Guys there is no reason to attack @alwadiya I think a lot of people on here are ED applicants like me and very passionate about Penn, but not everyone is like that. Personally, I’m working on RD supplements right now for some top schools and even though I like them and they have excellent programs, I’m finding it hard to write bubbly, excited things when I’m really only in love with Penn. That doesn’t mean I’m “too good” for the school; I am absolutely not. But unfortunately I just can’t get that excited about them, and that is probably how the OP feels about Penn.
So let’s all calm down. The college application process is rough and we are all just trying to survive it.
“Perhaps we can be like the British or the French and just accept people based on qualifications, and not their desire to go to the school.”
That would make for a really bad college experience in my opinion. Who wants to go to a school where the students are not extremely passionate about being there? There is a reason that American universities don’t do that. They want to reward interest, something I think is extremely good for students everywhere. It gives those who really want it hope that they can get it — attainable hope. I can admit that yes, it is okay (but probably not really worth your time) to apply to schools you are not interested in, but that can reflect in your essays. Be yourself. The essay is really there to distinguish those who want to go to the school from those who don’t. If it works out like it’s supposed to, then you won’t have a problem because you don’t seem to be a fit for Penn. It will naturally root out those who want to be there from those who don’t. So yes, it is a waste of time for everyone to be mouthing off to you, but don’t be surprised by what happens because what everyone is saying is right.
I think if you just genuinely speak about how you are interested in math and science and he you’ll further explore it at the stage of UPenn it could also work; this way you focus on yourself, not Penn. I think the fact that they have a strong Math science program is reason enough for you to apply.
We are not going to “be like the British or the French” and accept people based on “qualifications,” by which you mean stats. If you want that system, apply there. Yes it’s is a lot of work to apply to 10 colleges and pretend each one is your favorite. But if you can’t think of a reason why you and Penn are a great fit for each other then you are exactly the student they are using the essay to weed out. Why would they want to admit a class full of students who are only there because they didn’t get into Harvard or MIT?
I’m sorry if I came off as butthurt, but I think your approach/attitude came off as obnoxious rather than your intent. Perhaps a better way to phrase your question would have been: “Can somebody tell me some cool/interesting aspects about math at UPenn?”
Schools are not factories, esp U Penn. There is tradition, history and legacy most people can feel when they step on campus… many, many great minds have walked these hallowed grounds and literally changed the world or at least contributed a part in changing the world. The majority of applicants hold the school in revere on that fact alone, and out of great esteem and a great respect for those alumni that have created such significant changes to the world, don’t complain about writing a “Why Penn Essay”.
Would you like a run down of the famous alumni? I see you are interested in Physics- Tesla and Space X founder Elon Musk graduated with degree in Economics and Physics and his work/ business has changed the world… Is his work worthy enough for you?
I am guessing you are foreign or living in a foreign country as to not understanding that kind of nuance… And its nuances in attitude that helps make a campus thrive in spirit and in respect for each other , the school an those that have come before… That is why people are not talking a liking to how your statements came off. Nor would potential roommates… Penn wants to create an environment that is conducive to the whole not just an individual … do you see where we are coming from?
My two sons were admitted to Penn. My oldest, a math major who is graduating from MIT this year, loved the vibe at Penn and he wrote about that. He’s a super extrovert, and loved the people he met at Penn (we visited in his junior year) and liked the energetic environment. I don’t think he wrote about Penn’s math dept, to be honest.
My middle son, who will be attending, applied as a Fine Arts major. He took his Fine Arts statement and stretched it out further to talk about Penn’s STEAM focus. He also added something about the fact that he contacted Penn’s orchestra with his cello supplement (and a teacher that works at Penn that I know) and that they said he’d fit in well at Penn.
Just pick a couple of things that makes Penn special to you. You said there were only two schools that you really liked (a lot), and Penn is one of them, so ask yourself, why is that? My middle son told Penn they were the only Ivy he was applying to (and at the time, it was true, though he threw in a last minute app to Dartmouth, which he shouldn’t have-awful fit), and maybe that helped.
Wait I said there are only two schools I really liked, but Penn is not one of them. But the problem is I don’t know anything about Penn, other than its good at math. I don’t know what makes it unique.
Do more research then. If Penn is a potential choice you should probably spend some time to learn what it has to offer. Or you could have asked what we think that makes Penn unique.
You never know what makes a school unique unless you care about it and do your research. Yes, all the top schools are great, but I believe Penn is unique just like every great school is unique.
You not knowing anything about Penn does not make Penn an “average” great school with nothing that the other schools don’t offer.
Why are you applying to Penn? Answer that question in the essay. If you can’t answer the question of why you’re applying, then that might be an indication that you should not be applying. People have given you good suggestions here, so the rest is up to you.
Top Math schools- Harvey Mudd, Colorado School of Mines, MIT, UCLA, Carnegie Mellon…
Top Physics schools- Cal Tech, MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Harvey Mudd, Rensselaer Polytech Institute
You have posts designated to avoiding humanities core courses like at U Chicago and Columbia… Penn also has core requirements they call the Interdisciplinary approach read about it and see if it truly feels like a fit for you. I feel you are torn between wanting a top “name” school and wanting to study what fits you. If Math and Physics are your passion and you don’t want to supplement that with “humanities courses” check out the above tech schools. They all are highly respected “name” schools in the Math and Science world.
The people in this thread besides alwadiya ought to be ashamed of themselves for openly insulting someone who is making a good faith effort to get advice. To me, alwadiya does not come across as entitled or obnoxious in any way. alwadiya, from my perspective, seems to be saying that math is the same no matter where you go. And to an extent that’s true- math doesn’t change whether you’re studying it at UPenn or at your state school or at home in your room. The derivative of x^2 is 2x and that’s not dependent on where you learn it. The facts remain the same everywhere.
It’s the experience that changes. To answer your original question OP, I think you ought to focus on things besides math that attract you to UPenn. Surely, there should be other factors. Being located in Philadelphia, being research oriented, having world class faculty and, as you’ve mentioned, world class students are all valid reasons to want to attend UPenn. If you’ve visited the campus, say so. There are any number of reasons to want to go to UPenn, and the people bashing you for appearing arrogant or entitled, to me, are simply being mean-spirited and wrong.
@Sam998 “Am I really supposed to be an a$$ licker and tell the admissions comittee why their school is so great, when they already know why? Do I actually have to dig through their website and find specific facts, like the names of professors who I would like to work with, or special programs I would like to do? And why should I …”
"My lack of passion for the school should not be a factor in whether or not I get admitted. I don’t see how they’re remotely related…There are only two other schools which I think are truly special…
“My point remains: UPenn is nothing special among the top 15 universities of the country, but if I got in there and not into the other places, I would totally go…But there are only 2 schools in the entire world that I am especially interested in going to…”
“Wait I said there are only two schools I really liked, but Penn is not one of them. But the problem is I don’t know anything about Penn, other than its good at math. I don’t know what makes it unique.”
These statements, plus the writer not being willing to research on the website or a little more in depth, when 37,000+ students would die to go to Penn, speak for themselves… it comes across as narcissistic …(even if the writer doesn’t intend it to).
***Words like “AM I Really” “Do I actually” “And why should I” are your entitlement context clues BTW.
Disregarding the entire thread, I will try to answer OP’s original question in my opinion. I am applying to UPenn for RD and I’ve interpreted the supplement essay question not as a chance to compete against other applicants on college flattery, but as a chance to express how your interests and skills fit in with the undergrad experience at UPenn. I think they’re just trying to see how your passions and attitudes will fare in the UPenn atmosphere, student environment, etc. Some colleges seek a specific attitude or type of student over another (such as interest in learning over academic skill), so they may weigh a lot of their decision on the essay based on what kind of attitude you give off through your words.
If you really have no ideas or passions for UPenn specifically, then I advise you to talk about your passion in math/whatever it may be (a topic that is not tied to a university) and then mention one or two facilities at UPenn that you can find on the internet. Best of luck!
@runswimyoga I read the thread, saw those posts, and stand by my original comment. There are many who think the “Why X school?” question is nonsense. Whether you agree or not, it’s not a fringe opinion, and it doesn’t mean the person holding it feels entitled to admission.
@Sam998 hey listen, sounds good to me… you and OP can write on admission app that you think the Penn “Why Penn” question is nonsense and why should you both have to sell yourselves to Penn… knock yourselves out.
But I do guarantee you it is a fringe opinion and the over 37,000 students applying to Penn won’t be submitting that essay.
The problem is there is a limited number of spots at Penn (even with perfect stats) and if you look at OP’s other posts on CC he is trying desperately to find a college where he doesn’t have to take a core liberal arts curriculum, so why should Penn fill their spots with people who have the stats but don’t want to participate in Penn’s approach to education … they would be unhappy so Penn asks “Why Penn” to find the students that truly are a fit for Penn and will thrive there… thats why the Why Penn essay…