Chance me? I'll chance back

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I am a junior year girl interested in majoring in cognitive science or biology.
I am Indian and attend a public school in the south. I am currently interested in UPenn.
Please chance me!</p>

<p>Academics:
4.68 weighted
4.0 unweighted
1/462</p>

<p>Standardized Test Scores:
SAT: 2180 (650 CR 730 W 800 M)-only taken once during sophomore year winter, know I can raise this to a 2250+, the CR score was way lower than on any of my practice tests (720+);
don’t know if I’ll take it again or not…
Opinions on this?</p>

<p>ACT: 35 (35 all subjects, 12 essay)</p>

<p>SAT II's:
Biology M-760
Math II-790
Probably will take one or two more.</p>

<p>Class Schedule:
9th-
Honors World History, Honors English I, Honors Spanish II, Honors Biology, Honors Algebra II, Gym (required)
10th-
AP Biology, AP European History, AP Music Theory, Honors Spanish III, Honors Chemistry, Honors English II, Honors Pre-Calculus
11th-
AP US History, AP English Language, AP Statistics, AP Environmental Science, AP Chemistry, AP Psychology, Forensic Science Honors, self teaching Spanish IV Honors
12th-
AP Physics B, AP English Literature, AP Spanish Language, Honors Anatomy, AP Calculus BC, AP Gov and Econ</p>

<p>AP Scores (so far):
AP Biology (5)
AP European History (5)
AP Music Theory (5)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
4 years HOSA (Treasurer, most likely President next year)
4 years Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors Society (Junior President, most likely President next year)
3 years Science Olympiad (Treasurer, most likely President next year)
3 years Science Honors Society (Secretary)
3 years English Honors Society
3 years Spanish Honors Society
10 years Indian Classical Dance
2 years Volunteer Advisory Board at Art Museum
10 years Violin</p>

<p>Awards (so far):
Top Honors Biology student
Top Honors Spanish II student
1st place Regionals SciOly Microbe Mission
1st place Regionals SciOly Rocks and Minerals
1st place Regionals SciOly Disease Detectives
3rd place State SciOly Disease Detectives
6th place State SciOly Rocks and Minerals
9th place State SciOly Microbe Mission
6th place State Team SciOly
1st place Regionals HOSA Researched Persuasive Medical Speaking
1st place State HOSA Researched Persuasive Medical Speaking
2nd place Nationals HOSA Researched Persuasive Medical Speaking
Gold Medal National Spanish II Exam
Silver Medal National Spanish III Exam
Marylou Brown Community Service Award
Barbara James Service Award
Youth Leadership Program Graduate</p>

<p>Volunteering: so far:
100 hours Hospital
150 hours Art Gallery Children's Volunteer
300 hours Indian Camp Volunteer</p>

<p>Jobs:
4 years Kumon tutor, grader, and data entry
3 years doctor's office billing coder</p>

<p>Summers:
Summer 2011:
Summer Medicine Program, gastroenterology internship, summer camp counselor</p>

<p>Summer 2012:
HOSA Nationals, Cleveland Clinic observership, summer camp counselor</p>

<p>Summer 2013:
HOSA Nationals or a research internship</p>

<p>I am fairly confident that I will have strong recommendations and essays. I know a lot of emphasis is put on those two aspects, but based on my ECs, scores, etc. provided, what are my chances at UPenn?</p>

<p>I will chance back!</p>

2

<p>I think you have a wonderful resume. </p>

<p>With respect to the SAT, if you really want to send it in along with your phenomenal ACT score, then I’d retake it. </p>

<p>Your SAT is equivalent to a ~32 on the ACT, so if you could get that 2250 that you think you can get…then I’d recommend retaking it for the sake of consistency. I think if you have scores that are tantamount to one another, then that shows the way you’re tested doesn’t really matter - you’re just a boss, either way. ;)</p>

<p>Now, and I’m sure you know this, but Ivies can be a crap shoot. Even if you’re Jesus Christ, Ganesha, or the prophet Muhammed, there’s a strong chance you’re getting rejected.</p>

<p>On paper, you’re an unbelievable candidate. Thing is, there are thousands of others very similar to you in terms of resumes. Your essays and LORs are what’s going to be the difference. </p>

<p>When you write those essays, make sure you clearly exhibit why Penn is great for you and vice versa. Personally, I love layering different emotions into my essays. I like a touch of tongue-in-cheek humor with a gradual shift to my more serious side and the larger purpose of the essay. But hey, that’s my style and what I like to do to set me apart. Whatever you try to do, do not be cliche. Do not essentially say, “I want this more than anything,” or, “I’ve worked so hard, blah blah blah”. Yeah, we know. Every other applicant has done the same. However, a lot of applicants tend to write that snoozefest of an essay. </p>

<p>Don’t be that essay. </p>

<p>If you can align something from your upbringing - whether it be a positive experience or perhaps even a traumatic one - to your life and/or educational goals while maintaining a strong correlation to Penn or school X, you’ll definitely get in somewhere that’s exceptional. </p>

<p>And hey, if a couple of schools reject you (even your dream school) - no worries! You’re going to be successful no matter what, so chalk it up as a mistake on their part. </p>

<p>If you’d like, I’d be willing to provide you with feedback on your essay(s). I’m a senior in college that was just accepted to graduate school at Penn, so I’m not in competition with you, lol. It’s just something I like doing. I’d even share my personal statement with you for some guidance. Just send me a private message, if interested.</p>

<p>Good luck either way! </p>

<p>Remember, you’re a boss. =)</p>

3

<p>Thank you so much!!
Great advice. :)</p>

4

<p>Universities don’t want perfect children whose parents hovered over them for 13 years. From where will you draw inspiration for your essays?</p>

5

<p>Hey, Aaron,</p>

<p>Universities also don’t want seemingly arrogant 17-18 year old “children”. </p>

<p>What’s ironic and therefore funny, however, is that your condescension likely stems from your own insecurities. </p>

<p>See? Anyone can make an assumption. Thing is, I actually think mine has some merit. :)</p>

<p>Anyway, I don’t want to hijack this thread out of respect to ccguest223. Therefore, I’ll leave it at that so she can receive what she politely requested: predictions on her admission chances at Penn with respect to her stats and **resume. **</p>

6

<p>Thank you, @leftwichqb7. I appreciate it.</p>

<p>And @AaronGales, though it’s really not any of your business, my parents are anything but helicopter parents. Thank you for your input.</p>

7

<p>You sound like an excellent candidate :slight_smile: No one can guarantee that you’ll be accepted but I’d say that you have a very good shot. Good luck!</p>

8

<p>Thank you!</p>