<p>Hi! My parents both attended Princeton undergrad and University of Pennsylvania graduate, making me a double legacy for both. I think its possible that I could get really high SAT or ACT scores (im only a sophomore), but my freshman grades arent that great - my guess is that for sophomore year ill either have all a- or a few b+ (I'll be taking 3 or 4 aps junior year). I also have a lot of really strong extra curriculars. What are my chances of getting into either school?</p>
<p>be more specific</p>
<p>Well first of all, you’re only going to have a legacy at Princeton because only undergrad legacies count since you’re applying undergrad. Secondly, we can’t really give you a chance with the information provided. Could you elaborate on what “freshman grades arent that great” means and also what your ECs actually are (“really strong” could mean something very different from person to person)? They’re both going to be reach schools nonetheless of how selective they are. </p>
<p>sorry for such a vague response. For extra curricular (as of sophomore year): class president, treasurer of youth council for a school for disabled people (hoping to move up to president by senior year), secretary of french club, selected to attend meetings with school principal for student leaders (because im class president), received outstanding delegate award at national harvard model congress convention. Also i am in many other school clubs and play three sports a year (tennis, winter and spring track). I also have a much larger idea in the works. </p>
<p>For freshman grades, they were 2 a- and 2 b+, and one b in latin (which i have since dropped, not sure how this would look). my sophomore grades will most likely be all a- (possibly a b+ or two - really trying to avoid that though)</p>
<p>You should make Princeton your first choice because there is no comparison between the
actual experience of being on the Princeton campus versus being in Philadelphia. Ask the President of Penn, she went to Princeton.
If you have any chance at all you should make it your
first choice. Upenn encourages their legacies to apply early decision. It will be much harder
to get in to Penn during regular admissions especially if you are local and that’s why you may be
pushed to apply there
early decision. Penn recognizes that if your parents went to Penn and especially if you are local that they are not
your first choice, if you don’t apply early decision. That is why they are less likely to take you regular decision unless your are applying for financial aid. Don’t apply to Penn early decision. Apply to Princeton early action or what ever they are offering at the time you apply. If you don’t get into Princeton early then you can apply to Penn during regular admission. If your family is footing the bill for tuition there will be many opportunities
to go to many fine Schools. If you qualify for admission to Penn or Princeton, then you will be offered
Merit Scholarships at other non-Ivy’s that you apply to. You have to be willing to accept that
not going to the Ivy League is an option that you can live with if you choose Princeton and
forgo applying to Penn early decision. The Ivy League and especially Penn is overrated in my opinion.
Something that they don’t tell you, Princeton students live in dorms for four years. Penn only
has enough space to provide dorm rooms to freshman guaranteed. Many students go to off
campus housing which will cost a lot and turn your parents stomachs because you will be living in
the slums. Penn has the third largest police force in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
The Penn Police have shot and killed several car jackers in the middle of campus over the last
several years. Comcast’s home is Philadelphia and they provide PR for Philadelphia
and play down the crime and poverty playing up the restaurants which are great if
you have the money to spend. A lot of students do and you may feel at a disadvantage
relative to the students who can afford to buy an expensive dinner every night, if your parents
aren’t going to provide you with an American Express Card.
Don’t be fooled. Princeton is the better choice and it’s not even close.</p>
<p>@ Collegeobsessed8 Clearly @Rosalie1 has some sort of axe to grind with Penn. I get the impression that she wanted to attend Penn but got rejected and had to go to Princeton.</p>
<p>On average, a student has a slightly better chance of being accepted to Penn, but an individual student could be accepted at Princeton and rejected at Penn. </p>
<p>It is true that Penn offers ED, but about half of the class is admitted through Regular Admission. My D was not ready to commit to any college at the ED deadline, applied Regular Admission and was accepted. Princeton has SCEA, and you could apply there Early even if you are not ready to commit. </p>
<p>With regard to legacy, it is my understanding that it does not matter whether you went to Penn for undergraduate or for graduate school, but you should verify that. It is true that Penn only improves the chances of legacy candidates that apply ED. However, if you are a strong candidate, you may be accepted without it.</p>
<p>Which college is better really depends on you. We visited both and they are both great schools. Princeton has a beautiful campus, but it is not in a big city. Penn has a very nice campus too, and it is in a big city. Which one is better is a matter of personal preference. Penn has great liberal arts and sciences, but also has strong pre-professional programs such as business, engineering, and nursing. Whether that matters depends on the student. </p>
<p>It terms of your chances, that is almost impossible to guess without more data from you. As you get further along, tell us more about your GPA and SAT and Subject test scores and posters may be able to give you some rough idea about how your chances are shaping up.</p>
<p>Penn students do not live in slums. That is just a lie. And yes, they do tell you that students do not live on campus for 4 years. It is not a secret. In reality, upperclassmen like getting apartments because they are bigger and newer than the ancient Ivy League dorms. </p>
<p>It is also not true that Princeton is the better choice and it’s not even close. It may be better for some, but Penn is better for others. You need to visit and decide what is right for you. </p>
<p>Penn does have a large police force, but that is because that they understand the importance of campus safety. The campus and surrounding student housing areas are quite safe for students. I have walked around the area personally and never felt uncomfortable. </p>
<p>With regard to meals, I don’t know about most students, but my D is on a University meal plan and does not eat an expensive dinner every night. This does not bother her at all. In contrast, what did bother her at Princeton, was that she felt that the Supper Clubs turn meals into status-focussed events. She has a strong egalitarian streak, and she thought that was a big minus, but that depends on the student. I thought it was fine, but it hurt them in her opinion.</p>
<p>I hope that is helpful. Good luck, and I hope you find a college that is right for you. :)</p>
<p>You are only a sophomore and your freshman grades are not that great? From where you stand right now, your chance of getting into Princeton or Penn are very low even with help from your parents. You need a lot more than your legacy status to gain acceptance. Why don’t you focus on your academics and prep for your ACT/SAT over the next few years instead of asking here if you can get in at your age.</p>