<p>While you def need to have a real interest in business before you apply to Wharton (or you'll hate it here), do you do NOT need to have business-related extracurriculars. While we will always have our FBLA champions and entrepreneurs with companies that generate 5 figures, we also have many people who had little to no business "experience". I'm living proof :)</p>
<p>Wharton instead looks for qualities that show your POTENTIAL to be a business leader - things like leadership, being a hard worker, teamwork, ability to communicate, math skills, etc. are more important. Not to say that your one-week business camp won't help, but having leadership experiences would be better. </p>
<p>To distinguish yourself, just show that are passionate about something in your essay. It could be an environmental club, science research, volunteerism - just something that sets you apart. Don't try to tailor your application to business extracurriculars (unless you did something impressive business-related and that's the thing that sets you apart)</p>
<p>As for your second point, I'm not sure that's true... unless things have change drastically?</p>
<p>Most Wharton students don't go past Math 104. While Wharton may emphasize math more than other business schools, one does not need to be a math genius or even really strong in math to understand and apply the concepts taught in a course that is basically equivalent to ap calc.</p>
<p>Ok Thanks. I do not have much formal leadership (president of a club and so on) but I definitely am a leader when it comes to things I am passionate about. For example on my soccer team (in a league) as well as when I play in football tournaments in my religious community. Also I help organize youth events in my religious community. These things are more informal however and don't seem to be appropriate for a resume (except for maybe playing soccer in a league) so how would I let the admissions counsellors know I am serious about my leadership qualities. Also I am not sure how I can get the message across about some of my skills like commitment, hardworking, team player, etc.</p>
<p>^write about being a leader in your religious community in your essays... thats why they're there. if it's important to you it'll make for a better essay anyway.</p>
<p>I got a 710 on the math section of the SAT but i don't think it represents my ability in math. Since Wharton supposedly puts such an emphasis in math ability (although business math looks pretty easy compared to engineering math) will the fact that i have never got anything but an A in honors level math courses show them my SAT math score might not fit me? I am planning on retaking the SAT but i make stupid mistakes and run out of time so there is no guarantee i could post a 800 (although i've done it many times on practice tests).</p>
<p>Also why is someone's math ability the most important factor in business? Although you need to know math thoroughly, I would think social studies would be a more important area for business.</p>
<p>Finally, i enjoy trading stocks. I don't do anything extravagant but i have done well researching companies and picking stocks. Is that something that Wharton would see as sucking up or is it a good essay topic? There is nothing special about my hobby but it is the reason i wish to go to Wharton in the first place.</p>
<p>Wow, much ado about nothing in this thread. OP, number one rule of CC is don't let someone who is a high school senior applying to colleges tell you where to apply or not apply. After all, they could very well be your competition, and one less person in the pool means they have a better chance of getting in ;)</p>
<p>I only skimmed through this thread, but you've gotten some good advice from people who are current students. SATs are just numbers on a paper; they aren't the be-all end-all of a person. You're clearly passionate about business and Wharton, so apply. Applying to CAS or another school within Penn when you clearly want to go to Wharton isn't sound advice at all; go where you want to go. </p>
<p>The SAT is a pretty good indicator of a person's general aptitude, but it isn't a perfect rendition in and of itself of a person. Some people just aren't strong test-takers. A recap of the past 18 years of your life and what you have done with them says a lot more about you than one stupid three-hour test.</p>
<p>You don't have to be an officer of every club in your school. You just have to be passionate about something, and you need to let your passion fuel your drive for success. You said yourself:</p>
<p>
[quote]
I definitely am a leader when it comes to things I am passionate about. For example on my soccer team (in a league) as well as when I play in football tournaments in my religious community. Also I help organize youth events in my religious community.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It's not about what your passion it, but it's about how your passion helps you focus and drive yourself to be successful. Wharton adcoms seem to value drive and ambition, so if you can demonstrate that you possess those qualities, I'd say you should apply.</p>
<p>It's far from guaranteed that you'll get in -- it is Wharton, after all -- and I would definitely apply ED if you really want to be there. but to not apply because another high school student tells you not to would be ludicrous. Just apply and see what happens. Even if you don't get in, you'll definitely wind up at a good school with your credentials.</p>
<p>to the OP: GIVE IT A SHOT! you never know what's gonna happen!
I'm going to upenn (college) this fall as a freshman. I was in the same boat as you were. I had low SAT scores, and I didnt have that many honors/awards and wasn't a super athlete. of course, i didnt apply to wharton so perhaps my rather low sat scores didn't matter as much, but the college is a hard place to get into too! To give u a better picture of my score, let's just say my SAT's were under 2000. so why do i think i got in?? perhaps my ethnicity gave me a boost in the admission scale. but i think more importantly i sold myself well, i highlighted all my leadership positions as grandly as i could.
BUT i think the essay is what REALLY matters. it's where u can tell the uni what your personality is like, and SAT scores, resumes etc will always fall short on that. my personal statement was unique and the page 217 autobiography DEFINITELY stood out. i think everyone would agree if they saw my page 217. it was pretty funny.
so what i want to say is that just TRY! don't give up on your hopes! you just have to make yourself look interesting among the thousand of other applicants. the admissions ppl are probably used to and tired of seeing the same stellar SAT scores and academic records etc, but if you have some eye-catching thing in your application, you'll definitely have a chance! no kidding. don't stress so much about the scores, but take it again if you think you can do better (i took mine three times). and there are SOOO many other factors that come into play in the application process beside your scores. shine in the other aspects like recommendations, resume, and ESSAY you'll have a fair shot at upenn! and you definitely will get into many other excellent universities!
hope all the best :)</p>