Hello, I am currently a junior from Colorado.
The Huntsman Program at UPenn is essentially my dream school. It is a dual degree program in both Wharton and the College of Arts and Sciences and results in a BS in economics as well as a BA in international studies.
If I do get in, I would target Chinese as my target language. As a Chinese American and having visited the country numerous time in my life, I just love everything about it, as well as the wide variety of potential opportunities. Also, I think business is an extremely valuable field in the world, with the potential of making the biggest impact.
I am also looking at these schools, please chance me and recommend possible courses of action:
U mich
U chicago
Princeton
Claremont McKenna
Brown
NYU
Columbia
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
State: Colorado
Here is a background of my high school career so far:
GPA: UW 4, Weighted: 4.286 (9/555 in my school) < pretty competitive public school
SAT: 1540 (math 790) Essay: 20
ACT: 34 (math 35, english 35, reading 34, science 33, essay 10) - I am currently debating on whether to retake this test or not. I know applying to Wharton/Huntsman places a lot of emphasis on math so I think a 35 is good there. Do you know what admission officers think about retaking tests, and do you recommend me to retake mine?
I currently work two jobs right now: 1 at Kumon (tutoring center) as a tutor, grader, checkin, and another at a local recreation center where I am the front desk for the indoor tennis pavilion. As senior year gets more busy, I may drop one of these jobs. I am debating because although Kumon pays 1.3$ less/hour, it is more valuable in the longer as an experience.
I am also planning on going to Taiwan this summer for a volunteering opportunity to teach English at the elementary schools. I think this will really stand out on my application and contribute to my demonstrated interest in China and Asia.
ECs:
-Interact Club (9-12, officer)
-MUN (11-12, vice president) TSA (10-12)
-Math club (11-12, potential officer position/president) National Honor Society (11-12)
-National Science Honor Society (11-12 potential officer)
-National Spanish Honor Society (11-12)
*I only did DECA my freshman year, and have not done FBLA or DECA since because they require a year long class each year to be eligible for the club.
-I hope to have over 200 hours of community service by graduation. I have 60 currently but my summer experience will really contribute as well as other things during my senior year.
Awards: Not too many, a few generic ones like the AP Scholar and NMSQT Commended Students (I got a 1450 so I don’t think I will be a semi finalist)
Chinese Essay Award (national competition, forgot exact name)
Then a potential President’s volunteer award from the Taiwan camp
I am planning with a few friends to start a Tile Talks chapter this year. Visit Tiletalks.co for more info
I am taking CALC BC right now and am planning on taking Calc 3/Differential Equations and AP Stats senior year, as well as both AP Econs.
AP Scores: APHG (5), AP Physics (2, lol not a science guy), AP Euro (5), AP Chinese (5). In my junior and senior year, I will be taking APUSH, AP Environmental Science, Lang, Calc BC, Gov, Lit, Stats, Bio, both econs
Also planning on taking SAT subjects in Math 2, Bio E/M, Chinese (maybe US History)
I am open to any and all criticism as well as any suggestions about my current jobs, potential opportunities/actions I should pursue, other schools with programs/curriculum associated with my interests, etc. Thank you for your time!