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• 3-year MBA/JD application: early vs. regular decision JD From: doug.raicek  Sep 24, 2011 Posts 4

  Hi - I am in the process of applying to Penn's three-year MBA/JD program.  For the JD, I am a bit confused by the need to decide between 'Early Decision Admission' and 'Regular Decision Notification' ('Penn Law: Supplemental Data' section of the integrated application).   The Wharton website states, "Applicants to the program will receive their response from both Penn Law and Wharton according to Wharton's decision release date schedule."  For Round 1, this should mean that both schools respond on December 20th, which is still before the JD early decision date of December 31.   Please advise what the significance of 'Early Decision Admission' is with regard to the three-year MBA/JD.   Thanks, Doug Reply

• Re: 3-year MBA/JD application: early vs. regular decision JD From: victormlee  Sep 24, 2011 Posts 2,531

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  Doug, You could call the respective Admissions offices of both schools to clarify this. Based on what I read from the websites, I conclude the following. 1) Per http://www.law.upenn.edu/prospective/jd/apply/, early decision results will be sent by December 31. This does not mean that the results will be sent on or after  December 31. That is, decisions could be made prior to December 31 - which would be in accordance with the quotation you present below. You are correct that the Round 1 decision release date for Wharton is anticipated to be December 20th. There is no discrepancy, here. 2) Where I believe the significance of Early Decision lies is in its binding nature. Note that, in order to participate in the joint degree program, you must be accepted by each school (law and business). If for some reason Wharton denies you admission but you apply to Penn Law as an early decision applicant, my understanding is that you would still be bound to attend Penn Law because you chose the early decision path. Does this make sense? It's worth reaching out to make sure that this is indeed what is intended, but that's what a careful, plain reading suggests to me. Hope this helps. -Victor WG '11 Reply

• Re: 3-year MBA/JD application: early vs. regular decision JD From: doug.raicek  Sep 24, 2011 Posts 4

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  Thanks Victor.   I realize that the two statements (dual response by Dec 20 and early decision JD response by Dec 31) do not have to directly contradict each other.  It just begs the question of what advantage could come of choosing early decision if the two responses must come by Dec 20 anyway.   The only advantage I can think of is a marginally higher chance of getting into the JD program itself due to the binding nature of the agreement.  But as you have pointed out, this comes with a material risk in being trapped if Wharton responds no and Penn Law responds yes.   I was hoping there might be a student currently in the 3-year program who would be able to speak from experience with this application.  Otherwise, I think you are right that I will need to seek a answer from the admissions offices directly.   Best, Doug Reply

• Re: 3-year MBA/JD application: early vs. regular decision JD From: victormlee  Sep 24, 2011 Posts 2,531

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  Hi, Doug, Good point, I see what you are saying. I'm also not sure I see any benefit in classifying yourself as Early Decision (except if you wanted to, perhaps, increase your chance of acceptance to the law school by demonstrating a certain level of commitment irrespective of Wharton's ultimate decision - as you have indeed wisely recognized).  I looked again at http://www.law.upenn.edu/prospective/jd/apply/ and noticed that there is a section specifically for JD/MBA that seems distinct from the Early Decision or Regular Notification options. I'm not sure how the law school handles this, but that website confirms that R1 Wharton applicants would get their Penn Law answers by December 20th, also, as you noted previously. I think your best bet would be to talk to the Admissions offices directly to be safe. However, I will ping some folks I know who went through the JD/MBA program to see if they have any more insight. -Victor WG '11 Reply

• Re: 3-year MBA/JD application: early vs. regular decision JD From: doug.raicek  Sep 24, 2011 Posts 4

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  Victor,   Thanks for offerering to follow up with others.  I will also plan to follow up with admissions.  My intuition would have been that early decision should not be an option for applicants to the 3-year MBA/JD, but the application asks you to pick one or the other.  Hopefully, there is some rationale behind this.   Best, Doug Reply

• Re: 3-year MBA/JD application: early vs. regular decision JD From: doug.raicek  Oct 02, 2011 Posts 4

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  I was able to get in touch with Penn Law administration.  Applicants to the 3-year MBA/JD should ignore the question on 'Early Decision' vs. 'Regular Admission'. Reply

• Re: 3-year MBA/JD application: early vs. regular decision JD From: victormlee  Oct 03, 2011 Posts 2,531

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  Thanks for updating us, Doug. -Victor Reply

• Re: 3-year MBA/JD application: early vs. regular decision JD From: victormlee  Oct 03, 2011 Posts 2,531

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  By the way, the people I found were 4-year MBA/JD folks. But if you'd be still interested in talking to them, let me know. -Victor Reply