<p>I have been following these boards for almost a year now and have seen my fair share of "Chance Me!" and "Application Help!" topics. As a pre-frosh accepted this past year's ED cycle, I feel that I have some valuable information to offer the troubled seniors-to-be.</p>
<p>1.) When writing your essays, be YOURSELF! If you have to consult these boards as to why Penn is the right school for you, seriously reconsider your school choices. The admission committee can see right through the generic reasons as to why Penn owns, so be unique. It really helps to draw from real life experience, either from campus visits or experiences of others. Regardless of what you right about, make sure it is YOU - your voice, your diction, your ideas.</p>
<p>2.) Contact your regional director. Each regional director is assigned to a specific region, and these are all listed on the Penn website. Find yours and send them a quick e-mail introducing yourself, your goals, your questions. They will e-mail you back and will most likely be thrilled to hear from their prospective applicants. Remember - they are the ones in the committee that help give you the Yes or No. I exchanged several e-mails with my regional director, and I feel it definitely helped show my true goals and personality that could scarcely be seen on an application.</p>
<p>3.) If you think you have no chance, apply anyways! If you truly want and love Penn, give it a shot. In the grand scheme of things, $75 is hardly a reason to deny yourself the chance of acceptance. If you think your scores are low, make up for it in your essays. My scores were rather average to below average (2080 SAT, 33 ACT). They definitely respect personalities more than test scores, so make sure they are aware of yours. If you think you don't have enough leadership, step up! There's still an entire year to get involved, and an entire summer to volunteer your time and energy. Put the time in now. You will always kick yourself for not applying, so go for it.</p>
<p>4.) Don't let the binding ED scare you. I, too, was worried about the financial aid if I applied ED, but decided to just apply ED anyways. I am not entirely sure I would have been accepted in the regular wave, and am so glad I stayed with ED. At first, they only offered me $8,000 a year. However, if you merely talk to them, explain your family's unique situation, and sincerely ask for more money, they will most likely give it to you. This fall, I will be entering Penn receiving nearly $25,000 in financial aid, all because we ASKED. Again, don't be scared by ED.</p>
<p>Now that I wrote you a book, I ask that you take what I say to heart. It worked for me, however I know that it may not work for everyone. I also ask that if anyone has any additional suggestions, hints, or tips, please add! The more the merrier! Thanks guys and good luck with the upcoming application season!!</p>