Chance for UPenn

Hello! I’m a senior. My first choice is UPenn, but I will probably be applying RD to UPenn due to my financial situation. I had quite a few breakdowns mostly because I’m rather worried about not getting in. I do have safeties and other schools on my list, but UPenn is my first choice by far. I am out of state.

Stats:
Asian female - senior interested in medicine
GPA - 4.54 (weighted)
SAT - 1600, 740 (USH), taking Chem in Oct
AP’s - US History (5), Env Science (4), Chem (5), Calc BC (5), Stats (5), Comp Sci (4), Gov (5), Bio, Psych, Latin, Lit
Dual Enrollment classes - microbiology and research
EC’s

  • president of a medical club
  • volunteering at hospital for 150+ hours
  • shadowing doctor every now and then (not anymore due to COVID-19)
  • interning at a lab for 8 hours a day for 4 weeks
  • latin club
  • Model UN (2 loacl level awards)
  • summer medical internship this summer (cancelled due to COVID-19)
    Honor Societies - NHS, NEHS, Latin Honor Society, Science Honor Society, MAT

I’m pretty sure my recommendations will be great (one of them asked me if they can write one).

I have been working on my essay (almost done) and I’m pretty proud of it.

Please chance me! I understand UPenn is a reach for basically everyone, but I was wondering if I do indeed have a relatively “good” chance at UPenn.

U Penn is a private university, not to be confused with Penn State. Therefore, being out of state isn’t a consideration. I’m a little surprised you aren’t aware of that. Make sure that if you have an interview, you don’t mention that.

It isn’t basically a reach for everyone. It IS a reach for everyone. If you have safeties that you will be happy to attend and can afford, then anything beyond that is a bonus, so do some research to ensure you can see yourself at a safety. If attending your safety is your idea of a nightmare, you need different safeties.

U Penn has a competitive atmosphere and a preprofessional vibe. Is that the environment you really want? Having “quite a few breakdowns” is a huge red flag, especially because you are worrying excessively about something that you have no control over, which hasn’t even happened yet and won’t happen for months and months.

I suggest you stop worrying about this. What happens if you don’t get in? The world goes on. College will be what you make of it.

Thank you so much for your reply! One of my top 3 schools is a safety, but it is just that UPenn is my 1st choice. My high school is in the top 20 schools around the nation, and I feel confident enough to say that I have been a part of a competitive atmosphere for quite some time now.

Glad to hear you have safeties.

Being in a competitive environment and having breakdowns is unhealthy. College is much harder than high school. Be proactive and take steps now to mitigate stress. Accept that all you can do is your best. Colleges have institutional needs which often dictate who they accept. If you don’t get in, it will not be because you aren’t qualified, but more likely due to something over which you have no control. Best of luck to you.

You are a competitive applicant with academics and ECs that should get you a serious look at any college. The rest will depend on things we can’t see such as your essays, LORs, what the college is looking for to fill the class, etc.

A bit of unsolicited advice – the idea of a “dream college” especially a college where admissions is so competitive is dangerous. The people I see who get hurt by the college admission process are the ones who focus on one or two hyper-competitive schools and then don’t get in.

Penn, with acceptance rates in the single digits, must be considered a reach for any unhooked applicant, yourself included. There is simply not enough space to accept all of the well qualified candidates. Be sure to take the time to search out a group of match and safety schools that appear affordable (run net price calculators) and that you would be excited to attend.