<p>I know everyone is sick and tired of these kinds of threads, but I don’t really know who to ask about my chances of getting into UPenn (WOOPS HAHA), so I decided to start a thread and then decide whether or not to apply and spend hours on essays and what not.</p>
<p>Background
-Middle Eastern male, top 10% of class</p>
<p>Academics
GPA: 4.4 (3.8 uw)
Total of 7 AP test by the end of senior year
and I’m in Advanced Theatre, I’m not sure if that makes a difference or not</p>
<p>Standardized Tests
ACT:30
SAT: 690 (m), 620 (cr), 680 (w) 8 essay—planning on retaking in Oct.
SAT II: 730 (US History), taking Math II and another in Oct.</p>
<p>Extracurriculars
-President of Global Awareness Club
-Member of Key Club (2 yrs), Invisible Children Club, Ethnic Diversity Club (2 yrs)</p>
<p>considering that it seems you know nothing about this school...I want to ask...why do you want to apply? Are you wanting to know your chances because it is a school that is well known? Apply to college based on what appeals to you. Dont apply to college just becuase of its name.</p>
<p>No, I actually gave it some thought but I never really asked anyone about it, but I wanted to get into the College of Arts and Sciences... I just wanted to know if I had any chance, but I got the answer so thanks, it helped me from filling out an entire application in the fall.</p>
<p>assuming you mean upenn and not penn state, your EC's are significantly below average for top 20 schools (unless you are hiding something). your academics, however, are acceptable but not stellar. penn state is a pretty safe bet, upenn is a pretty unsafe bet.</p>
<p>I know a girl with stats like yours (worse, actually) who is a student, so definitely apply...but it's a reach. Some people get into their reaches though.</p>
<p>are the recs going to turn a dull candidate with pretty bad EC's into a gem? i doubt it. even if you are a great person with a cute smile who is honest and hardworking, those are all great qualities but they won't get you into college on their own.</p>
<p>no, i didnt say that. but they can turn an excellent candidate into a not-so-good one so why not the other way around. i know that if i do choose to apply its definitely gonna be a long shot but in my opinion, it worth a shot</p>
<p>You don't have many ECs, but if you have been very involved with them you should elaborate on them. For example, since you're president of the Global Awareness Club- have you arranged any events/activities that really stand out? And you mentioned you take advanced theater...have you been in any plays/musicals? Also, have you done any volunteer work or had any jobs?</p>
<p>If you can show that you have been very dedicated to 1 or more things (and this will have to show through the recs and the essay in addition to your ECs) you have a chance.</p>
<p>I am a penn 09 student myself (although that means very little). I would say, that if you applied for my year, your chances would be middle of the pack, perhaps a little lower, with the brief description you gave. In the current year, competition is greater, so you can imagine what will happen. That said, you have similar stats to me, although my SATs were a little higher. If your SATs were more in the 700 range, you would have a decent shot if you had something interesting to say in your essays. Recs are a non-factor, meaning, dont even think about them as a plus or minus in a application, just pick the teachers who know you best(this is all my opinion.) What I mean by non-factor is that pretty much every applicants recs are the same. For an a truly outstanding rec(meaning one that a reviewer notices more than others), it probably also touchs on some of the student's achievements outside the classroom, which the teacher has noticed(the types that are like this are I guess class leaders etc..). So..yeah dont worry about recs. To help youself, worry about what you want to say, what you want to present yourself as...and be honest You should always apply, however NO-ONE is a shoe-in, and no one is out of the game before it started (actually some are, to be honest, but you are not one of them.)</p>
<p>For all you bastards who were throwing sarcastic comments this kid's way, shame on you. You have demonstrated the abhorrent immaturity that permeates throughout this discussion board yet again. I severely hate this website and I have only posted because I saw an earnest student in need of some advice (and because he didnt post an over-elaborate ostentatious resume). You guys should grow up, do something else with your time besides College Confidential, and realize that the type of comments and sentiments you have expressed in this thread are not the type to be expected of an ivy-league student.</p>