Chance me? :)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Only a Junior, but here it goes (I'm in Canada btw, Asian male)</p>

<p>ACADEMICS:
SAT I - 2310: 710 CR 800 Math 800 WR (only superscore, my first sitting was 2250 and second sitting 2180...superscore went up but overall went down :/ )
SAT IIs - Taking Math II and Chemistry in June: expecting 800/780+
AP US history (3), taking AP Calc BC and AP Chemistry this year: expecting 5s</p>

<p>My school doesn't rank, and offers only 3 AP courses
GPA: 4.0/94.0% average</p>

<p>ECs:</p>

<p>Handful of math contest awards (top 25%, gold standards, etc.)</p>

<p>City-wide public speaking competition 3rd overall
School debating competition 1st place team, and public speaking 1st place
Organized public speaking tournament at school and debating contests at school</p>

<p>Provincial B-flight badminton semi-finalist, and quarter-finalist for A flight
Badminton Singles Regionals 3rd place, Cities 10th place
Badminton team MVP, Club MIP</p>

<p>DECA business competition: numerous top 5 awards in regional and provincial level
Going to international DECA competition in April</p>

<p>Badminton Club exec, Debating exec, Math club exec, Heart and stroke foundation high school captain, and badminton team captain</p>

<p>VOLUNTEERING and OTHERS:</p>

<p>Attending 1-month academically enriching summer program at a canadian campus (application was very competitive)
110 hrs at Heart and Stroke office, 60-70 hrs elsewhere</p>

<p>Are there any areas of improvement?</p>

2

<p>bump? I know cc doesnt like chancing people who arent seniors, but help a brotha out? :D</p>

3

<p>bumpbumpbump</p>

4

<p>You seem like a strong applicant to me. As strong as any that I’ve seen here on CC. The fact that your SAT went down the second time may hurt you in the slightest amount, but I can’t imagine that being the determining factor seeing as Penn states that they do look at your overall best over several test dates. Your EC’s look solid and it looks like you’re taking the right type of classes. My recommendations are to continue taking the high level classes and to stay consistent or improve your GPA. I’m going to assume you are in the top 10% of your graduating class which is good. If you write strong essays you should have as good a shot as anyone (which I’m sure you already know isn’t very good :wink: In any case if Penn is your #1 I would apply ED because you will have an ever better chance of getting in. Good luck and hope everything works out for you next year and in the future.</p>

5

<p>haha thanks trackrunner, so you mean my chances arent so good then? :P</p>

6

<p>your welcome. and no… they arent. But neither are anyone else’s so you are in the majority lol :wink: My guess is that you have above average chances maybe 25-35%. This seems low but is actually high for Penn.</p>

7

<p>You’re stats and EC’s are strong. They are definitely strong enough to not have you automatically rejected. However, you have to consider the fact that you are Asian. Race is one of the factors that is taken into account and that might put you at a disadvantage. To differentiate yourself from the other applicants, here is a tip that might boost your chances: have awesome Letters of Recommendation AND the most important thing, the essay. The essay has to be specific and unique. What do YOU have to offer that no other student could? How could YOU contribute to the community. If I had to chose the singular most important component of Penn’s application requirements, the essay wins hands down. Penn is considered the social ivy for a reason! I am applying as a transfer applicant so I hope we both end up going there! :slight_smile: Best of luck dude!</p>