Am I A Worthy Quaker?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Thanks for taking the time to review my thread. So, I'm pretty sure now that I'll be applying Early Decision to SEAS at Penn and I wanted to gauge my chances at admission. So, without further ado...</p>

<p>Information:</p>

<p>Eth: Indian
Sex: Male
State: NJ
(The trifecta of doom?)
Grad Year: 2009
Major: Biomedical Engineering (probably w/ premed focus)
School: Very Competitive (I am submerged in a sea of Asian nerds daily...but, I probably shouldn't talk being an Asian (but not a nerd) myself lol)
Courseload: Counselor has told me she will indicate "most rigorous" on app.
Grading System: (frosh/soph) A- = 90-95%; A = 95%+ :(
(junior/senior) A - = 90-92%; A = 93%+ :)
*GPA is a combo of the two scales so kinda skewed</p>

<p>*Frosh/Soph/Junior GPA: *</p>

<ul>
<li>UW - 3.82; W - 4.16</li>
</ul>

<p>Soph/Junior GPA:</p>

<ul>
<li>UW - 3.84; W - 4.28</li>
</ul>

<p>GPA Summary:</p>

<ul>
<li>A mixture of A’s and A-‘s with two career B+’s (one in AP English and one in Alg II Honors (the most horrendous teacher I have ever had, end of story)). My GPA, however, is still relatively competitive in my school, thankfully.<br></li>
</ul>

<p>Rank:</p>

<ul>
<li>School doesn't submit rank to colleges. Pretty sure, however, that I’m in the top 5% of ~700 students.</li>
</ul>

<p>AP's (Total of 11):</p>

<ul>
<li>Physics B (4)</li>
<li>Chemistry (5)</li>
<li>Calculus BC (5)</li>
<li>English Language and Composition (4)</li>
<li>Computer Science A (4)</li>
<li>Biology (next year)</li>
<li>Art History (next year, fine art requirement :P)</li>
<li>Economics (next year)</li>
<li>Statistics (next year)</li>
<li>English Literature (next year)</li>
<li>Computer Science AB (next year)</li>
</ul>

<p>*All other courses = Honors (except 2 yrs of Foreign Lang, PE, and 2 yrs of computer-related electives)</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>SAT: M - 800; CR - 740; W - 800; T - 2340 (1540)
SAT IIs: Chem – 800; Math II – 800; Possibly one more in October</p>

<p>Recs:
Counselor - Awesome: I had an interview with her and she had some flattering comments about my personality = good sign?
Teachers - One good from Eng more about personality (not the highest eng grade in class unfortunately (B+), but it is considered one of our school's toughest classes). One likely awesome rec from AP Chem teacher.
Supplemental - Possibly JSA advisor (who is very fond of me). Definitely prof from Rutgers who was my research mentor.</p>

<p>EC's:</p>

<p>NJ Science League
- Partipant 10th
- Competitive Testing in Chem I
- Qualifying Test followed by Regional Test each month from Jan. - Apr.
- Qualified last year in Chem I, but not in Chem II this year </p>

<p>NJ Chemistry Olympics
- Competition in chemistry entered in year of AP Chem (11th)
- Club meets every week from Jan. to competition day in May
- Participated in Research Competition</p>

<p>Medical Careers Club
- Member 10th - 11th
- 12th Officer</p>

<p>Science Competitor's Club
- Member 10th - 11th
- Officer 11th; Co-Prez 12th
- Going to be running NJ Chemistry Olympiad team next year.</p>

<p>Junior Statesmen of America
- Member 9th - 10th
- Club Officer 11th and 12th (I write our weekly resolutions, occasionally moderate debates, and speak frequently)
- New Jersey Region Cabinet Member 11th (write debates on state level for regional conventions)
- Possibly Mid-Atlantic Regional Cabinet Member 12th
- Significant involvement in politics/oratory = my other passion besides science. </p>

<p>March of Dimes
- Member 10th - 12th
- Volunteer hours and fundraising
- Tedious but rewarding process = soliciting funds; selling tickets; organizing large-scale cultural show. </p>

<p>Genetics Research
- Summer of 2007 and 2008
- 8 hrs/day, 5 days/wk for ~6-8 wks
- Research conducted with drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies); focused on determining the use of RNAi in restricting cancerous overgrowth caused by genetic mutations.
- Possibly working on a paper this summer with another member of the lab.<br>
- Favorite activity by far.</p>

<p>Piano
- 5 yrs
- Non-competitive Hobby</p>

<p>Community Service
- ~ 300 hrs
- Local hospital (oncology), senior center, and March of Dimes</p>

<p>Rec Tennis
- 8 yrs
- Summer camp in summer of 2005 and 2006 at local club
- Non-competitive hobby </p>

<p>Robert Wood Johnson Mini-Medical Program
- Participated in a several week long program at RWJ Medical School consisting of 2 hr Wednesday seminars to talk w/ doctors, students, etc. Nothing big, but it's demonstrated interest right?</p>

<p>Leadership Summary:</p>

<ul>
<li>Current: JSA (Chapter and State), Science Competitor's Club</li>
<li>Next Year: JSA (Chapter and Region (?)), Science Competitor's Club (Prez), Med Careers (Officer). </li>
</ul>

<p>Honors, Recognitions, Awards (Kinda Weak, Not Really Sure?):</p>

<p>NJ Science League
- Recognition in 10th grade for regional competition
- Didn't qualify for regionals 11th in Chem II; only 4 out of 30-40 students make it and only the best of the best try out. Plus I didn't get a chance to study :(.</p>

<p>Commendation from Governor/NJ State Legislature
- For our entire chapter which set up a March of Dimes fundraiser that raised thousands of $'s.</p>

<p>JSA Best Speaker Awards
- Several in recognition of various debate performances.</p>

<p>National Latin Exam
- Silver Medal in 9th; Gold Medal in 10th; Gold Medal 11th</p>

<p>National Honors Society/National Latin Honors Society
- 11th </p>

<p>Predicted National Merit Semifinalist
- PSAT: 226</p>

<p>AP Scholar w/ Distinction
- Preceding College Apps. </p>

<p>NJ Chemistry Olympiad
- Didn’t make semifinalist but scored high on the regional test. </p>

<p>NJ Chemistry Olympics
- Silver Medal at NJ State Level for performing experiments related to environmental chemistry, writing a lengthy report, and presenting the findings (two-person team though, and forgive my lack of modesty, it felt more like a one-man job).</p>

<p>Research-Related
- Possibly some recognition related to my research (a name in a report perhaps). Dunno when it might happen though. I got started with this a little late unfortunately (summer preceding junior year). </p>

<p>*My AP Chem teacher is going to mention all the chem-related achievements/activities in his rec. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance for any replies. Also, a quick question, does the major indicated to SEAS affect the chance of admission? For instance, I really want to do biomed engineering, but I'm not sure if indicating this on my app will decrease my chance of being admitted (since UPenn is highly ranked for its biomed engineering program). Thanks again.</p>

2

<p>Yeah sure you're competitive, I don't see why you need anyone to tell you that though.</p>

3

<p>Sorry...I'm not trying to flaunt my credentials or anything. Ivies are a crapshoot so I want to know if I have what Penn is looking for (will they find me to be someone who can add something useful to the community or will I be viewed as bland and ordinary?). Also, I feel like my GPA is low for Penn, which tends to accept highly ranked students (often valeds and saluts). Despite what you may think, I value any criticism (preferably constructive) as well as any complement you may have in equal measure. I'm not some pompous fool looking to bolster his own ego. I'm looking for reassurance and especially since I intend to commit myself to an early decision agreement (that could potentially be used to bolster my chances at a less competitive college). And, in case the resume I have posted is so comprehensive that it led you to draw the conclusion that you did, I will say that it is merely something I copy and paste from a saved file without regard for its brevity (or lack thereof).</p>

4

<p>Your GPA isn't low (at all). You have a myriad of strong extra curricular activities and test scores. Statistically you're competitive... you should be aware of this already. Just make sure your essays give a sense of who you really are, which hopefully isn't another Asian kid who's good at math and science. Write a meaningful essay and apply early. You should be fine.</p>

5

<p>"which hopefully isn't another Asian kid who's good at math and science"</p>

<p>...Did you read my resume lol? Anyway, any other thoughts?</p>

6

<p>hehe. typical Asian (not a bad thing! you're reppin' your kind. I'm proud of you!!). your stats are amazing, but it's a crapshoot with these good schools. if it was all a statistics game, you'd be a very worthy quaker :)</p>

7

<p>Yeah I know; I'll count on my stats, do my best on my essays, and shoot for it I guess. Thanks for the reponse!</p>

8

<p>no prob! good luck with everything!</p>

9

<p>anyone else?</p>

10

<p>So, no one else?</p>

11

<p>Borderline GPA but excellent SATs. Possible that other schools give 4.0s for A- grades though and Penn counts it as 4.0 when calculating UW GPA. Could use more direct leadership experience (I ran so-and-so club or so-and-so big project).</p>

<p>If your school has a good record of sending multiple students to Penn, I think you are in good shape. I would think the New Jersey location actually helps, judging by how many were from PA or NJ or NY when I went.</p>

12

<p>Okay, that sounds good. Does Penn really recalc GPA? I'm guessing they just take out +/- and count 90-100% as a 4.0 and 80-89% as a 3.0 etc? In that case, my GPA would definitely be higher (I would have two career B's). Here's what I calculated assuming the above as well as 1.0 extra weight for APs and 0.5 for Honors. </p>

<p>GPA: UW - 3.91; W - 4.36</p>

<p>I'd be thrilled if they used that one lol.</p>

13

<p>And I thought my 800M, 8002C, and 800 Chem were impressive.</p>

<p>If you dont get in I cant. But be warned dont do engineering if you want to go to med school. Engineering GPAs are usually lower since the workload is harder and when applying to med school you need a 4.0-3.8 b/c their acceptance percenteaged are like 1-2% and most people have high GPAs...so be warned.</p>

14

<p>Actually, I think med schools make an exception of biomedical engineers, but I'm not sure. In any case, I may not pursue medicine at all since it's starting to seem like less and less of a viable career path. Thanks for your reply!</p>

15

<p>Does Penn recalculate GPAs? Anyone know...?</p>

<p>By the way, you have excellent chances...</p>

16

<p>Thanks for the reply. I've heard that Penn doesn't necessarily recalc GPA but instead creates a number using their own academic index formula (detailed in the book A is for Admissions). I just hope my GPA is competitive, however they recalc it.</p>

17

<p>ok, so bluntly, you seem to be more qualified than i am and i was admitted RD for BE/premed (albeit waitlist). with good essays and interviews you will have an excellent chance of getting in.</p>

18

<p>Thanks but I think you're being overly modest: the stats you posted for yourself on other threads are stunning (I'm surprised you were waitlisted at all). And, unlike me, you didn't have a GPA/rank problem (i.e. I'm not top 10 students nor do I have a high UW GPA).</p>

19

<p>Honestly I think that if you applied ED, you'd get in and wouldn't have to apply anywhere else.</p>

20

<p>Thank you! I hope you're right!</p>