Applying to Wharton - LOTS of questions!

Applying to College
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<p>My name is Alex Marshall and I reside in Lake Country, BC, Canada and have an interest in Wharton's undergraduate business program, but first, I would like some important questions answered if possible. As a Canadian student from an education system different than in the US, how exactly will my school grades be accessed? Is it based on my GPA, or average academic %. In BC, our provincial exams are looked at more in-depth than our classroom mark - will Wharton access me based only on my provincially examinable courses, or on the overall/final grade? Also, will none-academic courses (such as Information Technology 12, Fitness 12 or French 11- which is required in Canada for most post-secondary institutions) be considered? </p>

<p>I have graduated from grade 12 already and will be applying to Wharton during a "gap year" where I also hope to volunteer, travel, and work to save up towards my university tuition. I have been admitted to the University of Toronto, but I'd like to apply to US schools in case a better opportunity arises. During this time, scheduled in October, I have my SAT Reasoning test. At Wharton, is it required that students have Sat II Subject tests, or does this just give you a possible advantage? Am I at a disadvantage applying to university one year later than most students? I was born in 1989, but would be attending my first year with 1990 students. Will this put me at a disadvantage when applying?</p>

<p>At my school, we don't offer very many AP courses. I have only one AP course (AP English Literature) that I scored a 4/5 on, Will I also be at a disadvantage because my school is smaller and doesn't offer as many AP courses as some other, bigger schools?</p>

<p>I understand that Ivy League schools require a supplementary application. My question here is, what part of the entire application is of the highest priority? Does it generally go: Grades, SAT's, then the supplementary application?</p>

<p>If possible, can you give me a realistic sense of what is required to get into Wharton? If my high school school grade average is 90% (GPA 3.9), and I can achieve at least a 1300/1600 on the SAT, as well as have a list of extra curricular activities (such as overseas volunteering), do I have a realistic chance at making it into Wharton? I ask this because I need to come to an agreement with my parents at whether or not they should be paying for the application and any other costs if I am destined to be rejected. There are many schools in the US that I would like to go to, but Wharton is my number one. I have always had a passion for business and to be the best I can be, I want to be with the best. </p>

<p>Thank you for your time and if you have any questions of your own for me, please feel free to reply to this post.</p>

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<p>No, REJECT.</p>

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<p>I will say that you will need FAR better than a 1300 to come close to having a shot at Wharton</p>

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<p>So I take it SAT scores mean the most? My grades I'd say are fairly competitive as I got into every Canadian university I applied to, and my ecs will be improved this coming year when I take on some big volunteer opportunities.</p>

<p>Not all kids that have gotten in had unbelievable SAT scores. If they didn't get insane SAT scores, what is it that made these kids get into Wharton?</p>

<p>Thx.</p>

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<p>Well, your transcript (grades) are what matter most, but I would say that to be considered you are going to have to have atleast a 1400 (V+M)...</p>

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<p>
[QUOTE]
Wharton access me based only on my provincially examinable courses, or on the overall/final grade?

[/QUOTE]

I would guess your school has to send both, and they will look at both, but someone Candadian could answer better as there will no doubt be an established way of looking at applications from Canadians since they are hardly rare.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
Also, will none-academic courses (such as Information Technology 12, Fitness 12 or French 11- which is required in Canada for most post-secondary institutions) be considered?

[/QUOTE]

Your transcript will show what courses you took and how your GPA, etc, is composed. It is up to Penn whether they want to recalculate. If your GPA is significantly boosted by non-academic courses, there might be questions, since rigor is very important.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
At Wharton, is it required that students have Sat II Subject tests, or does this just give you a possible advantage?

[/QUOTE]

They require 2 SAT IIs or you can replace them with ACT</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
Am I at a disadvantage applying to university one year later than most students? I was born in 1989, but would be attending my first year with 1990 students. Will this put me at a disadvantage when applying?

[/QUOTE]

No, though you should make sure you do something worthwhile with your gap year.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
Will I also be at a disadvantage because my school is smaller and doesn't offer as many AP courses as some other, bigger schools?

[/QUOTE]

No, it is looked at in the context of your school and taking a rigorous courseload from what is available to you.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
My question here is, what part of the entire application is of the highest priority? Does it generally go: Grades, SAT's, then the supplementary application?

[/QUOTE]

It's a holistic process, so everything is important. It is possible to make up for relatively weak grades or SATs with great recommendations and ECs, particularly ones relating directly to business, but at places like Wharton it is hard because most everyone has great scores and at least good recs and ECs, because it is so competitive. The people who get in with relatively weak SATs tend to have excellent grades and to have done something special related to business (or be legacies, URMs, etc). An example would be something like establishing and running their own multi-year profit-making company by themselves. The supplement is generally just some additional essays and questions about why you want to go to the school in question and is for you to demonstrate your passion and fit.</p>

<p>1300/1600 is a little low. I would think it would put you outside the mid 50% of acceptances in at least one of the SAT sections, if not both. It's not impossible to be accepted with that score, but it's not going to work in your favor and you will need to have something else about your application that encourages an ad comm to overlook the scores and choose you over someone who does have good SAT scores. Good grades on their own are likely not going to be enough.</p>

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<p>Thank you very much for your in-depth response tli83 - I really appreciate that.</p>

<p>I didn't say much about my extra curricular's, but here it goes...tell me what you guys think and suggest any possible improvements that can be made with my gap year. So, as it stands:</p>

<ul>
<li>Shad Valley Alumni @ McMaster University in summer of 2006 - RBC Shad Entrepreneurship Cup</li>
<li>Represented Shad Valley at University of British Columbia's BDC Enterpize business and executive conference.</li>
<li>Owner of two ecommerce websites, as well as a freelance web designer with some contracts with various businesses and non-profitable organizations.</li>
<li>Competitive soccer player (how can I showcase my skill in an application though, this I don't understand. My team has placed high at provincials (same as state), and we also played overseas in England's Umbro International cup....but how does this even go to show how good I am...is there some way I can communicate with a coach and send video tapes to help my application?</li>
<li>Will be volunteering in Brazil for 4 weeks with "Cross-Cultural Solutions" (any good??) (teaching English and working in hospitals)</li>
<li>Apprentice plumber/trades and experience with construction and high-intensity labor jobs.</li>
<li>Junior bodybuilder...placed in a few local competitions. (If I am successful, I may place at a more recognized competition that could really boost my application during my gap year)</li>
</ul>

<p>Now, the 1300/1600 was only an estimate based on a few of my friends' scores...and how I consider myself up against them...but I haven't written them yet, so this only gives me a sense of how much I should study (a LOT)...also, is the Act a BETTER alternative to the subject tests, or is good just to take them all? </p>

<p>I have one year to prepare, but unfortunately the application deadline is, what, December - at least something around there...so how can I include extra curricular activities that I'll participate in after the deadline (for instance if I was to do a volunteer trip overseas after the deadline).</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

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<p>Did you know that about 1/2 of the spots to get into Wharton is already reserved .
( Ever wonder how Donald Trump's children got into Wharton? )
Your SAT scores has to be very high like 1500s? (IMO your EC looks pretty nice.) ALso you HAVE to have a strong math background if not your rejected. In my school , many of my friends who go to schools such as Harvard , Yale , and etc were REJECTED by Wharton.</p>

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<p>Wharton is the most selective program at one of the most selective US universities. I'm not sure about most of your questions from an international standpoint, but from a general-student standpoint, chances are fairly slim. Your ECs look very nice (and I'm sure there are plenty of ways you can get across your strengths on the application), but for a place like Wharton, GPA and SAT scores need to be perfect. The SAT and ACT are used the same way by colleges; if I were you, I'd take both and see which you do better on. The SAT measures reasoning ability, while the ACT is more connected to things you learn in school (grammar, for example, on the English section). Study hard for both. Shoot for a 2300+ on the SAT (or 1500+ old SAT) or a 33+ on the ACT and that will increase your chances DRASTICALLY.</p>

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<p>It looks like it's just study study for me...I know the SAT is the big deciding factor here for me...so given that...you guys have any really good study tips for it?</p>

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<p>practice....practice....practice....thats all i think...
i suggest you take mock exams...from books...online...cds....they are real good indicators...
hey btw...whats a freelance web designer??:D</p>

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<p>The best way to study is to buy the big blue college board book and do a bunch of practice tests....eventually you will notice patterns in the questions that they ask.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I have that blue college board book...I've already gotten through that a few times...I've heard there is a word bank of vocabulary words..is that worth studying?</p>

<p>A freelance web designer is someone who basically designs websites and gets contracts with businesses but doesn't really own a company - as in, I'm a self proprietor who will often be suggested by a previous client to get more work.</p>

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<p>Realize that Wharton is as hard to get into as Harvard, many kids with perfect stats get rejected because there just isn't space. Competition is fierce. If your ecommerce businesses are valid and successful they will help you a great deal.</p>

<p>You do still need the straight As and 1500 plus. Being a girl would really help.</p>