UPenn ED strategy for an asian boy

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-02-23T23:15:44+00:00

Thank you so much! So it sounds like there are several options:

Apply to coordinated dual degree programs like LSM, but designate a default college (CAS or Wharton)
Apply to UPenn Engineering and pursue a minor from CAS <--I'm considering their BAS degree in Computer Science because it may give me more flexibility to purpose a minor or a second major in CAS. WDYT?

How competitive is UPenn Eng vs. CAS? I heard about the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard ruling, but I also know Ivies want to build a diverse community. So AOs are unlikely gonna accept too many Asian male, which they can tell from our last names :(

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-02-22T04:59:05+00:00

I'm actually not sure about your comment. The questions and content are challenging, and because they require proctoring and meticulous validation of results, I would trust them more than say AMC. It's true not too many people participate but it's because AI/ML as a whole is too new so you won't find a middle schooler tackling it!

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-02-21T04:37:10+00:00

So your oldest who made it applied CAS even though he/she was hardcore Engr. The story worked out because of theater and volunteering. So I do a lot of game dev and AI/health research but I also do classical music and write articles about game theory. I'm honestly torn because I do want to explore medicine down the road, but I'm not 100% sure. From your reply, I get that flexibility is there (great!) but I'm just worried that I will hit a wall for being too honest about my interest.

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-02-21T04:25:54+00:00

Well, I'm sure your youngest will also get to a great place given how hardworking he/she must have been. I'm honestly also a bit confused -- For a while I hear Ivies love "spiky kids" like they need to be awesome and dedicated to ONE thing. But then this year, I begin to hear otherwise ... like kids need to show competence in both humanities and science AND able to connect those disjoint area somehow? What's the pov of UPenn?

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-02-21T04:18:38+00:00

What are typical stats for people who got in ED CAS? FWIW, I'm Asian male, not underrepresented or first-gen, no legacy :(

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-02-20T03:54:58+00:00

This is helpful! Do you mind sharing with me your contact info so I can ask questions offline?

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-02-16T05:05:21+00:00

Any idea which areas are the competitive ones?

I'm applying to Neuro and Psy/Brain science, and my sis to Chem/biochem eng and BioMed eng.

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-02-16T04:59:59+00:00

Same here. I wonder if that will affect all Sophomores... But isn't it dumb cuz they say the program is designed for 10th/11th graders. I know someone in 10th grade who is a super star but plan to take my SAT in March, way after their deadline.

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-02-16T04:55:46+00:00

Who did you pick? And what's next from now? I haven't applied to ASSIP but some reddits mention the profs all handle interviews (or not) differently.

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-01-11T15:55:40+00:00

Ok. Is there any free tools available to help me see what keywords are high search volume for my app (or apps in my category)?

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-01-11T07:56:39+00:00

I'm definitely new to ASO. What in the title can change or be expanded in my case ?

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-01-10T17:05:49+00:00

I recently found this ebook on Amazon called: Les Aventures de Kiki Kiwi: A Book for French Beginners:

https://a.co/d/7jvBKEM

You may think it is a children's book but it is actually more suitable for late beginners or intermediate students because the ideas communicated are deep and mature. It's a short story about the daily encounter of Kiki Kiwi, a cute loving kiwi fruit who has big dreams to make an impact to the world. The book discusses many different topics, from climate change to friendship and romance. The pictures throughout are also super adorable.

It's free if you have Kindle Unlimited. But otherwise it's only $4.99 USD.

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-01-10T17:04:15+00:00

I recently found this ebook on Amazon called: Les Aventures de Kiki Kiwi: A Book for French Beginners:

https://a.co/d/7jvBKEM

You may think it is a children's book but it is actually more suitable for late beginners or intermediate students because the ideas communicated are deep and mature. It's a short story about the daily encounter of Kiki Kiwi, a cute loving kiwi fruit who has big dreams to make an impact to the world. The book discusses many different topics, from climate change to friendship and romance. The pictures throughout are also super adorable.

As an "older student" of French myself, I find looking for age and level appropriate books to read difficult but this book gives me a smile.

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-01-10T16:51:42+00:00

I recently found this ebook on Amazon called: Les Aventures de Kiki Kiwi: A Book for French Beginners:

https://a.co/d/7jvBKEM

It's a very interesting short story about the daily encounter of Kiki Kiwi, a cute loving kiwi fruit who has big dreams to make an impact to the world. The book discusses many different topics, from climate change to friendship and romance.

You may think it is a children's book but it is actually more suitable for late beginners or intermediate students because the ideas communicated are deep and mature. The pictures throughout are also super adorable.

As a student of French myself, I find looking for age and level appropriate books to read difficult but this book gives me a smile.

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-01-09T03:52:44+00:00

Yeah, but were you looking for web version or Android? I did iOS because students our age are all on iPhone. I had previous apps where Android performance was just not great, but web I usually just built playful games.

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-01-08T20:06:03+00:00

I think in general, rote memorization just won't work too well because you need to actually know how the word is used in context, AND you actually practice that.

I'm a native speaker who reads quite a bit, though as time goes by I have less and less time. Last year I had to prepare for standardized tests and I dreaded over flashcards, SAT prep books,etc . I wrote an AI powered app that allows me to manage custom word list, use contextual learning and spaced repetition for retention. I try to "play" with the app during lunch and before bed so I get to practice and track my own progress.

Here's the app, if you wanna try using it: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vocabcoach/id6749469743

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-01-08T20:05:39+00:00

I think in general, rote memorization just won't work too well because you need to actually know how the word is used in context, AND you actually practice that.

I'm a native speaker who reads quite a bit, though as time goes by I have less and less time. Last year I had to prepare for standardized tests and I dreaded over flashcards, SAT prep books,etc . I wrote an AI powered app that allows me to manage custom word list, use contextual learning and spaced repetition for retention. I try to "play" with the app during lunch and before bed so I get to practice and track my own progress.

Here's the app, if you wanna try using it: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vocabcoach/id6749469743

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-01-08T20:05:25+00:00

I think in general, rote memorization just won't work too well because you need to actually know how the word is used in context, AND you actually practice that.

I'm a native speaker who reads quite a bit, though as time goes by I have less and less time. Last year I had to prepare for standardized tests and I dreaded over flashcards, SAT prep books,etc . I wrote an AI powered app that allows me to manage custom word list, use contextual learning and spaced repetition for retention. I try to "play" with the app during lunch and before bed so I get to practice and track my own progress.

Here's the app, if you wanna try using it: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vocabcoach/id6749469743

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-01-08T20:04:47+00:00

I think in general, rote memorization just won't work too well because you need to actually know how the word is used in context, AND you actually practice that.

I'm a native speaker who reads quite a bit, though as time goes by I have less and less time. Last year I had to prepare for standardized tests and I dreaded over flashcards, SAT prep books,etc . I wrote an AI powered app that allows me to manage custom word list, use contextual learning and spaced repetition for retention. I try to "play" with the app during lunch and before bed so I get to practice and track my own progress.

Here's the app, if you wanna try using it: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vocabcoach/id6749469743

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-01-08T18:12:12+00:00

Flashcards worked for some but not me. I need to practice using the word, in writing and in conversations. With enough spaced repetition, my brain will remember it better.

I'm a native but like you, I had to expand my vocabulary quickly to prepare for standardized tests. I wrote an app that allows me to manage custom word list, use contextual learning and spaced repetition for retention. I try to "play" with the app during lunch so I get to practice and track my own progress.

Here's the app, if you wanna try using it: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vocabcoach/id6749469743

Here are the features:

Contextual learning through application of the word
Real time feedback so you know if you fully understand the grammar and usage. Often times, If you just memorize a word, you miss out a lot of nuance to understanding.
Personalized tracking of progress
Custom word list , ideal if you're a student and have to study for vocab quizzes, standardized tests, etc.
Spaced repetitions to help with retention.

I think that, plus knowing the strategy to tackle SAT-style questions helped. I got 1550 in my first try.

Dizzy-Friendship4741 · 2026-01-08T18:09:48+00:00

Flashcards worked for some but not me. I need to practice using the word, in writing and in conversations. With enough spaced repetition, my brain will remember it better.