<p>I'm just wondering if anyone has ever heard of an unhooked applicant who isn't an academic powerhouse getting into Wharton. I have a ~3.7 cumulative/3.85 without freshman year UW GPA (not even in the most rigorous schedule sadly) and a 33 ACT so I am quite aware how unlikely my chances would be at Wharton. However, it would be "the dream" and I do have some pretty good business-focused ECs, and essay writing is my strength, so could it ever be possible if I apply ED?</p>
<p>I'm hoping Wharton is unlike HYPS in that instead of looking for just academic powerhouses, they want something a little different and if I have that quality then they'd be willing to take the risk with my below average academic performance. Is it wrong to think this way? Is it no different than applying to HYPS? I'll ED if I'm convinced I have any small chance. Any insight would be great. Thanks.</p>
<p>In my view, Wharton plays the numbers game perhaps worse than HYPS. They specifically look for strong math/quant skills, so if other areas fell flat but you shine through in math courses/subject tests you’d have a shot. ECs/Essays can salvage a fair amount, but it would be pretty hard to recover from a 3.7 in my opinion. It would probably be best for you to use your ED opp. elsewhere. Don’t get too discouraged though, there are plenty of great schools and you’ll find your place. Good luck!</p>
<p>What percentile are you in your class? That tells colleges a lot more about your academic ability than just your GPA alone.</p>
<p>My school does not do class ranks or weighted GPAs :(</p>
<p>^Ah, that’s a bummer. Is the scale out of 4.0? Also, what’s your school’s reputation like? If you’re from a competitive prep school or a top magnet school, they could be more forgiving.</p>
<p>Yes out of 4.0. My school is a well ranked competitive high school in Northeast. Unfortunately according to naviance, really only the 3.9-4.0 kids were the ones accepted so doesn’t seem like the forgiving thing is gonna happen. Only hope is they can pardon my freshman year somehow.</p>
<p>@bhchamp: I know this isn’t what you want to hear, and I don’t have any sick desire to bring you bad news, but that’s part of the college application system…often times (not always, but often times), the students who are admitted are the ones who’ve been getting top grades since day one (first day of freshman year), joined the EC’s from day one that led to leadership positions/awards, etc. I’m not trying to be mean, as my best friend in high school more or less got all B’s in his classes freshman year (they were weighted B’s so a 4.0 GPA still). He kept getting more and more A’s sophomore year on, but by the time college apps came around, he only had a weighted GPA of a 4.4 (approx.) and was rejected from all of the Ivy’s. He had the test scores (35 ACT, 800 Subject Tests, 2290 SAT), the activities, published his own book, etc. But…there comes a point where just not having the grades cost him admission to his dream school (ironically, Wharton). He goes to Northwestern now, and he’s really happy, but he knows that if he had gotten straight A’s instead of B’s freshman year, he would’ve had a shot at Wharton. </p>
<p>I know that post was long, and again, I don’t mean to be the one bringing bad news, but just understand that it sort of makes sense that students who’ve been killing it grades wise since day one get in (all other factors being equal/near equal). </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>