Meet three students admitted regular decision to Penn’s Class of 2030

Penn released regular decision admissions results for the Class of 2030 on March 26, welcoming students from over 87 countries and all 50 states to campus.

During this year’s regular decision application cycle — the first since Penn reinstated its standardized testing requirement — over, 61,000 students applied to the University. The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with three students admitted regular decision to the Class of 2030 about their decision to commit to Penn and what they are looking forward to experiencing on campus.

Rialda Maria Popa is from Bucharest, Romania, and was admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences. In an interview with the DP, Popa described her strong passion for chemistry and plans to major in biochemistry and neuroscience at Penn. 

She explained that she worked with neurodivergent children throughout high school, studying “how we can help them and create a more inclusive environment for them.”

“I really loved Penn’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning, and that aligned perfectly with who I am,” Popa said. She said she is especially interested in the University’s Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences Program, describing it as the “perfect place for me to grow as a researcher and to explore my interests.”

Popa also recalled feeling committed to Penn very early on in the college application process.

“It really resonated with me, and I know it’s my place,” she said. 

Despite the University’s “vigorous environment,” she described how she felt the community at Penn was still collaborative. While she has not yet visited Penn’s campus, she said she thinks “college will feel like a movie.”

Noah Boghosian is from California and was also admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences, where he intends to major in international relations.  

Boghosian told the DP about his research on the politics and civic engagement of Armenian American undergraduate students in Southern California, along with his lifelong interest in foreign cultures. 

“I always loved drawing other countries’ flags or learning about their culture,” he said. He intends to continue to pursue that interest at Penn.

“I went to the East Coast, and I knew that’s where I wanted to be,” Boghusian added, sharing how he “fell in love with the campus,” and “absolutely loved how people were engaging with each other.” 

“Everyone seemed really happy at Penn,” he said. 

Looking to the future, Boghosian stated that he is most excited to meet new people and explore Philadelphia’s food scene.

The DP also spoke with Araceli Takaoka, who is from Asunción, Paraguay and plans to pursue a pre-med track in the College of Arts and Sciences. Takaoka described being primarily drawn to studying in the United States as a result of its academic programs and research opportunities.

During high school, Takaoka researched pediatric cancer and now aims to double major as part of the University’s Life Sciences and Management Program.

Takaoka also emphasized her excitement for Penn’s “strong research environment,” adding that she is looking forward to participating in community service through the Netter Center for Community Partnerships. 

“One of my dreams is to become a really good physician with a really good impact in my community,” she said.

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