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- š¦ Today's Scoops Sep 7: Trends in the admission processāfrom a certified counselor
š¦ Today's Scoops Sep 7: Trends in the admission processāfrom a certified counselor
We finished our conversation with Mr. Klein with insights to where he thinks the field is going
Scholar Scoops Admin
September 07, 2024
Good morning folks! Hereās what we have today:
School of the Day: University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
Essay of the Week: UPenn Activities Essay about āIndia Centerā
Counselor Corner: Conversations with Mr. Klein, part 3/3
SCHOOL OF THE DAY
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
Every day, we cover a different school, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.
š Location: Philadelphia, PA
š Undergraduates Enrolled: 11,250
š Acceptance Rate: 7% (54,588 applicants)
š Average SAT/ACT: 1535/35
šø Tuition: $56,212
š
Admission Options: Early Decision (Nov 1), Regular Decision (Jan 5)
š Top Ranking Programs: Business (#1), Public Health (#4), Computer Science (#11) (Niche)
š Most Popular Majors: Business and Management (19%), Social Sciences (14%), Biological And Biomedical Sciences (11%) (Scoir)
Some positives
š¬ Leading Research University: UPenn is renowned for its research initiatives, with resources like the Perelman School of Medicine and the Institute for Biomedical Informatics providing students with opportunities to engage in groundbreaking work in fields such as medicine, technology, and social sciences.
šļø Prime Location in Philadelphia: Situated in Philadelphia, UPenn offers students access to a historic city with vibrant cultural, professional, and social opportunities. The cityās proximity to major hubs like New York and Washington, D.C. enhances career prospects and networking opportunities.
š¼ Wharton School of Business: UPennās Wharton School is one of the top business schools globally, known for its rigorous programs in finance, entrepreneurship, and management. The Wharton Innovation Fund and Venture Initiation Program support student startups and entrepreneurial ventures.
āļø School of Engineering and Applied Science: UPennās School of Engineering and Applied Science offers cutting-edge research facilities like the GRASP Laboratory and the Penn Nano center, fostering innovation in robotics, nanotechnology, and more.
Some negatives
šø High Tuition Costs: As an Ivy League school, UPennās tuition is quite high, which can be a significant financial burden despite the availability of substantial financial aid and scholarships.
š Competitive Admissions: UPennās admissions process is highly competitive, with a low acceptance rate and high academic standards, making it challenging to gain admission to the university.
š Large Class Sizes in Introductory Courses: While upper-level classes may be smaller, introductory courses can be large, potentially limiting personalized attention and interaction with professors.
ESSAY OF THE WEEK
Two birds with one stone: how this student tackled the UPenn Activities Essay
The author was accepted and currently attends UPenn.
I'm tired and a little bit desperate. My clock angrily glares at me through its neon green dial. It's 11:24. The biology exam tomorrow will be murder. I resolutely pass over my textbook, and instead return to the screen where Pandit Jasraj stares back at me. I run through a quick checklist in my mind: I sent out the emails to the members, I typed up the biography for the program, I bought Styrofoam cups for refreshments. Homestretch. I tilt the graphic of the vocal maestro just enough to look funky next to the bold text, "Pandit Jasraj, Live In Concert!" O God, WHY am I doing this? All I want is some sleep.
Why am I the first person called to make flyers? Why do I even do it? It seems hopeless. Another event comes and goes in an auditorium we rent out for the night. Everyone listens to some music and discusses it over a samosa or two, but our goal is not furthered. India Center still does not have the funds it needs to buy itself an address, a place that all the varied and fragmented Indian communities can jointly call their "home." Here they will cease to be Bengalis, Marathis, Tamilians, Gujarathis, or Punjabis. They will not identify themselves as Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, Jewish, or Christian. Here the community will build its own little microcosm to fit into the majestic mosaic of New York.
My friends often ask me if I speak "Indian" at home. That would make it all so much easier, and sometimes I wish there were one such language. But then it is that very diversity which gives Indian culture its multilayered richness. And although it means working extra hours to rally the community together, to shake them up and remind them to vote, to wake them up to the truth of harmonizing all their regional tongues to sing in one unified voice, I am willing to put in that effort. I want that united Indian voice to speak to every name on the membership list, and reach out and address each one's concerns. I want that voice to resonate in public parades and diversity shows, as well as reach into the corridors of Washington so that change can be brought about effectively. I want to strengthen and support the trembling immigrant voices with a vigorous chorus of "The Star Spangled Banner." Yes, I am willing to make my flyers bright and flashy, and send my emails with capitalized entreaties, and look out on that auditorium to see if the seats are packed and the donation boxes are jammed full.
So I do not resent it when Mr. Ralph D'Souza calls me and asks me to pick up the famous Kathak dancer Rachnaji from the train station, or check the sound system on the stage. I put on my India Center volunteer badge, slip on a dark blue blazer, and go cheerfully on my way.
Our thoughts:
This essay works because it feels real. You can almost see the writer, tired and stressed, staring at their screen at 11:24 PM, trying to balance everything. That relatable feeling of exhaustion, mixed with the sense of duty, pulls you in. But then the essay zooms out, showing that all these little tasksāsending emails, making flyersāarenāt just busy work. Theyāre part of a bigger mission to unite a community, and that shift from personal struggle to cultural purpose gives the essay its heart.
COUNSELOR CORNER
Conversations with Mr. Klein, part 3/3
Yesterday, we delved into the general admissions process, and today, weāre closing out our series with Mr. Klein by discussing some significant trends heās observed in admissions over the years. From the rising use of AI to changing admissions requirements, Mr. Klein offers his insights into how students can navigate these shifts and focus on authenticity in their applications.
From your experience reading so many essays and college applications, have you seen any trends evolve in the admissions process over the years?
Cheating! Of course people have always attempted to cheat on their college apps but now, especially with AI, itās become so much easier for students to get around writing their own essays. I always tell my students two things. One, during the admissions process, your number one goal should be to be as authentic as possible. Be honorable and put forth an image of yourself that you are proud of. Two, schools are not stupid. Us counselors and readers have read thousands of essays and we know when itās you and when itās AI writing your essays. Really, cheating isnāt even going to benefit you so embrace the process and do it right!
Thereās been lots of changes recently in the whole process, with test requirements coming back and the affirmative action ban. For our juniors and younger out there, where do you see the field of admissions going in the coming years?
Generally, what I see coming is a move towards authenticity. Every year we see more schools offering interview opportunities, supplemental videos like Brownās famous Video Portfolio or MITās Maker Portfolio. Gone are the days of admissions being decided solely based on one factor, and I think thatās a really good thing in that each student gets to put forth their true self.
In terms of students, Iāve seen more and more kids realizing that not getting into an Ivy League school for example, is not the end of the world. More students are thinking about what they really want from an education and figuring out that an education, even life in general, isnāt just about transactions. As one final word of advice, Iād tell any students applying to college right now to look in the mirror, reflect on being truly authentic, and as long as you have that down, thereās no doubt youāll end up right where youāre supposed to be (even if you donāt know it right then).
As we conclude this series, Mr. Klein leaves us with an important message: the college admissions process is evolving, but one thing remains constantāauthenticity is key. We hope you enjoyed hearing from Mr. Klein and if you want to see more Counselorās Corner sections or anything else in particular, be sure to let us know in the feedback form down below.
LINK LOUNGE
Key Resources & Scholarships
In the Link Lounge section, you can find links to great resources such as scholarships during the college application process. These links can be really helpful and will be updated every Wednesday, so be sure to check back frequently!
The College Essay Guy Podcast - This podcast by Ethan Sawyer, a seasoned college counselor, provides great insights into the college application process. Currently, he is doing a series where he is recording and sharing his counseling sessions with one of his students, Cassidy.
Scoir - This platform provides great information on almost every single college you can think of. It is a great hub for finding out stats about each schoolās academics and admissions.
College Application Notion Template - This great Notion template can help you organize all the work you need to complete for your applications. The author of the template also included a YouTube video explaining how to use the template.
DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Important testing dates are coming up!
In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!
September ACT: Saturday, September 14
University of Texas/UNC Chapel Hill Early Action Deadline: October 15
Most ED, REA & EA Deadlines: November 1
THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?
You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com
IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
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