Who is applying to Penn Dual Degree Programs? Which One?

Anybody applying to Penn Dual Degree Programs? Early or Regular?

Hello! I’m applying ED to the VIPER program. What about you?

I’m applying ED to M&T. Hope we get in!

ED to M&T. Interviewing this weekend!!! So nervous it’s ridiculous. I heard the M&T acceptance rate is actually between 1-3%, so I also chose SEAS ED as a fallback. I read that applying applying for a dual-degree program also increases your chances of acceptance in the regular degree program. Either because only the strongest candidates dare apply for a dual-degree in the first place - or because the additional essays (when done well) provide more opportunities for the applicant to stand out. Either way, now those of us who applied with an ED backup essentially have TWO chances of getting admitted! Hoping that will be enough!

Penn Dual-degree programs especially H, LSM and M&T are fully merit-based. Any hook is likely not helpful. GL

@J2H239 - where did you see that? I’ve been trying to get more information about the admissions profile to the program, and hadn’t seen anything stating that typical hooks (gender, URM, geography, legacy etc.) are not considered. Not doubting you, just wanted to know where you heard the info.

You can read a lots from the profiles of current students and graduates…ask Penn95 who might know something…

I believe this merit-based argument is more accurate for the dual degree programs, especially since the class is 21% international. Being female doesn’t really help either; only 35% of the class is female.

Anybody else?

M&T

ED: computer & cognitive science : artificial science
Fallback : SEAS

ED: LSM
Fallback: CAS

On that note, do the fallback school (in my case CAS) admissions officers read the dual degree essay (in this case LSM supplement?)

@rosaliefontaine Yes, they do

Forgot to say that my fallback is CAS.
(VIPER applicant)

@Burrito12 How do you know that the fallback school sees the dual degree essay?

From what I understand, there’s no special committee for the dual degree programs. There’s just one admissions committee.

@Burrito12 I know for VIPER at least that some of the heads of the program in conjunction with the admissions officers from each of the schools in the dual degree read it. I would imagine it is the same for all of the other dual degrees.The decision process is rather informal as it all comes down to “fit” and ultimately it is up to the heads of whatever program you apply if you get in or not.

Anybody else?

For dual degree they send you to the regular admissions office and then filter out the applications that aren’t qualified before sending out a smaller pool to the office of the dual degree you are applying for.

@rala2018 wait, how do you know? is there a source for this?