Can I get in?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hey guys! UPenn seems like a fantastic opportunity for me, but I do realize that it is very hard to get in. Therefore, I was wondering if you fine people would mind helping me out! I'm trying to decide whether or not to apply next year, so I will list my qualifications below:</p>

<p>4.06 GPA on a 5.0 scale in 3rd marking period of junior year, will likely increase by .01-.04 points by the end of junior year.</p>

<p>Was one of 14 people that took AP Human Geography my freshman year (trial year). Received a 4 on the AP Exam three weeks after my father suddenly passed away.
Took AP US History my sophomore year. Received a 5 on the AP Exam.
Currently taking AP Language and Composition, AP Calculus AB, AP Government and Politics, and AP Psychology.
Next year I will take AP Literature and Composition, AP Calculus BC, AP Physics Mechanics, AP Physics Electricity and Magnestism, AP European History, AP World History, AP Microeconomics, and AP Computer Science A.</p>

<p>Any other classes not mentioned were either honors and/or required by my school in order to graduate.</p>

<p>Honors Maths: Geometry, Pre-calculus</p>

<p>Honors Sciences: Chemistry, Biology, Physics</p>

<p>Over this summer I am taking Dynamics of Business through the Northeastern Online Summer Program.</p>

<p>Standardized Tests:
2130 Superscore SAT: 740 Reading, 690 Math, 700 Writing
2090 1st SAT: 700 Reading, 690 Math, 700 Writing
2080 2nd SAT: 740 Reading, 660 Math, 640 Writing
32 ACT*: 35 English, 35 Reading, 28 Math, 32 Science
*I plan to study throughout the summer and retake the ACT. I am aiming for a 36; I doubt I will get less than a 34 with the entire summer to prepare. </p>

<p>Sports:
Indoor field hockey 2011-2012 (5 hours per week)
Field hockey 2011-2013 (20 hours per week)
Cross Country 2014-2015 (15 hours per week)</p>

<p>Clubs:
Key Club 2011-2015 (5 hours per week)
Model UN 2013-2015 (1 hour per week)
Student Forum 2013-2015 (one of five people selected in my grade) (1 hour per week)
MiniTHON 2013-2015 (10 hours per week)
(Probably) NHS 2014-2015. There is really no reason why I shouldn't get in, considering all of the leadership positions I've taken and volunteer service I've completed this year.</p>

<p>Leadership Positions:
Key Club: Vice-President 2012-2014, Lieutenant Governor 2014-2015
MiniTHON: Business Head 2013-2014, Overall Head 2014-2015</p>

<p>Work Experience:
Party Host at SkyZone Indoor Trampoline Park October 2013-present (20 hours per week)
Hostess at Irish Restaurant* June 2012-September 2013 (30 hours per week)
Food Assembly and Cashier at Local Breakfast Shop* November 2011-August 2012 (7 hours per week)
Babysitting (does this count?) 2008-present (3 hours per week)
*sorry for the slight vagueness, I don't want to give myself away!</p>

<p>Awards:
Academic Achievement Award in Cross-Country (given to team member with the highest GPA)
Student of the Month May 2013
Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam 2013
Magna Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam 2012
Magna Cum Laude for Poetry on the National Latin Exam 2012</p>

<p>I feel like I am a very driven person, and I refuse to give up, almost to my detriment. My unyielding drive and my commitment to service are probably my most defining characteristics.</p>

<p>Thank you for taking the time to read this, and feel free to comment below! I ask only for honesty :)</p>

2

<p>SAT and ACT are slightly low. What’s your unweighted GPA?
ECs and jobs look good, IMO; they show your work-ethic. </p>

3

<p>Should you apply? Of course, why not. You should also apply to other colleges, some of which are safeties for you. Penn is very selective. For regular decision this year the acceptance rate is likely to be in the 9% range. In terms of stats a large number of applicants (perhaps as high as 80% of those who apply) will have stats as strong as yours and many stronger. It is impossible to predict whether or not “you’ll get in”.</p>

4

<p>8 APs in one year really seems like too much of a workload, does your school allow it? Keep in mind, a lot of time first semester of senior year will have to go into essay writing, apps and possibly SAT subject test prep. Along with your ECs etc.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for all of your help! In response to your questions, my unweighted GPA is probably around a 3.85 or so. (I haven’t calculated it recently.) And yes, my school will allow me to take 8 AP courses. My school actually combines both AP Physics exams into one course, so on my transcript it will only be listed as 7 APs. However, I am considering switching my sciences from AP Physics to AP Environmental Science to ensure that I will be able to keep up with the workload. In addition, I plan on studying for any standardized testing over the summer and also completing college apps and essays during that time. Thank you all for your honest and considerate feedback!</p>

6

<p>You will definitely have an advantage if you have the discipline of getting most of your work done over the summer.
Keep in mind, the new common app and the new essay topics aren’t released until fairly late in the summer, I think August 1st. But you can definitely have general outlines and themes ready for your essay. They usually don’t change too much year to year. Good luck ,you seem to be on track!</p>