Early Decision Program at Penn?

[deleted825071]

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[JPSmyth]

Does anyone have information or experience with the early decision program at Penn? I'm considering applying there as an MSTP candidate (which is supposedly allowed according to their MSTP website...), and meet the admissions criteria for the program (minimum 518 / 3.83).

Penn would be my first choice regardless, and I have a reasonably compelling argument to attend. First, the school is a leader in my research interests (gene therapy and virology). Second, my long-term girlfriend goes to school in the area and would like to get a job there after graduation. Finally, both my girlfriend and I are Pennsylvania residents, and Penn is a day-trip away from our parents and grandparents.

My stats are reasonably competitive (522 MCAT, 3.91 GPA) and I have a strong research background. That said, obviously a place like Penn is a crapshoot for everyone. Is early decision a bad idea?

You have a 522 3.91 GPA? Apply to top 20 schools in the country + your state schools. You'll be fine

 

[Ismet]

Early decision has more risk associated with it than benefit.

You'll put all your eggs into that basket and apply August 1. They have until October 1 to give you a decision. If they accept you, great! If they reject you, you're free to apply to whatever programs you want. The problem is if they wait until late Sept or even Oct 1 to reject, you now have a very very very late application to other schools, a few schools may actually be on the downswing of their interview invites at that point.

At the very least, you need to meet with someone in the admissions office and someone in the MSTP program before considering applying early decision. That shows interest, dedication, and that you're serious, and you can get a better idea of your chances. If Penn's MSTP program is like my med school's, the MSTP and med school admissions process is separate, MSTP does their own interviews with their own admissions committee and makes a decision on their own, then the med school admissions committee does their own interviews and committee decision. Basically if MSTP rejects someone, they still have a shot at regular admission because it's a separate committee. Try to find out how Penn does it because you may have to meet with more people.