<p>So both my friend and I are applying to a very competitive school (UPenn) and I'm scared that she will get in and I won't. UPenn has always been my top choice since middle school, and all of a sudden, she declared that she was going to apply and that it was her first choice too.
I'd be fine if we both went, but I'd be devastated if she got in and I didn't
We are both very talented in classical music - both play in school band, leaders of sections, State Band participants, etc.
Her GPA is a 3.9 but she is in regular math and takes Geology as a science.
I'm in Calculus and take AP Chemistry.My GPA is a 3.84 Also, I've taken 5 APs and she's only taken 3. We got the same grades in the APs we both took (both got a 4 on the same AP)... the Only reason her GPA is higher is because she takes art, easy science, and easy math..
Also, next year I plan to take 5 more APs, while she intends to drop science and math altogether and just take art, history, and english.
Even more, I babysit every weekend (for the past 2 years), do debate club, and am involved in community service, she doesn't do any extracurriculars except for her instrument and art.</p>
<p>It’s more likely that you will get in over her. You’re practically a lock for UPenn early admissions program, and her downward trend will make it harder for her to overcome even her initial weaker transcript. The problem with her application is that if you apply at the same time, you have the same credentials in terms of musical talent but you have the additional advantage of having a more rigorous course schedule, which colleges will take into account when doing your GPA (which will be weighted by your college even if your high school does not, which could alctually give you a higher GPA than your friend).</p>
<p>You might want to advise your friend to take a gap year and consider going to a community college for a semester or two to beef up her application and transfer into UPenn as a sophomore this year. She is not on track to getting into a selective school with her history and transcript.</p>
<p>^Uhh, I’m not really sure what to make of that, but here’s what I think.</p>
<p>A lot depends on your respective SAT and ACT scores.</p>
<p>To me, it seems like you’re more of a prestige-hunter while you’re friend seems like someone who pursues her passions. Why are you so worried that she’ll get in and you won’t? Are you really that competitive? Why should she take tons of AP math and science courses if her passion is humanities? Why are YOU taking so many AP science and math courses? So it’ll look good on your transcript?</p>
<p>Frankly, judging from what I see here I would pick your friend over you.</p>
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<p>Oh for heaven’s sake. This student does NOT need to take a gap year and go to a community college. Bedouin…where do you get these notions? Ridiculous? Are you and adcom for Penn?</p>
<p>To the OP…apply and let your friend apply too. There is no way for you to figure out what Penn will be looking for. DO YOUR APPLICATION…and forget about your friend (and the thousands of others like her who will also be applying to Penn).</p>
<p>P.S. I’m not sure anyone on this board can predict a “lockin” for Penn Early admissions…no one here KNOWS what that applicant pool will look like…or what Penn will be looking for when the early admissions decisions are made. </p>
<p>Just worry about yourself, OP and stop comparing yourself to others.</p>
<p>Definitely agree with thumper1 here. A 3.9 is NOT worthy of a community college or gap year. I have NO IDEA where that even came from. Anyways, there is absolutely nothing you can do once you and your friend submit your applications to Penn. Having just completed the college admissions process myself, I can tell you that there is no point in trying to compare to figure out who will get in and who won’t. A girl at my school who is a good student but fairly weak in ECs compared to other students in our class got into a lot of good schools, while a lot of more “qualified” applicants did not. I, for example, was waitlisted at a top school (with a 2240 SAT, 4.0 UW), while a girl at my school who is a URM with a 3.75 GPA and 1500 SAT was accepted. Clearly, it can be very unpredictable. At some point, luck plays a bit of a role, too. Just start working on your app and focus on making it as good as you can.</p>
<p>LOL: Bedouin’s posts are very very funny.</p>
<p>No one is a lock in for UPenn EA. But like others have said, your friend has dismal to no chance if her schedule is indeed as you state. However, logic dictates that you can only focus on your own. Don’t worry at all about her or the other tens of thousands of applicants. You can only work on one person. Crank out the ACT/SAT and see where you stand then. Wish the best for your friend – she deserves a great college experience just like you do.</p>
<p>Ok thanks for all the advice…
@ Drought - I’m really not that competitive… it’s just this girl is someone who thinks she is very smart (she always brags and lies about grades and acts all condescending) when in reality she isn’t smart… I just feel like she makes herself seem like a genius, when in fact those that don’t show off are much better than her</p>
<p>And regarding SAT/ACTs
I have a 2140 on the SAT and planning to get higher
She had below a 2000 and all secitons in the 600s…
IDK about her ACTs, but I got a 34 composite and a 32 on the essay portion
It’s just that she always says that Brown and Penn are her top choices and that schools such as NYU and Barnard are safetys, where I think those are probably going to be what she can get into, not the Ivies she’s vying for…</p>
<p>Of course, I should probably mind my own business and not be an envious *****, but it’s just that she makes things so competitive and it stresses me out!</p>
<p>So, your friend is a condescending, lying braggart but she’s still your “friend”? I can’t wait to hear you dish on your ENEMIES!!</p>
<p>And you’re the one posting on an Internet forum trying to validate your feelings of superiority to your underachieving liar of a friend, but you’re not competitive?</p>
<p>Yikes, she’s probably not going to get in with that SAT score. If I were you, I’d send the ACT and not the ACT - a 34 is significantly stronger than a 2140. Based on those test scores, you look like a much stronger candidate.</p>
<p>Sweetness…Mind your own business…do YOUR applications and honestly…stop talking to your friends about your college choices, SAT scores, GPA, ECs and the like. Just get YOUR applications done when the time comes and let it go. </p>
<p>The best advice I gave my kids…do NOT discuss your college applications with your friends. It’s none of their business and will come off as bragging no matter HOW you do it. </p>
<p>This is not a competition between friends…this is YOUR college application process. Like I said…there will be THOUSANDS of others applying to your schools and you have no way to compare yourself to them…nor should you.</p>
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<p>^ Second this statement wholeheartedly. Ultimately, it’s all about YOU, and not anyone else. You’d be best off focusing on what’s within your own control and hope for the best.</p>
<p>@sweetness - apply ED to Penn and apply as early as you can. Test scores and transcripts can take forever to be sent and processed so do that as soon as you can. Send that glorious ACT score NOW. Work on your essay all summer and if you’ve dreamed of Penn for years, let them know that in your essay, in multiple visits, in an interview, etc. (but don’t be cloying…)</p>
<p>TRY not to worry about your frenemy and all the others like her. Next year will be crazy enough and it may suit you better to protect yourself as much as you can by volunteering as little info as possible about your college app process. Nod and smile at her chitchat and do what you can to exit the conversations ASAP. All the comparing can get very toxic, very quickly. Keep your joys, concerns and questions for people who are 100% SAFE to talk with on this subject. </p>
<p>Your letter reminds me in a not so funny way of those letters you see to “Ask Amy” and other advice columns where so-and-so picked the same name that I wanted to give my future baby, or the same wedding date, or whatever. If your frenemy is a person like that, STOP giving her information that could come back and haunt you. </p>
<p>And find some safety schools that you would at least like!!! Everyone needs at least one.</p>
<p>Wow - I am not going to touch some of these comments…but please remember to do yourself (and remind your friend) to make sure you apply to a couple of safety schools. In this current environment, NO ONE is a lock on their dream school.</p>
<p>The unfortunate reality is the odds are that neither of you will get in.</p>
<p>ok this is ridiculous. you are both very talented, qualified applicants and there is no need to gossip about your friend like this. you’re smart, and if you want to be admitted enoughb, you will be. worse case scenario, you can transfer.</p>