2 Quick Questions on "Strongly Recommended" Aspects

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hi! I've already applied regular decision to UPenn. It's high up on my list, although I'm not getting my hopes up due to its low acceptance rate. However, I have two questions that may affect my application.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>For SEAS(Engineering), how much weight is given to the SAT subject tests? They're "highly recommended", and I've taken both and sent them in, but I scored a 630 Math II and 620 Physics- the 31st percentile! My ACT score is a consistent 32, well within their range, but if the subject tests are only recommended, I'm not sure if this will be a huge factor to drag me down.</p></li>
<li><p>Also for SEAS, they recommend that you take the highest level of Calculus and Physics. I'm taking Calculus AB and Computer Science (my intended major), both at AP level, but no physics. Will this affect me as well?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>For perspective:
32 ACT
3.97 uw GPA, 4.64 weighted with 8 APs by graduation, rank 12/313 (top 4%)</p>

<p>EC's: Eagle Scout, lead role in 2 musical productions, Computer Programming class at local community college, President of Scholastic Bowl team, Honors Choir, Varsity Tennis junior year, All-State choir participant for Illinois Music Educator's Association (IMEA)</p>

<p>Letters of recommendation: One math, one humanities, and both from teachers I like and know well. An additional letter from my Eagle Project coach, a graduate of SEAS from Penn.</p>

<p>Essays: Good. Common App essay on transition to adulthood on Eagle Project, and Penn essay on Capstone Project and other opportunities at Penn I'd take advantage of.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>For honest feedback… it doesn’t help you, at all. I mean the whole point of the subject tests is to compare you to other students… because one student with a 100% in their physics class could in fact be worse at physics than say someone who got an 80% in their physics class because they had a much more challenging teacher who didn’t inflate grades. However you didn’t take physics CLASS so they overlook to poor physics score. As for math though, I’m afraid there is no way to overlook that. It’s just a bad score on a test that already has a significant curve. I mean they say “highly recommended” but it basically means… “do them. Send us the scores, it will hurt you if you don’t, because we can’t really compare you to other students and so we would be unsure how you would actually perform academically, your good high school grades aside.” It is SEAS after and they have a focus on math and physics. But I see you have Penn acceptable standardized test scores, a strong GPA and decent extracurriculars. There is no way for any of us to know before Dec. 16th, so just wait anxiously like I am and just know you’ve done the best you can; that’s all any of us can do. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I second PvilleKid’s response. Take the whole “strongly recommended” as a grain of salt. If you have the ability to take the tests you might as well. But don’t stress too much on test scores as they comprise one part of the application.</p>