<p>I'm a high school senior from NYC. I go to a competitive public high school in NYC, which is very hard to get into and do well in, but has only mediocre college acceptances. Not one student has been accepted to U Penn so far, but then again it's only been open since 2002. </p>
<p>I applied early decision to the college of arts and sciences at UPenn. </p>
<p>GPA is one major weakness. 88.29 cumulative, unweighted. 82 in freshman year, 92 sophomore, 93 junior. My school does not have class ranks, so i'm not entirely sure where i fall compared to other students, but i would assume somewhere in the top 10%. </p>
<p>My course load has been the most challenging I could take at my school. I've only taken 3 AP's, but this was the most i have been allowed to take so far, seeing as we are a small school with a smaller budget. Currently taking AP Calc AB, AP English Lang, Spanish IV, Advanced Physics, US Gov/Ec. </p>
<p>Testing: Took SAT twice. First time around, 760 M 700 CR 780 W (2240 total). Second time, 660 M 760 CR 730 W. Not sure what went wrong there, just a bad day i suppose. Also got a 720 on Math II and 690 on US History, and a 5 on the US History AP. </p>
<p>Extracurriculars, work experience, etc. </p>
<p>Work:
-For the past two summers, i worked for six weeks each summer at the Woods Hole Children's School of Science, as a teacher's assistant in kid's classes.<br>
-This past summer, I also held a paid internship at one of the leading aerospace engineering and robotics companies in new york city, for two weeks. </p>
<p>Sports:
-I've been on the Varsity soccer team for all four years. Last year, we were undefeated and made it to the city semifinals. This year, we were just seeded as #2 in our division entering the playoffs.<br>
- This year, I'm playing for the Varsity baseball team as well. Not really too passionate about baseball, but I used to play, and the baseball coach recruited me to pitch for the team. </p>
<p>General:
-I give after school help to kids at a place called 826NYC in brooklyn. Will finish senior year with about 200 hours of tutoring logged.<br>
-Participated in foreign exchange trip to Chile in 10th grade, involving language learning + community service.<br>
-Lead actor in short indy film in 10th grade. Film was featured in a short film festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
-I was a junior officer at my school last year, and am a senior officer this year.<br>
-I trained for and ran the Falmouth Road Race in Cape Cod (7.2mi) in summers 2010 and 2011, raising approximately $750 for the Woods Hole Children's School of Science each year. </p>
<p>My two teacher recommendations should be fairly strong. One is from my 11th grade APUSH teacher, who liked me. The other is from my AP Calc teacher, who really loves me, and had me for Pre-calc as well. My counselor recommendation will probably be a bit generic, but will definitely highlight me as one of the most ambitious students in the grade. Additionally, my boss at the science school is writing me an additional recommendation, and he loves me. He's a funny guy, and this one should really highlight me as an individual, not just a student. </p>
<p>My essay and other short answers should all be a bit above average, but writing is not my forte. </p>
<p>Lastly, both of my parents graduated from Penn, and my Grandfather is professor emeritus, and still has an office at Penn. Hopefully this will help out a lot. </p>
<p>Thanks for your time, everyone, and let me know if theres any other information you need. Not sure if i left anything out, this is the first time i've ever used the site.</p>