineering or computer science engineering (both seem interesting). I understand that Upenn's biomed engineering is in the top 5, but most people have been telling me that a biomed undergrad is essentially worthless. Anyways, I was wondering if anyone from cc had any info to share regarding this program. Does Upenn give any scholarships? Thanks!</p>
<p>“Does Upenn give any scholarships?”</p>
<p>Nope, only need-based financial aid.</p>
<p>Thanks. Does anyone know whether applying ED to the Jerome Fisher program significantly helps chances? Because I would like to wait and hear back from other colleges like MIT and Caltech before deciding on whether the program Jerome Fisher is for me.</p>
<p>bump (10 char)</p>
<p>I think the selectivity of the program is so great that applying ed won’t help too much. But I mean, if you apply ed, you could be considered twice, which would be helpful. If you’re deferred from the program first time, you could call admissions people, see what your application lacked, and write another essays to make up for your application’s deficiency.</p>
<p>But if it isn’t your clear top choice, don’t apply ED.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. Also, how does the program compare to say attending MIT for bachelors and then getting an MBA from Wharton? I most likely will go into electrical engineering/computer science, but I am also considering biomedical engineering (in which case Jerome Fisher would be a perfect fit if I can get in). The problem is that Upenn doesn’t compare to MIT for EE or CS. Input?</p>
<p>If you plan on getting a MBA from Wharton, I’d go MIT undergrad.</p>
<p>If you plan on getting a masters or phd in an engineering discipline. I’d go Penn undergrad.</p>
<p>Those are, of course, merely my opinions.</p>
<p>Thanks. Opinions are appreciated.</p>
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<p>^ if this is how you feel come fall, then you should not apply ED, only apply early if you are 100% sure that Penn is where you want to be</p>
<p>i applied last year and was accepted to the Jerome Fisher Program last fall, and i dont think that applying early made a big difference to my chances… </p>
<p>i would think that if you are a borderline candidate (for the Jerome Fisher program) they would just defer you, only those who are clear-cut candidates are admitted ED to the M&T program (at least i think so)</p>
<p>ED should really be reserved for your top choice. You don’t want to be at Penn, having a bad moment, and think: “I wonder if I would have gotten in to MIT” or “I wish had applied to Caltech.” Getting rejected from MIT would at least provide some closure. But not applying to MIT might nag at you.</p>
<p>Also: don’t think of MIT as the long shot and Wharton ED as the “sure thing.” ED for M&T or even just wharton is extremely competitive.</p>
<p>^ just to re-iterate , </p>
<p>admission into Jerome Fisher program is almost as competitive as that into mit…</p>
<p>Supposing that I am able to get into the Jerome Fisher program regular decision and into MIT EA (big assumption to make, but just what if…), is it a better route to attend UPenn with its amazing business program but much weaker engineering program, or to attend MIT with its amazing engineering program and then apply for an MBA at Wharton? Thanks</p>
<p>@bat: I’d say M&T is a lot more selective than MIT, especially with their new admission policies.</p>
<p>there might be more money in the MIT+Wharton route, but that will take 6 total years of schooling as opposed to four. it’s a trade off.</p>
<p>after wharton undergrad few go on to need an mba</p>
<p>if you are more focused on a business career id say choose m&t, but for one in engineering choose mit…
make sure that you do find out which school is a better social fit as well…</p>
<p>@qwertylad: which of the admission policies are new?</p>
<p>They’re trying to get themselves further away from being the nerdy technical school. As such, they have far more lenient admissions for less qualified applicants, but making it harder for more qualified applicants. If you look in the MIT admissions thread, a really high percentage of the 4.0/2400 applicants got rejected. A few years ago it would have been a far higher percentage accepted.</p>
<p>Btw, I’m not bitter or anything. I’d be considered one of the less qualified applicants.</p>
<p>Apply ED. It is such a waste of time to apply regular, as I did, and then to realize that you could have saved time and money had you just applied to Penn early. I spent sooo much time with all the application essays and then even more time analyzing and visiting the schools to which I was accepted all to determine that Penn was perfect. Other than Penn, I got into Stanford (off the waitlist), Princeton, Brown, Wellesley and Bryn Mawr. I was waitlisted to Harvard, but after seeing how wonderful Penn is, I would not go to Harvard for anything.</p>
<p>Honestly, Penn has a ridiculous amount of opportunities, a wonderful city environment, and graduate and professional schools that have their doors open to you.</p>
<p>Save yourself time, money, frustration and anticipation. Apply ED.</p>
<p>so did you not end up making Penn RD? Out of curiosity, what were you planning to major in at Penn?</p>
<p>@anon: I got in RD for cas… and will be going next year. I’m simply saying that I would have saved a lot of time and money had I realized then what I do now: that Penn is the best place to spend your college years, with the most opportunities by far. I wouldn’t go anywhere but here. So, you future applicants might as well learn from my experience and apply ED.</p>