Any chance of getting in?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
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<p>Hi guys. I'm an upcoming junior at a High School in New Jersey. Anyways, since this year is akin to a "Judgement Year" of-sorts, meaning it has a heavy influence on college admissions, I wanted to know if I have enough criteria on my "student profile" to be granted admission into the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, Early Decision or Regular Decision. If not, could anybody tell me what I could do to improve my chances of being admitted? Below one can read my student profile. WARNING: IT IS EXTREMELY LONG. Sorry guys, I'm not exactly renowned for my brevity.</p>

<p>SCHOOL BACKGROUND</p>

<p>My School offers something like 28 AP Exams.</p>

<p>The problem is that the kids in my graduating class are extremely competitive and are willing to sabotage other students in order to achieve some sort of advantage, which is extremely stupid. As of right now, it is pretty much obvious who will be valedictorian. The guy has a 4.55+ weighted GPA (after sophomore year!), and I've known him since first grade. The competition is so crazy here. There's another guy whose brother went to uPenn's Wharton School of Business in Fall 2009. The guy will most likely go there too, he won third in FBLA Business Math or something like that. So there are some other kids who have somewhat of a better chance than me for admission into uPenn.</p>

<p>In terms of Ivy League admission, roughly 39 students out of a graduating class of 600 were admitted to Ivy League schools in 2009. By contrast, around 3 students out of 650 were admitted to Ivy League schools in 2012. So I guess it depends on the graduating class. For my graduating class, I would estimate maybe 9 out of 680 students being admitted to Ivy League schools.</p>

<p>ACADEMICS</p>

<p>Weighted GPA after 10th grade: 4.26 (on a 4.0 scale)
Unweighted GPA: 3.90 (on a 4.0 scale)</p>

<p>Grades: I received straight A's in freshman year and straight A's in sophomore year with the exception of a B+ in Honors English II.</p>

<p>AP Classes: Freshman: AP Physics B, AP Calculus-AB. Sophomore: AP Calculus-BC. In junior year, I am taking AP Economics, AP Physics C, and Multivariable Calculus & Linear Algebra. I am also planning to self-study AP Statistics, AP English Language, APUSH (I dropped out of APUSH into Honors U.S. History in sophomore year due to workload), AP Psychology, AP Environmental Science, AP Computer Science A, and AP Music Theory (I've been playing piano with supplemental theory lessons since 2005). And in Senior year, I am taking AP Chemistry, AP European History, AP English Literature, and AP Spanish Language. I am also planning to self-study AP Biology throughout the year.</p>

<p>The reason I resort to independent study is because my schedule can only allow for so much leeway.</p>

<p>SAT I Score: 2270 (730 CR, 740 Writing, 800 Math)
SAT II Math Level 2: 800</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOL</p>

<p>-Science League (A state-level science competition throughout January, February, March, and April) under Chemistry I
-FBLA, State level competition for Computer Problem Solving (did not qualify for nationals sadly).
-JSA, a somewhat active member.
-An upcoming member of Science Olympiad (a national-level science competition) for the 2012-2013 year.
-A member of the school's badminton club.</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE SCHOOL</p>

<p>-Have taken private piano lessons since 2005 and played at Princeton University's Lewis Center concert Hall on various occasions.</p>

<p>-Have played flute since 2005 and was a part of CJMEA in 2006-2007 as well as in 2009-2010.</p>

<p>-Volunteered 89 hours total, 81 at the public library tutoring, 8 at AAU basketball games for various tasks such as umpiring as well as scorekeeping, and 3 at the North Brunswick warehouse for Feed the Hungry, a non-profit organization attempting to end world-hunger.</p>

<p>-In 2010 (freshman year), I began a program at our school's library in which I taught two students AP Calculus-AB. These students were looking to independently study the course and thus sought my attention as a tutorer. Both students received scores of 5 on the AP Exam subsequently as a result of six months of preparation from November to the first week of May. In 2011, we expanded into a small organization with another student joining me as instructor, and the number of students expanded to 6, of which all students received a score of 3 or higher (2 of them received a 5s, 2 of them 4's, and 2 of them 3's). For the upcoming year (2012), we are seeking to expand our number of instructors to 4 and the number of students to around 20. To supplement this course, I have written my own calculus textbook between December 2011 and May 2012, which I plan to get published in the near future.</p>

<p>-I have written three different original trumpet trios using Finale's music program, all of which I have recorded myself playing on piano.</p>

<p>SOME INTERESTS</p>

<p>-Playing music (both on flute and piano)</p>

<p>IN THE FUTURE</p>

<p>-I plan to take the SAT's again to better my score to one above 2300. I also plan to take the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry and Physics after junior year (2012-2013).</p>

<p>-Obviously I have to volunteer more to apply to the various Honors Societies, such as NHS and Mu Alpha Theta and Spanish Honors Society, Science Honors Society, Social Studies Honors Society, etc.</p>

<p>-I plan to take the AMC 12, and if I perform well, hopefully the AIME. I do not know if it is likely, but I hope to be a part of USAMO.</p>

<p>-I wish to take qualifying exams for the United States' Physics Team (AAPT), as in the past ten years, three students from our school have been team members and several more as semi-finalists.</p>

<p>-I do not know where, but should I do an internship? I'm interested in finance and computer science. There's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory that offers Internships to students who have demonstrated superior abilities in science background. Here's a link: Princeton</a> Plasma Physics Laboratory—WELCOME TO THE FUTURE OF FUSION ENERGY. Should I try to apply for an internship here after junior year? I've heard doing summer research is key to include in your application to any college. It is apparently vital to do so after junior year.</p>

<p>-So far, I have visited Stanford University and New York University. Do you guys have suggestions for any other universities I should visit?</p>

<p>NOTE</p>

<p>I know this isn't nearly enough. Can anybody suggest anything else I should do to significantly increase my chances of admission to the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business? I've been interested in a finance-related occupation since I was young, after my parents told me about the effects of the DotCom Burst in the late 1990s and how "every guy on the street was making money". Although I know that this isn't entirely accurate, I do know that start-ups have a huge investment potential, which is why I want to pursue an occupation in that field, for which I require a good education from one of America's finest business schools.</p>

<p>I don't think every student starts his/her own organization where he/she tutors individuals in preparation for AP exams nor writes a textbook, but I do know that it has happened before. Is this unique enough? I'm pretty passionate about teaching, but it seems like I have nothing else to include on my application.</p>

<p>So what should I do to improve my chances of being admitted during this crucial upcoming year? I have other safety schools just in case, like NYU, Rutgers, etc.</p>

<p>Thanks for your time in reading this!</p>

<p>Edited out some specifics for privacy
ED</p>

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<p>Just to spare you some awkwardness and embarrassment in your future application essay:</p>

<p>“Penn” (preferred) or “UPenn”, not “uPenn”.
“The Wharton School”, not “Wharton School of Business”.</p>

<p>They’re pretty picky about those.</p>

<p>But actually dude, you need to relax. I’m a student at Wharton now, and when I had just finished 10th grade I couldn’t even name the Ivy League schools off the top of my head. (Moreover, I hadn’t even heard of Wharton and hadn’t given a thought as to my future university applications!)</p>

<p>I’m not trying to say you shouldn’t prepare, but you should definitely chill out for a year. Do what you <em>like</em>, not what you think will give you a leg up on those other kids at your school. This is repeated time and time again, but admissions committees do not directly compare competing students at a given school: if many students are qualified and fit what the university is looking for, then they’ll all get in. There’s always someone more qualified than you, and it might so happen that that person goes to your school. Keep in mind that you’re competing with tens of thousands of students, not just that one kid at your school with a higher GPA.</p>

<p>Seriously, do what you actually enjoy for a while. Try new things. You might even change your mind about business.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your reply! Okay, I see what you’re saying, but really, I haven’t DONE anything to get in. If you don’t mind me asking, what did you do special to help you “get a leg up” to help you get into Wharton?</p>

<p>And thanks for the pointers about the names of the schools, I wasn’t aware of that. :)</p>

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<p>Bump. Anybody else? I appreciate your response though, asdf098.</p>

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<p>If you’ve found a way to teach math successfully, you’ve done something amazing.</p>

<p>Stop thinking about business and think about doing something useful with your life. When I went to Penn, Wharton was the refuge for kids who couldn’t get into the College/College for Women. The school hasn’t gotten any better, but the marketing has. Now people believe it’s a magic school that teaches things no other college can. Well, accounting is accounting everywhere. Ditto for finance. And so on.</p>

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<p>@Wordworker: Thanks for responding, I appreciate it.</p>

<p>To your first "paragraph: Thanks! I don’t see it as amazing as much as it is helpful, but I guess thanks anyhow.</p>

<p>To your second paragraph: I concur but I still like Penn because it is nearby and offers fairly decent education (we folks here at South Brunswick adopt the “ABR”—Anything But Rutgers—policy, so I prefer Penn to something like Rutgers or TCNJ. Anyhow, thanks for your response.</p>

<p>(Bump—anybody else?)</p>

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<p>Hey, I think all your accomplishments are good, but I do see one problem. Most of your ECs are physics/calculus related, which makes you a better match for SEAS than Wharton. To enhance your application, I think you should definitely go for a finance internship.</p>

<p>However, I do notice that your interests and activites lean in another direction. Don’t go for business just for the $. You look like you would be more successful pursuing something engineering related. Just saying.</p>

<p>If Wharton still seems right to you, I think it is CRITICAL you add some more business to your resume. Everyone does FBLA/DECA, but Wharton acceptees do more, like starting a business, investing in stocks, lots of leadership positions, etc.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Heyy, so I’m guessing you are writting tor college essays. Make sure to pick something that is emotional to you. Maybe something you did durong community service (the story of a kid, something that impacted you) . People in your school, from what I understand, are all very into academics and honor organizations. Try to do something they wouldn’t do. Stand out ( it doesn’t have to be for your success). Maybe leave your house for aweekend and just go wherever you feel like going and write about that, go to somewhere remote, go volunteer in a hospital for the Amish, or scubba dive in a lake. Do something crazy, that stands out. It worked for me.</p>

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<p>Thanks guys! Sorry for my belated response–I have been on vacation the last few days and have not had the opportunity to check CollegeConfidential.</p>

<p>@lollypop7218: Thanks for the info. I agree with the adding more business-related aspects to my resume as well. Do you know of any good places around New York City that I could possibly apply to be an intern at while I’m still 15 (yeah, I’m still 15–late birthday)? If not, thanks anyhow! My parents suggested engineering at an early age, but I never was extremely interested in working in either mechanical or electrical (for that matter, or chemical) engineering. I always found business more appealing. I don’t know why, really. Anyhow, thanks again! I’ll try to start a business or something in this area. Thanks for the ideas!</p>

<p>@Andrep: That’s interesting. I’ve never heard that before actually! Sounds like a good plan actually. I’ll make sure to remember that when I apply next fall (2013). Thanks!</p>

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<p>Bump. Thanks for all the input so far guys! I appreciate it. Anybody else? I’m trying to gather as much advice as I can before going into Junior year.</p>

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<p>Don’t make an account online with your real name and announce your highschool’s name/age…</p>

<p>Anyway, I want to get into wharton as well. Thanks to the other repliers.</p>

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<p>Lol thanks for your concern about my safety. I know what you are saying is correct, but I thought maybe it would be beneficial to anybody not familiar with the school. Anyhow, I will remember that for future posts and will probably make a new account later under a different email. Thanks.</p>

<p>Good luck to you too dude!</p>

<p>(This reply also serves as a bump).</p>

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<p>You know, while Wharton is a business school, it’s not like you have to be dead-set on finance or management to get in. Prior contact and interest in business will help but feel free to explore in other areas of social science as well. I did have quite a bit of business experience but I wrote my application on behavioural economics (lol). Research into business related fields can give you a bit of a leg up and seems to be much less common among applicants.</p>

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<p>You’re going to take 19 APs and it looks like you have a truckload of ecs. Do you sleep?</p>

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<p>He’s training to be a true whartonite aka banker wannabe :P.</p>

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<p>Please stop worrying about college as a sophomore. It’s just an application - it should not define what you do or who you are.</p>

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<p>Oh yea, the hardcore allnighter IB’s, on the right track :)</p>

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<p>Hey @loadicean, do you knw of a social impact club on education at Wharton ?</p>

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<p>Lol at your responses, guys. Let me see, one by one.</p>

<p>@disgradius: Hmmm, what exactly do you mean by research? Should I start doing some sort of outside project relating to those aforementioned fields? I appreciate your advice though; I have no clue why very few do research into those fields.</p>

<p>@deathblade127: Haha, yes I do. I try for eight hours a night, but I usually end up getting five and a half to six. On the rare occasion that I do end up finishing things by 8 or 9 PM, I sleep instead of watching T.V.–it’s worth it in my opinion. I haven’t pulled an all-nighter yet, but I went to 2:11 AM the day before my Calculus BC exam this year (for other homework too, not even studying for the AP exam!). I hate when teachers don’t realize that people have to take AP exams during the two exam weeks and are studying for half the night. -____- Shouldn’t complain though, work is work.</p>

<p>@laodicean: Well when should I be worrying about it? And I’m not a sophomore, I’m a junior–school starts next week (yay for that but “un”-yay for the competition!).</p>

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<p>This comment serves as a bump.</p>