Chance me for UPenn, please!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

I’m a junior at a college prep private high school and I’m looking to go to UPenn for Architecture, and I am wondering what my chances are for getting in.

GRADES

I have a 3.75 unweighted GPA/ 4.2 weighted GPA for my first two years of high school, but I haven’t taken any AP classes, but almost entirely Honors classes where possible. I am taking maybe up to 4 AP classes next year however. AP environmental science, AP Calc AB, AP Physics, and maybe AP English.

TESTS

I have only taken the PSAT currently, but I am scheduled for the April SAT and May ACT. On the PSAT I got a 1330 without any prep, and I have done and am doing a ton of prep for the real test. After looking at what I missed, it was mostly silly things that I ran out of time or missed dumb things, so I will probably do significantly better.

EXTRACIRRICULARS

My extracurriculars are where I have a big advantage over other applicants.

  • Internship with a non profit’s creative development team,
  • Assistant Equipment Manager for an NBA team for three years,
  • I started my own Architectural photography business that has had pretty decent success,
  • I am doing an internship with the largest architectural firm in my area,
  • I have a pretty good shot at getting a Prefect position at my school, possibly even the Head Prefect,
  • I have volunteered on a non profit’s creative production team for the past two years and plan to continue thru Senior Year.
  • Ultimate Frisbee Team for two years
  • Church basketball team for two years
  • Done many service projects volunteering at homeless shelters, and ministries for disabled or hungry
  • Involved member of two school clubs (Young Republican club and Spikeball club)

LETTERS OF RECOMENDATION

My letters of recommendation are also a huge highlight. I have had two teachers actually ask me if they could write them, and I know that both of these teachers are big fans of me. One has told me that I am his favorite and brightest student ever (and he’s been teaching for 15 years), and the other said that I have the most determination and drive of any student he’s ever seen. I am expecting that both of these letters will be helpful in getting in.

CONCLUSION

I would also definitely apply ED so I have the best chance possible. I know that UPenn isn’t as hard to get into as Wharton (their business school) so I’m thinking I may have a shot, but that’s why I want some more opinions. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to reply!!

2

Bump, hoping someone can help me

3

Were there AP classes available sophomore and junior yr that you did not take? Will your gc be able to say that you have the most rigorous course load available at your school?
Your GPA is good, but without APs it may be considered low for Ivies. You will need to prove that you can achieve a high gpa with the AP classes sr year,
Your ecs are indeed great, but it is your course rigor that may hold you back

4

There were two my sophomore year but many this year, most of which are electives. Unfortunately I chose wrong in choosing Honors courses because some of them are actually harder than APs at my school. The main AP’s I could’ve taken this year were AP Gov, AP Comp Sci, AP Calc (I actually couldn’t take this one bc of the level of math I was on), APES, AP Lang. Last year the only ones available were APUSH and APAH.

If I apply ED, then will they maybe waitlist me to see my first semester senior grades? Would I still have the advantage of having applied ED then? I’m guessing taking many APs next year won’t hurt and if they are curious how I will do in their academics, they can see my AP grades I guess.

5

If you apply ED, they will want to see interim first semester grades

6

What do you mean by interim grades?

7

If first semester grades are not available when your ED application is due (and most likely they won’t be), then your school needs to send ‘interim’ grades, which is like a progress report of how you are doing so far in the semester grade wise. So it is essentially a report card for the first few months of the semester

8

Do you personally think I will have a chance at getting into UPenn if I perform well in the interim grades? I also looked at my class selections and I’m going to take AP Psych instead of Western Civ H so that will add another AP class. I guess I’m just wondering if I will be able to outrun the issue of lack of AP’s prior to senior year.

9

Your ECs look solid. Right upto what Penn expects of its applicants.
I think it’s too early to comment on your chances since you don’t have your SAT/ACT scores and also your senior year interim grades. Those make a hell lot of difference. You might also wanna bump up your GPA from what it is now.
Best of luck!