<p>Hello everyone. I am new to CC. I am writing to get your input on my chances at Wharton RD. So, here is a little about me:</p>
<p>I am an African American male senior high school student. I lost my father a couple years ago before entering high school. I am very involved with my community. I am the president of my church youth department. I started a tutoring program at my school. I tutor/mentor underprivileged youth elsewhere. I volunteer at a nursing home. I feed the homeless. I sing in the church youth choir. I am ranked in the top 1% of the first graduating class at my school in south Florida. I am taking the hardest course load (IB). I am currently taking AP Calculus BC. My SAT’s aren’t so stellar, however :-/. I received 590 M, 590 V, 600 W, and I received a 690 in Math II.</p>
<p>I would appreciate if you could give me any honest opinions. Thank you.</p>
<p>SAT scores aren't everything, and you seem really involved in your community and passionate about a lot of things, which I think Penn likes. Your rank is good, which helps make up for your SAT scores. Good luck! The next 27 days are gonna be long :)</p>
<p>I don’t know, I was rejected just because of my act's. I have been living with 9 chronic illnesses and have just as good if not better ec’s than you.</p>
<p>I think you have a decent chance. Your ECs and rank are definitely strong, and I think Penn cares more about grades than SATs. Your SAT score is quite low, but that'll be more easily forgiven since you're a URM.</p>
<p>On another note, does anyone else find PennHunter's comment humorous?</p>
<p>thanx adf8.....and yeah i thought PennHunter's comment was a little funny too, but then I felt a little bad :-/. 9 diseases? Wow!! I can't even imagine living with that.</p>
<p>Do you come from a high school that is not particularly well off, or in a bad area? Not to stereotype, but educational opportunities comes into play here. If Penn feels that you've taken the utmost advantage of your opportunities, I think you do have a chance.</p>
<p>All the high schools in my area are considered to be "F" schools. Therefore, I travel 30 miles a day to go to this school in a more affluent area that would offer more of a challenge. However, we are the first graduating class so we haven't sent anyone off to Ivy Leagues yet. Do you think this would help?</p>
<p>I think that you have a good chance. You are really involved in ur community which is a bonus. And like others have stated, SAT scores arent everything. Good luck!</p>
<p>You sound like a very sympathetic candidate but it would have been better if you could have at least broken 1800 on the SATs. Penn takes a few people below 1800 but not many. They are aiming for a better than 2100 average and even taking (and turning down) some 2400s, there's a limit to how many sub-1800s they can take and still hit their average. I think 1800 is a sort of psychological barrier - below that they begin to doubt whether you have the ability to do Penn level course work - this is something you should consider for yourself - it won't do you any favors to get in over your head. If you are considering a competitive major there are going to be a lot of smart kids messing up the curve. Not just smart like you but scary smart. Do you really want to be playing against that kind of competition? Think twice about this if you get in.</p>
<p>We can't rule you in or out -you'll just have to wait.</p>
<p>thanx for the comments dance and percy. I know Penn is a challenge and thats exactly what I want. Like I mentioned, I travel 30 miles a day, passing by serval schools, in order to go to the school I am at. At my school, I may not be the val or sal, but i work my butt off putting forth my maximum efforts and I think that me being ranked in the top 1% shows it. At Penn I know there are going to be REALLY smart kids, but I also know that I am a REALLY dedicated student, and I will rise to the occassion if Penn gives me the opportunity to prove myself to them.</p>
<p>With your kind of drive, I'm sure you'll do well in life wherever you get in. But if you are thinking ahead to grad school or job interviews, having a 4.0 from say U. Mich is probably better than having a 3.0 out of Penn. There are times where maximum efforts are just not enough. What is top 1% in your school is average or below at Penn - they are skimming the cream of the cream. Good luck wherever you end up.</p>
<p>Have you taken any AP exams (not just the courses) ? A 4 or 5 would be a good hint that you could get A's and B's at Penn. Lower than that you have to wonder. Unlike HS, college grading is driven totally by exams in a lot of courses. Often the professors will have no idea who you are and won't give you any credit for trying hard - whatever your exam score is, that's your grade, period. If you are not a natural test taker the same thing that prevented your abilities from being reflected in your SATs may show up in your grades. Again, some majors are more competitive than others - what are you thinking of?</p>
<p>i am thinking if real estate and finance for the major. And, as far as AP, my teacher is predicting a 5 for me on the AP Calc BC test. Would this help any??</p>
<p>Well if you had the score it would. A prediction means nothing. Finance is the most competitive major and the grading is on a very strict curve. If you get in and you do well, people will be chasing you with job offers, starting bonuses, etc. I guess if you find it's really overwhelming you could transfer later or switch majors. Good luck - you're gonna need it.</p>
<p>I appreciate your comments. And, thanx for the luck ;-). Unfortunately, Penn won't know if I passed the test with a 5 until after im accepted/rejected, so I guess it really wouldn't help me. I guess the only thing that Penn would have to consider is the fact that I am challenging myself by taking the class.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if Miami, Florida is a place that Penn usually takes students from, or is it a location in which they try to gain applicants? Basically, does living in Miami, Florida provide any advantages or disadvatages?</p>