UPenn is a fantastic school. So much so that lots of people want to go there. In fact, with a 2020 acceptance rate of just 8 percent, it’s one of the most selective schools in the nation. That’s in part because of its unparalleled academic offerings. The school has numerous specialized and interdisciplinary tracks for students interested in things like international business. One of its most renowned programs is the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology. In this post, we’ll tell you more about it and who should apply.
An Overview
The Jerome Fisher M&T Program is the oldest coordinated dual-degree program at UPenn. The program is a combined offering between two of the most rigorous, highly-regarded schools at the university: Wharton and Penn Engineering. Graduates will receive two degrees. The first is a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Wharton and the second is either a Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering. What’s unique about the program is that offers specialized classes just for M&T students. While other schools have great interdisciplinary programs, must just offer dual degrees to students who do specific coursework in both majors. There’s also a strong emphasis on experiential learning. Only about 50 students are welcomed to the school each year.
Who Should Apply?
Students who are serious about the convergence of business and tech should consider this program. As the world grows increasingly technical, this could represent a lot of different fields. If you’re interested in investment banking, biotech, medicine, venture capital, or a related field in law, this program might be for you. We always tell kids they need to pick a specialty and demonstrate proficiency in that specialty throughout high school. Programs like M&T are the reason why. This is a very specific niche. This program is not for lofty generalists. Students who don’t know what they want to pursue academically aren’t going to have much luck gaining admission to this program. But those who have the wherewithal to hone in on a specific interest will have tremendous opportunities with specialized programs like this one. It’s not only about academics. There is a small but strong alumni network which college grads can lean on professionally after graduation.
How to Get in
This is a highly selective program. If you’re interested in applying, you should figure that out early in your high school career. You will need to hone in on an academic niche that is a cross-section between business and technology. You should definitely be taking relevant AP courses and getting A’s in all of them. (In fact, you should be getting A’s in all of your courses). You should also develop your extra-curriculars and summer activities around your focus. The summer after freshman year, consider starting a business that’s related to tech in some way. Join the entrepreneurship club (or start one) and hold a leadership position by your sophomore year. By your junior year, create a research opportunity with a top-notch professor in your discipline. The point is, whatever you do must be rigorous. It should also be interesting to you. Spending your summers at camp is fine, but it probably won’t get you into this program.
The M&T program is one of the most academically rigorous programs in the country. If you’re a driven, focused, and technology-interested person, you might want to consider doing a deep dive into it.
Need help getting into a specialized program? Reach out to us here. We’re experts at helping students get into their first-choice programs.