Admissions

Penn drops to eighth on U.S. News rankings

Penn dropped three spots to eighth place in the 2013 U.S. News and World Report rankings of the nation’s top colleges and universities. The Wharton School retained its spot as the top undergraduate business school.

Penn's overall yield remains constant for fifth consecutive year

The yield for both the regular and early decision admits was 63.3 percent this year, similar to the yield rate of 62.7 percent for the Class of 2015.

Parent recommendations a trend at small schools

Additional recommendation letters may boost or harm an application, according to admissions experts.

First-generation college students face additional difficulties

According to the Office of Admissions, 14 percent of Penn’s newly admitted Class of 2016 are first-generation college students whose parents have not attained college degrees.

Admitted students to get Preview of campus

Students who have been admitted to Penn’s Class of 2016 will begin arriving on campus April 12 for Penn Preview Days.

Penn waitlists over 2,000 students for Class of 2016

The Admissions Office waitlisted 2,017 students this admissions cycle, continuing a trend of shrinking the waitlist over the past few years. Penn waitlisted 2,400 students last year and more than 3,500 students three years ago.

Admissions Office looks for signs of senioritis

Dean of Admissions Eric Furda said the Office of Admissions usually sends warning letters to newly admitted students and their high-school counselors after a “pattern of lower grades” or a failing grade.

Admit rate holds steady at 12.3 percent

Penn’s overall acceptance rate of 12.3 percent for the Class of 2016 is the exact same as the initial acceptance rate last year. INTERACTIVE: Penn Admission Rates Over Time VIDEO: Your Admissions Memories LAST YEAR: Penn admissions drops to 12.3 percent

Robert Hsu | Returning the favor

It’s been almost a year since I, along with other regular decision applicants, got into Penn. Even though March 30, 2011 seems like a while ago, I try to remind myself how fortunate I am to be at Penn.

Alumni interviewers question admissions process

According to the Office of Admissions, the alumni interview is completely optional and about 6,500 Penn alumni will interview only half of all applicants per year based largely on geographic location and the number of volunteer interviewers.

VIPER receives high volume of competitive applications

VIPER — the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research — was announced in the fall and is currently working to finalize its curriculum and admit its first freshman class ever. VIPER will combine courses from the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Science to educate students on alternative energy resources.

Kyle Henson | Detangling Diversity

Penn’s efforts amount to little more than a band-aid on a gushing wound.

Penn targets prospective students with likely letter campaign

Every year, Penn sends academic likely letters to students the University believes will be competitive in the applicant pools of peer institutions.

Documentary sparks conversation about low-income students

On Wednesday night, Ware College House hosted the East Coast premiere of First Generation, a documentary that follows the lives of four first-generation college applicants.

Penn applicants seek help from advisers

Dean of Admissions Eric Furda said there is “a growing public need for people who are willing to give advice” about colleges, which often comes in the form of college counselors.

Admissions to focus on first-generation applicants

Tonight, Ware College House will host the East Coast premiere of First Generation, a documentary that follows four first-generation college applicants as they make their way through the admissions process.

Penn sees increase in LGBT-flagged early decision applications

“Penn consistently, and more recently, has been seen as an environment that is supportive and welcoming across the board of LGBT students and allies,” Furda said. While the Common Application does not include a check box for applicants to indicate their sexual orientation, many students may choose to self-identify as LGBT through their essays and other written material.

Common Application schedules makeover for 2013

About thirty-five years later in the digital age, the Common App announced last month that its online system is scheduled for a makeover in 2013 to better handle the projected increases in application volume.

Wharton School eliminates alumni interviews for MBAs

Recently, Wharton’s MBA program opted to send its admissions officers around the world to interview applicants who cannot physically attend an on-campus interview, replacing alumni who previously filled this role.

Admissions to launch new likely letter campaign

The Admissions Dean’s Advisory Board — which Dean of Admissions Eric Furda brought together last year to involve undergraduates in the University’s recruitment process — is currently piloting a program for academic likely letter recipients.