Knowledge@Wharton

Wharton freshman Diana Hong is the top Advanced Placement (AP) scholar in the nation. Hong, who graduated from North Hollywood High School in California and had a perfect SAT score, said it was the prestigious Huntsman Program in International Studies & Business that made her choose Wharton. Only 40 students were accepted of the 700 nationwide who applied to the Huntsman program, a joint undergraduate program between Wharton and Penn’s School of Arts and Sciences.

To earn the top Advanced Placement slot, Hong scored a four or higher on 20 AP exams. By comparison, to become one of the nation’s estimated 1,400 AP scholars, students must score at least a four on a minimum of eight AP exams. Administered by the College Board, AP tests are given in a variety of subjects. “I was relieved,” says Hong of her number-one rank. “It was a goal I set at the beginning of the year.”

As a high school student, Hong found herself equally interested in languages and business, so had “resigned myself that I would probably go to a liberal arts college and major in economics.” But after hearing about Wharton’s Huntsman IS&B program, she knew it was perfect for her. Hong hopes to work in investment banking after she graduates and has a particular interest in Latin America.

The self-assured native Californian, while grumbling about returning from winter break to record cold temperatures, says she “loves the Penn campus, its beautiful architecture and the city of Philadelphia, which is so steeped in history.”