Chances at Penn for ED?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hi everyone, this is my first post here, wondering what my chances are for UPenn.
The main thing I'm worried about is my GPA:
3.5 UW, 4.0 W
I know this is low, but it's partially because freshman year I slacked off a bit, and I've had an upward trend since then, including A's in several APs my junior year. Also, my father went to Penn as an undergrad, so I'm hoping legacy status will help make up for the GPA.</p>

<p>As for the rest of my stats, here they are:
White male, going to an average public school in NJ.
2220 on SATs, 730 reading, 760 math, 730 writing
I haven't taken SAT subject tests yet, but I'm taking Math II and biology soon, and I expect to get high 700s on math and low 700s on biology.
AP calculus BC: 5
AP computer science: 5
AP physics mechanics: 4
AP statistics: 5
AP chemistry: Taking it this year</p>

<p>Captain of the robotics team
Lead alto saxophone in high school jazz band
Chess club
Volunteered at the local library over the summer
National merit semifinalist (230 on PSATs)
AP scholar with honors</p>

<p>Where I'm really hoping I shine through is on the letters of recommendation. One of my letters is coming from my AP comp sci teacher. I expect to get a very good letter from him, since not only did I do very well in his class, but he's also the coach of the robotics team, which I've been EXTREMELY heavily involved in for all four years of high school. In addition to my two teacher recommendations, I'm also submitting an additional non-teacher recommendation from a mentor for my robotics team, who personally knows how much passion I have for the robotics team.</p>

<p>So do I have a chance? I'm not sure I'm qualified, however I'd really like to know because I've heard that my legacy status will only really help if I apply ED, so I need to decide whether to apply ED to UPenn or use my ED for another school that's easier to get into.</p>

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<p>I say take a chance on Penn ED unless there is somewhere else you want to go to more. Another Ivy won’t improve your chances. Many other schools you can get into RD with your SAT and GPA. Is there another school on the level of Penn that you have a better chance of getting into if you apply ED???</p>

3

<p>^He could try Cornell ED.</p>

4

<p>He’s a legacy at Penn though. He wouldn’t get the same extra consideration at Cornell.</p>

5

<p>Hi! I’m interested also in hearing responses to Dan’s chance thread. My son is in a similar situation with similar stats, (also white male at NJ public school) though minus the excellent robotics experience! Dan7315, I assume you are interested in the engineering school? </p>

<p>I’m curious about the legacy thing… is it really true that schools use legacy for ED but not RD, and how much does it REALLY help? Does it provide a little extra push for kids on the bubble? AND does it matter if the alum gave big bucks to the school over the years post graduating? Does the generation of the legacy matter? My son’s dad went to Penn (but has not given $ over the years) and the grandfather and great grandfather both graduated from Cornell. I know my dad was still giving $ to Cornell until the day he died. </p>

<p>BTW, I think you’re chances are quite good and if you love Penn, I would go for it. Have you been to Cornell? Different campuses, different feels.</p>