10-31-09: Penn: Answers From the Admissions Dean of the University of Pennsylvania, Last of 6 Parts

This week in the Guidance Office, our guest has been 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 cautions students to be prepared to “receive their first B and even C” in college and explains how a student’s research, particularly in the area of science, might be prized by the admissions committee. He also offers what he considers to be an “upper limit” for those students “who choose to take out loans,” and explains whether a part of the Penn application labeled optional is, in fact, optional.

Mr. Furda is no longer accepting or answering questions for this feature. But you can use the box below to post a final comment. (Some questions and answers have been edited for length, style and other considerations.) — Jacques Steinberg

Q.
As the time to apply is getting closer, my daughter is becoming a bit apprehensive about applying to a school as challenging as Penn - “How will I manage the workload?” We are visiting Penn next week. I want to reassure her that there she would have support and access to resources. Could you elaborate on this anxious time for high school seniors?
—Melodee Thomas

A.
I am pleased to answer a question about managing the workload and learning to keep balance in students’ lives once they actually enroll. The transition to a new academic and social environment will challenge every student, no matter how well prepared.

In a presentation a few weeks back in Maryland, I was joined by a colleague from Wharton, Vice Dean Georgette Phillips. From the perspective of one of her roles as an academic advisor, she advised students to be prepared to receive their first B and even C. The students in attendance gasped!

To broaden the answer, students will (maybe for the first time) have to respond to setbacks. Fortunately, Penn and other institutions have various layers and networks of support like tutoring, academic planning, college house mentors, faculty advisors, career planning, peer advisors, counseling and psychological services.

An essential component in the transition process is new student orientation prior to the start of classes. Janet Tighe, a dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, says that one of the obstacles in this process, despite monitoring, is the need to encourage students to “cross the threshold” and ask for support, a real challenge for high achieving students.

So parents should encourage their children to accept that there will be challenges and to not try to work through them on their own; it is not a sign of weakness to ask for guidance and support.

Q.
How much does Penn value research done in high school years? Do you accept supplemental letters of recommendation from research mentors? How does performance at prestigious science competitions like Intel or Siemens play into an admission decision at a research university like Penn?
—Manjinder Kandola

A.
Manjinder, because Penn is a major teaching and research university, faculty and the admissions committee value the kind of learning that comes from research experience. This is a very good example of a time when a supplemental letter from a mentor can be most valuable. High value is placed on participation and performance in competitions such as Intel and Siemens.

Research is a key component to many majors at Penn across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, engineering and nursing. An individual’s perspective on education and learning is broadened through exploring new intellectual territory. Working directly with faculty, our students are exposed to different modes of inquiry and to the associated discoveries — and also the frustrations of the research process.

Q.
My family won’t qualify for financial aid (at least according to all the numbers I’ve seen), and yet with taxes, house payments, and other expenses it would be impossible for my parents to send me to an expensive school unless I personally took out a loan. What kind of program is set up for someone like me?
—GI

A.
Penn has eliminated student loans from aid packages for financially eligible dependent students, regardless of family income, but students still have the option to use loans to supplement their aid packages if they wish to. The professionals in our financial-aid office will work with you to evaluate your options and create a plan that fits you. For students who choose to take out loans, I do feel, though, that taking out more than $20,000-$30,000 in total over the four years is an upper limit. This advice is not based on any financial model; it is simply my opinion.

Q.
How truly optional is the optional supplement to the Penn application?
—rc

A.
Students should not feel that they have to address questions that are optional or to fill out supplements on the Common Application or Universal Application. Optional essays can be an opportunity to fill a gap that you were not able to address in other parts of the application.

http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/31/pennq-and-a-part-6/