Thank you!!! Yeeeah so many talented people don't get in, so unfortunately, we just have to keep expectations low and hope for the best haha

Suuure! I'll write up a summary and reply soon :)

Thank you!!! I actually forgot to explain my major at Penn ooops. But basically, I got into the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER), which is a coordinated dual degree program at Penn focusing on advancing sustainable energy. In the program, we pursue an engineering degree of our choosing (I'm doing mechanical engineering since Penn doesn't have aerospace) and a science degree of our choosing (i'm doing earth & environmental science) + we have additional energy science research requirements. I've always wanted to either become a pilot or work to make passenger aircraft & aviation more sustainable so that's why I applied to VIPER lol. I believe that coordinated dual degree programs (there are a couple of them at Penn) are technically harder to get into since they have very small class sizes (for example, my VIPER class has 25) & are popular as they provide many additional resources & opportunities (& the second degree). However, if you feel like your personal story & values align well with specific dual degree programs (you will have an additional 650-word essay to explain), it might be easier for you since the program directors help undergrad admissions decide who they accept. Also, if you don't get into a dual degree, you can select an undergrad school (see the 4 below) that will consider your application normally--keep in mind that Penn admits by school (college, engineering, wharton, nursing) rather than by major. The acceptance rates probably vary from school to school but not by much. Overall, I feel like it's best to just select a school & major/program that fits your interests the most (that you can justify with your ECs & essays) and not worry too much about acceptance rate because at a school like Penn, everything is basically a lottery😭 Gooood luck and I hope you get in :)

Thaaanks! And lowkey before Penn, I felt like I was already really fortunate to be recognized by so many amazing engineering schools, so perhaps Penn felt more like winning a lottery to me haha.

I'm thinking of making a video about it, but I'll try to write a summary asap and reply to you :)

Thank you so much! I'm actually thinking of editing a vlog over my winter break haha, hopefully👀

Great question! I actually didn't opt into any of the waitlists because I preferred certain schools that accepted me over those waitlist schools & I also didn't want to take away chances from those who wanted to get off the waitlists :)

WAIT YEEEES, can I ask your for your name if you don't mind😭

Yaaaay, gooood luck if you are applying in the future! (or if you applied ED, I hope that went well :D)

Yep! I'm thinking of perhaps doing a video, but I'll try to write a summary and reply to you soon :)

please give me some tips on the application! what was your personal statement about?