Swoon. Everyone’s favorite Dean of Admissions got up close and personal with the one and only Al Roker this morning on Today, discussing the college search. He positively rocked a RED AND BLUE tie and told Al he loves when prospies are “relaxed.” As if anyone could be relaxed around Eric Furda. He also recommended touring high schoolers find out where students “hang out,” effortlessly identifying Locust Walk as Penn’s social hub. So in tune with student life! Check out the clip above, complete with footage of Houston and College Green. We might have preferred he chat with Kathie Lee & Hoda on Today‘s fourth hour, at least Al said he wants his 10-year-old in the “UPenn” Class of 2025 (!).

Remember how long you spent on your college essays? How you slaved for weeks because your guidance counselor told you that your dissertation on why puppies will one day save the planet was what would definitely set you apart from the rest?

Well, there’s a chance that it was all for nothing. The board of directors of everyone’s favorite source of anxiety, The Common App, announced that there would no longer be an open-ended essay option, rather a choice between five more specific prompts.

In response, Dean Furda said it probably wouldn’t matter anyway, admitting that maybe one in seven essays are actually considered in the admissions decision. So basically, 86% of the people reading this worked their butts off on an insightful, introspective composition that was inconsequential to their admission. Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to the Hot Button, our latest (uncomfortably-named) feature in which we break down the best of the past week’s news. Consider it a best-of compilation of the last seven days– a double shot of espresso instead of your regular cup of coffee. Ready to recap what’s going on at Penn? Check it out:

5. Greekdex Is The New CollegeACB
The social media void in your life that you didn’t know existed is now filled by Greekdex, which allows for school-wide discussion between Greek houses. It’s like the Greekier, tamer, less hateful CollegeACB, which was the new JuicyCampus, which was stupid and horrendously offensive.

Read the rest of this entry »

Remember when you got a personal video congratulating your likely candidacy to Penn and you started, like, crying and screaming and your mom, like, wondered if you were dying, and so she came in and she started crying and then your sister started, like, singing and cheering for you and then your dad was like, “WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS HOUSE?” Yeah, neither do we, but the gal at 2:55 in this likely admission video to Penn’s Class of 2016 does. Yep, the Class of 2016′s best and brightest have already been hand-selected and sent this über-dramatic vid, courtesy of Dean Furda– and it’s even better than last year’s! Class of 2016? We feel old.

New York Times blog The Choice, created to “demystify the process of applying to American colleges and universities,” will now also have some of its content featured on India Ink. And perhaps the only thing better than The Choice‘s South Asian expansion is the fact that Dean Furda, who you know from this, this and/or this, is part of the inaugural post.

Furda, along with regional director of Admissions, Patrick Bredehoft, chats in a mini Q & A intended to answer any inquiries that prospective Indian students will likely have about the admissions process. The run down: Penn is impressed by many Indian applicants and is down to continue increasing diversity. Also worth noting is the shout out to Penn Masala.