I’m freshman at one of top 50 colleges for business in the US. I’m international guy who came here for scholarship, we can say that I’m on very high level - Olympic level. My SAT and TOEFL were bad, because my english was really bad when I was taking them(SAT ~1100 without essay, one year ago). And also my high school grades were average, because I traveled a lot with national team. BUT, the school is very easy… and my GPA probably will be 4.0(this is my first semester). I’m very ambitious in both academics and athletics(and also very studious)… so I’m looking for a bigger challenge. Do you guys think If I keep this GPA, do well in athletics, and be more active in campus life(volunteering, events - I like that) I will have a good chance to get into Wharton or other top school? What do you guys think about that?
@cons22 So are you trying to be recruited to play your sport at Penn? If so, have you reached out to the coaches at Penn? That will be your best chance. Without that I can’t see you being able to transfer. The competition for transferring to Penn in general is very tough to begin with, but is it truly insane for Wharton specifically. There are top students even from other ivies and elite schools applying to transfer to Wharton every year. The transfer chances there are no higher than those at HYPS.
A 4.0 GPA in college is good but won’t count for much if it is from a very easy school (Penn will know). Also Penn does look at SAT and high school grades, especially for sophomore transfers.
You could also consider applying to transfer to Penn CAS instead of Penn Wharton. The chances will be a bit higher (comparable to transfer chances at non-HYP ivies) and you would still have access to Wharton classes and resources (every Penn student does). Still Penn CAS transfer is also very tough and unless you will be recruited to play your sport at Penn, it will also be a long shot for you.
@Penn95 Oh yes, that’s what I’m talking about - the thing is, If I want to transfer I need to get a paper from my current university so I can talk to other universietes, if I wont, it would be the NCAA violation and no one even could respond to me. So I’m checking my chances before I do this. I heard that Ivy Leauge colleges gives less money for international students, so it would be even harder. Definitely my high school GPA and SAT are not helping me, but there is a lot of things that can. Do you think things like really good recomendations - even from sport minister of my country(ye, I’m not joking, we were working together with one project) - or my previous employers(I was director assistant in restaurant/banquet hall) could help? Or Penn don’t care about that? Also, my home income is less than $10k dollars per year(yes, less).
So my question is: Besides athletics(Because it won’t be enough even if they would like to recruit me, I guess) - do they even look at these recomendations, income, your leadership abilities, your activities, and what in life you have gone through? Or it’s only about grades?
They do look at everything but the focus is on your performance in college and you SAT/performance in high school. Since the college you are at is not rigorous at all, the 4.0 will not be impressive. Plus your SAT/ High school performance is not at the level Penn or other similar schools are looking for. I think without being recruited for your sport it will be a long shot but still you don’t have anything to lose if you apply as long as you don’t mind the application fee. Keep in mind also that the non-HYP ivies are not need-blind for international students so your asking for FA affects your chances of getting in.