Am i Upenn material? how can i better my chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

Upenn is my dream school but idk if i should even bother applying if my chances are slim with it being super selective and my resume not being particulary outstanding or unique. what can i do to make myself a more attractive candidate? background: hs junior, future nurse anesthetist, Asian (which prob hurts my chances), from TN

current gpa: weighted 4.5 ish
act: 35
psat: 1460

9: ap hug, bio h, alg 2 h, english 1 h
10: ap euro, chem h, pre cal h, english 2 h, med thr h, french 1 h
11: apush, ap chem, ap calc ab, ap lang, anatomy h, french 2 h
12 (next school year): ap gov&econ, ap calc bc, ap literature, nursing & clinicals h, french 3 h

ap scores: 4-hug, euro, chinese

ec: president elect of HOSA (future health professionals club),
qualify for internationals (still deciding w team whether to go or not)
nhs (considering running for officer-should I?)
scholars
president & founder of a service club
helped start a chinese band for kids @ nashville chinese school
nshs
mu alpha theta
1st flute at church student orchestra (5+ years)
nashville youth repertory and philharmonia orchestras (5+ yrs)
volunteer @ local hospital (1+ yr)
worked at tj maxx (8 months)
AP scholar

programs: National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) @ harvard med
explore medical program @ local hospital
(looking into shadowing opportunities @ Vandy but high schoolers not allowed into ORs where CRNAs mostly work in which is a problem seeing as I want to be a CRNA)

PLS BE BRUTALLY HONEST W ME my parents (believe otherwise but actually) are clueless about the american school system other than what they’ve heard from their older asian friends so this is my most reliable source of info/advice aside from friends and Google

2

my parents are also clueless about the american school system! twins.

your stats are beyond amazing, you have a shot at anywhere you apply to in america.

if you are striving to be ivy league make sure your grades next year are great, and you apply early decision. it never hurts to, if anything theyll just waitlist you. also, apply to multiple ivy league schools (if not all) if thats the path you want to take.

my brother got into upenn and we are african american. didn´t have stellar stats (but he did go to a UPenn conference?). maybe try associating your name with UPenn somehow.

cant give you a straight answer, ivies sometimes deny the people with the craziest stats. best of luck my friend :slight_smile:

3

You probably need to take a Physics class instead of Anatomy.

The science sequence take seems pretty weak for someone who aspires to premed/prenursing. Your peers for Penn will have taken AP Biology/AP Physics and possibly AP Chemistry as well.

A 4 on the AP Chinese test is not that impressive for someone who is ethnic Chinese (assuming from your post) as close to 3/4 of those who take that test will get a 5. Anecdotally, it is claimed that AOs look unfavorably at Asians taking AP Chinese as it is thought of as an easy A in most cases.

French seems to be a better possibility, but competitive schools want to see at least completion of a FL to level 4.

4

dc, Of course you should apply and hopefully you probably already know it… Your stats are sold enough and yes, you could have challenged yourself a little more. But why is everyone so picky. My daughter got in ED and did not take all available APs. The issue for you is whether you should apply early or save your early efforts on schools that are not binding… that is a tough choice but if Penn is your first choice, you should consider giving it a shot. You will get into a great school… don’t stress too much… I think what you do this summer and how your fall schedule sets up is important too… Concentrate on the why Penn essay… they read these things… Good luck!

5

Consider running for that NHS position. Spend this time understanding your personality and formulating it in your essays such that you convey only your most unique, attractive characteristics. Also, take the most difficult schedule you can, and as @Hamurtle said, take that Physics class. Consider opportunities to leverage your passions and knowledge in competition; try to attain some unique awards.

It seems like you have a wide range of interests, and unlike many STEM-students, don’t confine yourself to activities typical of your future field. Tying these interests together in your essays will be what gets you into Penn, if anything.