Chance Me, and what should I do? I'll Chance Back

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, this is only my second post at CC, but I have read a lot, and gained much valuable info from the site. I have wanted to go to UPenn ever since I visited it when my brother was doing a summer program there about four years ago; however, I don't really know if my chances are any good. My other choice would be Cornell and Duke for secondary reach schools, and UIUC, Georgia Tech, and University of Georgia for more realistic and backup schools.</p>

<p>I intend to major in Biochemistry or some sort of Biology/Chemistry mix.</p>

<p>White Male (Unfortunately...)
Competitive Public High School in Metro Atlanta, GA</p>

<p>GPA - 4.0 Unweighted, 4.321/5.0 Weighted
Rank - 7/465 (Top 2%)
Currently a Junior</p>

<p>I have taken all Honors/AP (when possible)</p>

<p>Tests -
First SAT isn't back yet but between 2100-2200 based on practice tests
PSAT (10th grade) - 180
PSAT (11th grade) - 208
Rough on the PSAT's, I know...</p>

<p>SAT II Physics - 680 (I took it several months after I finished with the class...)
SAT II USH - Not back yet (770-800)
SAT II Lang - Not back yet (740-770)</p>

<p>AP Physics B - 4
APUSH - 5
AP Language - 5</p>

<p>ECs
National Honor Society - VP
Beta Club - President
Renaissance Club (Service + Honor Society) - General Board
Foreign Language Club
Student Government
Key Club (Service) for two years</p>

<p>St. Andrew Rowing Club (Crew) - Varsity Men's Co-Captain
Rower - Since 8th Grade, Will be through 12th</p>

<p>Awards/Honors
Duke TIP Program (Since 4th grade)
St. Andrew Rowing Club - Most Valuable Oarsmen (2009-2010)
Principals Honor Roll</p>

<p>My biggest lacking is in service, but I have participated in 3 Susan G. Komen's Row for the Cure raising over $2000 to donate. Also, I have participated in 4 River's Alive! which is a program to clean up local rivers, collecting trash mostly. Every summer I volunteer for my rowing club to teach kids how to row at summer session, acquiring about 90 hours per summer.</p>

<p>Senior schedule:
AP Calc BC
AP Chem
AP Literature
AP Econ/Gov
Senior Psychology
Either AP French or AP Bio or AP Physics C or Honors Anatomy (Undecided)</p>

<p>Pertaining to the title, "What should I do?" means what class should I take next year, AP Bio, Physics C, Anatomy, or continue on with French into AP. Also, should I try to get a summer job or find more volunteer hours over the summer (assuming I did just one). And finally, with my scores, ECs, and other criteria, would ED be a better idea or should I wait for RD?
Let me know if you need any more info?</p>

<p>Thank you so much for any advice. I really appreciate the help.</p>

2

<p>You have the academic stats to get into all of the schools, but like you pointed out, your ECs are a bit weak for schools like UPenn, Duke, Cornell, etc. Find an EC that you enjoy doing, and stick with it. It can be biochemistry research, volunteering, anything that floats your boat and you think will set you apart from other applicants. </p>

<p>Only ED to a school if you really love it. If you truly want to go to UPenn, then apply there ED if you won’t later regret. Some schools are “easier” to get into in the ED round, plus it shows major interested, but some schools within UPenn are vastly more difficult to get into than others. </p>

<p>I would continue with French and go into AP (I did that, just I have taken Spanish), and I suggest taking a science AP if you intend to go into sciences (what my counselor told me). Good luck :)</p>

<p>As for as chances go:</p>

<p>UPenn-mid reach
Cornell-mid reach
Duke-low/mid reach
GT-high match
UGA-match
UIUC-low match/match</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1027620-brown-ed-chances-i-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1027620-brown-ed-chances-i-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>If you love Penn, definitely apply ED. Work to get your score above 2200. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Penn- reach
Cornell- low-reach
Duke- reach
GT- low-match
UGA- low-match
UIUC- match</p>

<p>are you considering any other schools? your choices seem like they’re all easy acceptances, then very tough schools for anyone. </p>

<p>i recommend adding a school or two where you have a pretty good chance, and its what i’d consider one of the best schools realistically possible for you to get into. when i say realistically, i don’t mean ivies/duke types, because while you have a decent shot, they’re reaches for (almost) everyone</p>

<p>also, i second big dreamer’s advice: get involved in a research job if you can, you’re near Atlanta, check out the CDC or a lab/genzyme-ish company nearby for internships or something?</p>

<p>also TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR PRE-SENIOR SUMMER, do something that can really give you a nice boost on your app, like a college class or 2 or a solid summer program. you will not regret it (plus it’ll be a fantastic social experience, speaking from personal experience)</p>

<p>chance me back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1039850-chance-nervous-senior.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1039850-chance-nervous-senior.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>I was considering Vanderbilt’s PAVE program, but I was curious if there may be a better one around for something like Chemistry/Biochemistry. Also, will an internship at somewhere like the CDC require more background work/research/experience than what I currently have from school?</p>

6

<p>Can I get a bump?</p>

7

<p>Bump, bump, this thread is bumpin’…</p>