10-29-09: Penn: Answers From the Admissions Dean of the University of Pennsylvania, Part 4

This week in the Guidance Office — a forum for readers of The Choice to seek expert advice from admissions officers, guidance counselors and others in the admissions field — our guest is Eric J. Furda, the dean of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Furda was previously executive director of undergraduate admissions at Columbia University.

Today, Mr. Furda responds to questions about how many recommendation letters might constitute too many; whether siblings are as valuable as parents in the context of legacy admissions (his answer surprised me, at least); whether financial aid will be reconfigured if a parent loses a job, and whether an applicant would be admitted to the Wharton business program without having taken calculus.

You can use the box below to post a comment or final question for Mr. Furda. His answers had been scheduled to conclude Friday, but he has agreed to extend his stay on The Choice to Saturday. (Some questions and answers have been edited for length, style and other considerations.) — Jacques Steinberg

Q.
The admission requirements mention only guidance counselor and teacher recommendations, yet I have heard about applicants having other recommendations sent on their behalf. Should an applicant view extra recommendations as necessary and to what extent are these considered in the process?
—Eric

A.
Extra recommendations are not necessary. If an additional letter is sent it will be considered in the evaluation, but, as with any letter, the value is proportional to how well the writer knows the applicant in an academic or co-curricular setting. More than one additional letter can have a diminishing impact.

The best advice is to use your best judgment. If you have been engaged, as an example, in community and civic activities outside of your secondary school, an additional letter is needed to address your commitment and contributions to the larger community.

Q.
My family does not believe they are eligible for any financial aid currently, as they are above all thresholds. However, if one of my parents were to lose their job midway through my studies, this would present new challenges. If that were to happen, would I be able to apply for aid later on?
—Pamela

A.
Pamela, changing family circumstances will absolutely be considered by our financial-aid officers, and I expect this may be the case at most institutions.

This may take place between years in college or during the academic year. The counseling staff in Student Financial Services works closely with a student throughout the academic years to determine the best plan for the family.

Q.
Does Penn give Early Decision “preference” to people who have had multiple siblings attend Penn in the same manner that they give “preference” to children or grandchildren of alumni, better known as legacies?
—Jake

A.
Jake, having a sibling at Penn does not carry the same weight as a parent or grandparent; however, my answer to multiple siblings is similar to my overall thoughts on legacy admissions. Providing legacy (or sibling) information is not enough. Articulating your knowledge from being around the Penn community and on why Penn connects with your interests can help distinguish your candidacy.

Conversations with your sibling(s) about faculty and peer interactions and observing their interactions across campus can provide valuable insight into the community. I believe this applies to most schools you are considering in the college search process.

Q.
Can a prospective student who is interested in Wharton, the school of business at Penn, still apply even if they have not taken calculus while in high school?
—T.A.A

A.
If calculus is offered in a student’s high school and he or she has not taken the class by graduation, it is unlikely the applicant will be admitted to Wharton. (The same can be said for physics and calculus for the School of Engineering.) But, in cases where a candidate presents a compelling application and calculus is not available in the secondary school, the committee may still consider admitting the student. We will follow up by recommending that the student take calculus during the summer. To broaden this answer for other programs at Penn and other institutions, academic preparation is the single most important factor in college admissions. Certain course work and higher levels of preparation are necessary at the secondary school level to provide a foundation for success in college. In these cases, the admissions office is not trying to place hurdles in front of students. Rather, these requirements are informed by our faculty based on knowledge of the curriculum and past student performance.

http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/pennq-and-a-part-4/