Anyone want to do another "Chance Me?" (SEAS)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Here it goes:</p>

<p>I'm applying to SEAS for Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering</p>

<p>SAT: 2340 (800CR, 800M, 740W)
SAT II: 800 Math 2, 800 Chem
GPA: 4.0/4.0 (UW), 4.937/5.0 (W)
Rank: top 10% (my school uses deciles)
APs: 5's in Eng Lang, Chem, Calc AB, Physics B, and Statistics</p>

<p>Junior Year Courseload: AP Chem (99), AP Physics B (100), AP Calc AB (100), AP Eng lang (94), APUSH (97), Latin III H (100), Span III H (100), Honors Band (98)</p>

<p>Current Courseload: AP Bio, AP Latin V, AP Gov, AP Calc BC, AP Eng/Humanities, Span V Honors, School Newspaper I</p>

<p>ECs:
Marching Band (Captain, best percussion in numerous competitions), Instrumental Music Executive Board (VP), Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, NJ Boys State (State Assemblyman, County Party Vice-Chairman, Ward Leader, passed a bill on geothermal energy), Columbia University Science Honors Program, NHS (VP, made major contributions to the Red Cross), Spanish Honors Society (Treasurer, increased profits by 50%), Latin Honors Society (VP, organized several events to increase enrollment in the classics), Traveler (to a bunch of countries in the middle east)</p>

<p>Volunteer:
4 years at a local hospital, transporting patients, speaking with patients, directing visitors; 300+ hours</p>

<p>Work:
Percussion Instructor (teach fundamental drumming technique to a middle schooler), Employed as an Orchestral Percussionist in my school's holiday show.</p>

<p>Awards:
AP Scholar with Distinction, Commended Student, U Rochester Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, National Latin Exam Gold Medal, 3rd in County Calculus Competition</p>

<p>Essays:
-Commonapp: Wrote about the various elements of my identity. Both teachers who read it thought it to be very unique and said it spoke honestly about me.
-Supplement: Why Penn showed that I know a lot about the school and described how I can contribute to the Penn community; It was actually very good. The optional essay was really unique, that's all I'm going to say ;)</p>

<p>Recs:
-Didn't read, but probably good. One from Chem teacher. The other from my Latin teacher (she knows me really well; also, she's impressed with me because I've self-studied 3 years of Latin and currently have the highest grade in the class)
-My counselor knows a lot about me, but I don't know if she really likes me....</p>

<p>Ethnicity: Middle-Eastern
Gender: XY
School: Average School in NJ</p>

<p>Thank You!!! :)</p>

2

<p>Your chances are great. I’m sure the adcoms will love your involvement in music. Grades and scores are above par as well.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the love dfree124 :)</p>

4

<p>Do you really need us to tell you that your application is great? I don’t think it can get more obvious.</p>

<p>Your only problem is a lack of real work experience (office work, in other words), but honestly, who cares?</p>

<p>You have a great shot at Upenn.</p>

5

<p>Do you perform in Tournament of Bands or USSBA?</p>

6

<p>@Cardgames Thanks!! I don’t consider my application really good. I post Chance Me’s so people can tell me where my weak spots are, so thank you for your input :slight_smile:
@Excavalier USSBA (Northern States Champs in '09) Drumline all the way!!</p>

7

<p>you are doing regular correct?
if penn didn’t do weird things, I would say your chances are great (your profile is better than mine and I got into SEAS ED)
but at the same time, Penn is notorious for rejecting people who are “overqualified” to control their yield.
but if you write a really great “why penn” essay and convince them you’re not applying as a “safety ivy” you’ll be fine :)</p>

8

<p>Solid chance.
My SATI(2210), II(740+710), and GPA(this is my school’s fault…) are lower than yours and I got in SEAS in ED.
Of course RD is more competitive, but you definitely have a good chance.
Gluck!</p>

9

<p>@fini52 I don’t think that I’m in the slightest way “overqualified,” but that’s great advice that I hadn’t considered before. I think my “Why Penn” essay is pretty good, but I’ll definitely make a few changes. Thanks :slight_smile:
@princess143 Thank you! I have a feeling this RD pool is going to be a lot more competitive than ever (maybe <9% ?), so hopefully I can stand out.</p>

<p>P.S. Congratulations to both of you for your acceptances! Who knows? I might see you around next year ;)</p>

10

<p>

There is absolutely no objective evidence of this. In fact, if you compare the average qualifications of ED admits with those of RD admits, you’ll see that they’re quite similar. You’ll also notice that Penn rejects quite a few ED applicants (who otherwise would be bound to attend) who are–at least based on stats–“more qualified” than the average ED and RD admits. </p>

<p>Furthermore, Penn’s RD yield was around 46% for the Class of 2015. If it was rejecting “overqualified” RD applicants for the purpose of yield management, it probably would have a RD yield significantly higher than it does.</p>

<p>On the other hand, Penn does look for applicants with a genuine knowledge of and interest in attending Penn, as opposed to those who may view it merely as a generic Ivy or top school, and that’s the reason for the importance of the so-called “Why Penn” essay. But that’s significantly different from rejecting “overqualified” applicants out-of-hand just because of concern that they won’t choose Penn (which commonly used to be referred to as “Tufts Syndrome”).</p>