Applying to UPenn/Wharton - 2011

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I want to apply to UPenn, particularly Wharton for the business course. I was wondering if you could analyze what I have so far and tell me where I need to improve in order to maximize my chances of getting in.</p>

<p>I took IGCSES and got 5A*, 4A, and 2B. Now I am taking IB and I think I will get 39 out of 42 (42 out of 45 if you include bonus points). In my SAT test I got 2150. My awards which I can put on my college app:</p>

<p>UKMT Maths Competition Gold Certificate (International)
Global Young Leaders World Conference Election and Attendance
Membership of Mensa International Society
(Hopefully win a Distinction at the upcoming AMC12</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Sunlife Math Competition Participation
Low Golf Handicap and representation of school in 2 tournaments
Prefect
Piano Certificate
Member of Debating Club
Member of Model United Nations
Participation in Public Speaking Competition
Occasional Charity work at elderly homes
Creator/President of Revision Club (which my head of year said was very impressive because no one in the school had ever done this before)
Creator/President of Guitar Club (new club created to compete with another guitar club that costs about 200USD for 3 months of lessons - ours is free)
Helped with school fair
Regular participation at AMSA Maths Competition
Helped out organize interschool competitions regularly
Spent a week in China helping out young local kids learn English</p>

<p>I live in Malaysia, so being an international student, are my chances of getting in affected?
How can I improve my chances of getting in?</p>

<p>Thank you</p>

2

<p>You have the Stats of the typical Wharton Applicant and then some. While you certainly have a shot, It will be a reach. Why? Because Wharton is a reach for everyone.</p>

<p>Good Luck!
P.S, out of curiosity, have you applied to any UK schools like LSE, UCL?</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/838448-chance-urm-aa-male.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/838448-chance-urm-aa-male.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Thanks mate. I would certainly chance you but it wouldn’t be justified as I have no idea how the American GPA system weighs up. Sorry. :(</p>

<p>Actually I have not applied yet, I still have 1 year to go before I have to apply, I may apply to LSE. In case it helps here are my grades specifically in each IB subject:</p>

<p>Math HL - 7
Physics HL - 7
Economics HL - 7
Philosophy SL - 6/7
Spanish SL - 6/7
English SL - 6</p>

4

<p>You seem to have a pretty strong and diverse list of ECs. However, you should know that things like “member of…” “participated in…” “occasional work…” is not going to help you very much. It’s very easy to become a member of a club or participate in a competition once or twice. What you should focus on is showing dedication/leadership/passion for a particular activity.</p>