<p>Just wondering - why are the M&T and Huntsman program so popular to applicants? I would never have thought that international relations (huntsman) and engineering (M&T) would be more popular than two amazing science programs, VIPER and LSM! Also there’s a prestigious bio-dent program and a nifty nursing program, which get no attention. IIRC there was also a computer science related thing. How come these programs don’t have the “stigma” of Huntsman/M&T? </p>
<p>A big congrats to all those that are in Huntsman/M&T btw :D</p>
<p>First of all, Huntsman is not an International Relations program. It is a dual degree program in Business and International Studies. International Studies is the intensive study of a particular region.
There is a couple of reasons for the popularity of these programs. One is the resources available. Help with job/internship placement, a dedicated lounge and classrooms, etc. Another is the community that is fostered. Many students choose Hunstman over Harvard, Yale, etc. and for a lot of them it is because of the cooperative learning environment, as opposed to a more competitive one. Huntsman students become invested in the collective success of the group, and this is fostered very intentionally (a big part of them all living together the first year).
Acceptance to these programs is far more selective than HYPS, so another benefit is that the students are all with other students who are truly the best of the best. Because so many of them turn down other top programs, they are exactly where they want to be.</p>
<p>I’ve recently been accepted into Vagelos LSM, and I guess I’ll share insight as to why. </p>
<p>The idea of getting two bachelors degrees in four years is truly a sight to behold. I mean, Harvard, is indeed, “Harvard” (said with more emphasis/weight). But Harvard cannot provide me with this outstanding opportunity to get TWO degrees in four years. And, Penn’s vibrant campus, the enthusiasm of the students, the lovely city nearby (I’ve always loved living near the city), and the availability of resources is just fantastic. At least in LSM, students are guaranteed two paid summer internships! And at top firms, such as JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, GlaxsoKlineSmith (sp), to name a few. This is just the bare minimum of why I love LSM, and am so happy every single day I was accepted (even though it’s only been two days).</p>
<p>And only 20-25 kids are accepted GLOBALLY, so yes, it is harder to get into this program than HYPS.</p>
<p>Oh, and PrincetonDreams is known to be a hater so take everything said with a grain of salt. Huntsman numbers have been in low single digits for years.</p>
Not to mention that Penn’s overall acceptance rate (ED + RD for all 4 undergraduate schools) has been well below 20% since the 2005-2006 admissions cycle, so that his claim of a 35% Huntsman acceptance rate for the 2008-2009 cycle is ludicrous on its face. NOTHING that PrincetonDreams posts in the Penn forum is credible.</p>
<p>M&T and Huntsman have been around for longer than LSM and (obviously) VIPER, I believe. Accordingly, they have greater alumni networks. I can attest to M&T’s being absolutely ridiculous.</p>
<p>M&T gets you places.
i came pretty close to saying that in my essay.
although… i was rejected from the M&T essay so i’m guessing that wasn’t what they were looking for…
oh well i wasn’t dying to be in it.</p>