Hi, ED Legacy applicant here. I was wondering what are some good ways to counter my grades.
Applying to CAS, Math Major
School is Boarding, top 15 public in US
GPA UW: School does not report, but calculating it myself it would be like a 3.5/4
GPA W: 4.9/6 (Some pretty difficult classes in math, taking classes like numerical analysis and mathematical modeling with differential equations right now. AP Classes are somewhat available, I’ve taken 8)
Classrank: No class rank either
testing:
ACT: 36 Math, 35 Writing, 35 Science, 32 Reading
SAT: 800 Math 730 reading/writing, 22/24 essay
Awards: Basically all math competitions, mostly minor ones apart from AMC, not sure how this weighs for UPenn specifically
USAMO Qualifier
AMC12 Distinguished honor roll
AMC10 state high score
ARML state high scorer
Top 20 at Harvard-MIT math tournament
Level III National French Contest Medalist
ECs: I have quite a few large time commitments here, but I wasn’t able to elaborate much due to the nature of CommonApp, I don’t think I was able to mention everything in parentheses in the common app.
Math Club Captain (Created and taught conceptual problems and lead teams to 1st in a few minor competitions like Duke Math Meet. Also participated in many modeling competitions)
Seminar Teacher (Counted as an actual class at my school, had to make lesson plans and assignments)
Math tutoring/teaching (Taught group lessons and private lessons to kids from 3rd to 10th grade, group lessons were well implemented with its own website and personalized tracking system for each student)
Volunteering at a museum (Ran programs to teach children science concepts, also collected and analyzed statistical data to report to board, provided input on decisions for future exhibits and programs, and helped design them)
Chess Club (State champion at one point)
Miscellaneous volunteering (Standard volunteering at various organizations such as the salvation army)
Varsity Cross Country (Nothing special, big time commitment but wasn’t talented, did help volunteer by setting up courses and managing equipment)
Gender: Male
Race: Chinese
Essays:
I’m honestly not sure, wrote about passion for teaching others for commonapp
Upenn one was pretty specific, talked about good impressions from my mother (legacy)
Recs:
Two teacher reccs, probably nothing too special though my Math teacher did know me for three years
Supplemental rec is from someone who knows me from math competitions, Not sure how unique.
Counselor: Did not know well but she knows alot of specifics about me from interviewing and etc
Essays and recs are very vague, sorry. I just don’t think my own opinion of them would be too accurate.
So I know that my grades will definitely be the main part of my application that is dragging me down, but how should I counteract that? I would like to talk more about my ECs and Awards but I’m not sure about the best way to do so. I originally considered Wharton but the math major drew me towards CAS, and I think with my grades both will be a long shot. I know admissions is holistic, but let’s be real, half and half A’s and B’s?