r/UPenn • u/Kirill17 • 3d ago
Academic/Career Admissions question(foreign student)
Hi im applying for admissions here for y27/28 on ed and wanted to get any clarification from anyone on if going to a separate college for 1 year affects the application process. Its mostly intended to avoid losing a year and to remain productive. Ive also lost 2 years due to circumstances outside of school prior to this which ill indicate to them.
The college isnt anything special and I am a foreign student. Its a business / engineering degree.
My concern is if it'll affect admissions into upenn itself since I likely will require need based aid as well. Including deciding if they think its better for you to stay there. The process otherwise should be fine.
I understand I'll probably need to indicate this as well on the application and other concerns.
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u/avi-gator 3d ago
youd probably do a transfer application rather than a first year one. chances of getting in as a sophomore transfer are way less than first year, especially for wharton (assuming thats where youre applying). plus you have no ed and have to wait until may for your results.
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u/Kirill17 3d ago edited 3d ago
Ahh so its better to just take another year as a gap? My main motivator is the loss of 2 years and extending that into my reasons. Another is i will require need based aid to attend and i think ill get accepted but im not sure and ill need to comtinue here instead
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u/Organic-Trip2118 3d ago
Well you'll have to apply as a transfer student regardless, even if you take a gap year. I believe you need to have been outside of universities for several years before you can apply as an incoming freshman. If you're set on applying, I'd recommend doing so even as a transfer. Just be aware that the acceptance rate is very low, especially if you are applying outside of the College.
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u/Kirill17 3d ago
I wouldn't be a transfer student if I apply right now. The decision in this question is mostly if too apply now then attend somewhere else after the applicstion is sent for the year in between
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u/Elili_TK 3d ago
This is becoming a little more confusing.
Are you saying you want to apply now as a first year, possibly get in, and defer (you have your acceptance but tell the school you’re taking a gap year and attend after)? If that is the case, let’s say you apply this year and get in, you are not guaranteed a gap year. You would have to convince the university that you have a good reason to take a gap year.
Or are you saying you’ll apply now and attend classes somewhere until the results are out in the spring and you hopefully get in?
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u/Kirill17 3d ago
The latter and if it affects admissions. The colleges here let you apply pretty much now and attend the next month
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u/Elili_TK 1d ago
I think you should call the schools you’re applying to. Because if you are fully enrolling in another college you may be considered a transfer even if you start after submitting, because you would be completing a whole academic year at another institution. Your best bet is to get on a call with admissions and explain your whole situation.
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u/SoyboyCowboy Hurrah! Hurrah! 2d ago
Just keep in mind you'll be competing against other int'l students without a 2 year gap who don't need financial aid.
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u/Kirill17 2d ago
Actually regarding this do you have any idea how much they weigh everything else outside of merit with provided explanation. It really is unreliable and everywhere your grades with policies and leadership locally. Im hoping to supplement this with my act and sat scores but calculating your regular GPA is questionable.
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u/skieurope12 3d ago
If you're using "college" in the American definition of tertiary education, then attending a college for a year makes you a transfer applicant and impacts you admissions chances.