<p>African-american Male Junior at a semi-competitive public school in TX.</p>
<p>Academics:
Most rigourous course schedule.
2 ap’s sophmore year, 3 ap’s junior year
gpa 3.6
school doesn’t rank
SAT’s, 730 verbal, 800 math, 700 writing, 2230 total
SAT II’s- Math 2 800 bio 680(going to take world history this year)
APs World History-5, Comp Sci. AB-5</p>
<p>EC’s
playing tennis for 9 years, 4 years varsity(Regionals last year, and maybe state this year and next)
class President for 4 years
Computer Science(4 years, VP 1 year)
Habitat for humanity with my church
Mu-Alpha-Theta(4 years)
Lots of volunteer work at my church and a hospital near my church</p>
<p>Hooks: African-american(maybe?), dad lived over-seas for most of my life, so I grew up with just my mom and brother(at harvard, if they check stuff like that out).</p>
<p>I know my ECs are pretty typical, if anybody has a bright idea please let me know.</p>
<p>being black is definately a hook, i think. overall, i would say you are a fairly competitive applicant even with the GPA. maybe aim for more leadership next year in your ECs.</p>
<p>You're ECs are solid (better than mine anyway). Varsity Tennis is always a plus, class prez is another plus. IMO, being active in church is a plus (maybe because I wish I was religious). Habitat for Humanity and other volunteer stuff is a plus. SATs are solid. SATII bio is a little low, but if you get a 750+ on the world test you will be fine. Black is always a plus, but no one here can really say how much of a boost it gives you.</p>
<p>The one thing that could possibly hold you back is your GPA. Your school may not rank, but then how does it participate in the top 10% thing for Texas state schools? Even if your school does not rank (mine does not) they probably send out some sort of academic profile which will give Penn an idea of how strong your GPA is. If a 3.6 puts you in the top 5% of your class, you are good to go. If it does not, hopefully you have an upward trend. GPA is the most important part of your application, and if you aren't in the top 10% of your school, I think the acceptance rates drop from 30+% for vals and sals to almost 20% for the top 5% of the class, to bellow 5% for people outside of the top 10% of their class.</p>
<p>You didn't say how many people are in your class so it's hard to tell how your GPA may affect you. At some high schools a GPA of 3.6 could be top 5% while at others it might not even make top 15 or 20%. HIgh AP scores should balance out the GPA, though. Being African-American could help, but having your dad overseas probably won't matter unless it affected your life in a big way and you can use it in an essay. If you can, definitely do. Essays can be a deal breaker.</p>
<p>You are an outstanding candidate for University of Pennsylvania as well as for the other seven Ivy League schools. If you contact each college or university in which you have a genuine interest, you will receive plenty of free trips to visit. I cannot imagine a better candidate in light of your substantial demonstrated leadership, stellar SAT scores and minority status. Start contacting colleges and universities after the first week in May. By the way, your ECs are outstanding as they show true interest, commitment and talent.</p>
<p>Im on my friends account, but we go to the same high-school. We're both in computer science club, and he doesnt really get on this anymore, so i just use it</p>