Chance me for UPenn/NYU?

<p>I'm a current high school junior interested in majoring in actuarial science at either UPenn or NYU.</p>

<p>SAT-2130 (730 math, 710 writing, 690 CR) Planning on taking history and Math II subject tests, which I should do pretty well on.
GPA- 4.0 Unweighted, weighted 4.4
AP Classes- 11th grade: US History, Statistics, Calculus AB
12th grade: Gov, Calculus BC, French, English
(My school doesn't offer many APs compared to some other schools. No 11th grade AP English, for example.)</p>

<p>ECs:
Academic team - 4 years (JV Captain 10th, 11th grade; Varsity Captain 12th grade)
Future Business Leaders of America - 4 years (Vice President 12th grade)
French Club - 2 years (President 12th grade)
School Musical - 4 years
Student Ambassadors - 2 years
Student Forum - 2 years
NHS 2 years
I've done choir all 4 years, and I'll probably be using that as an art supplement.
12th grade class vice president</p>

<p>Other:
With my PSAT score and the past cut-off scores from my state, I'm on track to be a National Merit Semi-Finalist, and hopefully eventually a finalist.</p>

<p>I have a double legacy (grandparents) at Penn, and I'll be applying to Penn early decision.</p>

<p>Thanks for any feedback you all can give!</p>

<p>There is a rather big part: what will you be applying to at Penn? Your chances can cover quite a large range based on that. I’m assuming Wharton based on your major pick. Also, how difficult were your classes overall (as in, did you do all honors/AP)?</p>

<p>As to your stats, your SAT’s are a bit low, so try to shore that up, but everything else seems to be solid. a max UW GPA and a abundance of EC’s will definitely make up for the not-so-hot SAT, as will the double (albeit not as strong, since they are an extra gen apart) legacy. </p>

<p>However, UPenn is always an unpredictable school, especially Wharton and their CDD programs; I actually saw a 2350 SAT/3.9 GPA/FBLA all high school student actually end up wait listed simply because he had little else and was an over-represented minor (Indian Male), so it all then just comes down to luck.</p>

<p>Hope this helped!</p>

<p>Do grandparents make you a legacy at Penn? They don’t at most top schools. Wharton is a big stretch with current scores and ECs, you might consider using that ED at Stern where you have a decent shot, but ED would help.</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses! To answer your questions: Yes, applying to Wharton/Stern respectively. I’ve taken all honors/AP courses throughout high school. And yes, UPenn accepts grandparent legacies, though I doubt they weight them as heavily as parental legacies.</p>

<p>I think my biggest dilemma is what Waverly mentioned. Should I apply early-decision to the higher reach school with hopes that I can get into that and maybe be able to get into Stern as a fallback plan, or do I just go all-out for Stern and apply early there? Granted, I think I’ll get a better idea of a good plan after I do some college visits in the next few months. Also, Stern offers an actuarial science major, while Wharton only offers the minor, leading me to believe that perhaps Stern could be the better choice anyway.</p>

<p>Once again, thanks for the responses so far.</p>

<p>Volunteering?? You NEED to volunteer to get into top schools! Bring up your SAT scores and I’d say you have a good chance!</p>

<p>One big issue is whether or not you need financial aid. Penn meets need, NYU does not. Penn has counseling for legacy kids, in my experience they give a good read on what it takes to get in. Right now I don’t think you have the scores or ECs for Wharton. You may be able to fight your way through that with an SAT retake and impressive summer.</p>

<p>See where you can get between now and the Fall before deciding.</p>