Hey, I’m a high school sophomore, and I want to apply ED to Penn in the near future. I need help. I really appreciate anyone looking at this.
PROS:
Took practice SAT cold, got around a 2000 on both (cold, no studying) attempts. I’ve begun studying and a tutoring service already, so by late junior year, I’m reaching for a 2300-2400.
I get straight As and this year I’m in one AP, next year I have a 7 AP schedule mapped out.
President of yearbook club.
Future president of mock trial club.
Robotics club
President of my grade (elected)
Peer tutor
Skipping a year of math (taking precalc over the summer, plan on Calc BC next year)
I go to schools and give lectures about a specific disorder on behalf of a charity which I don’t own.
I won the academic award for geometry last year.
I believe my essay will be good
I know I’ll be in the news for my charity a lot in the near future
CONS:
I have no legacy at Penn besides two cousins of my father
I come from a pretty privileged area
Here’s the worst part, the real reason I made this post: I, as of the end of freshman year, have a 3.6333 GPA. My school has no valedictorian and does not release class ranks, and I have a 3.94 weighted. I’ve done the math, and if I get straight As this year and next, get an A from summer precalc moved over, and take two off-schedule easy A classes that my school offers that factor into GPA (Math research, science research), I’ll end Junior year with around a 3.88. The reason for this is because I reallllly messed up in 8th and 9th grade. 8th grade, math, science, and spanish counted as I’m in honors and I believe I count as a year ahead in science. Look below
The rest, all As. This is due to my literal lack of ANY studying or doing any homework. I was going through some stuff, I got REALLY lazy (I put in the amount of effort that I should now), and I swear I didn’t open a single book. I’ve always been bad at Social Studies, but this year in AP World I believe I’ll end with an A- at worst. My question is, how do my odds look?
How could I improve them?
I’m anticipating a good ACT as well (I’ll be taking both). Ivy is my dream, especially Penn, and I don’t know what I’d do if I used my ED on it and got rejected because little 8th and 9th grade me was too lazy to study for two classes he could’ve easily aced.
I am not an expert on this, but I have not heard of Penn considering 8th grade results. DD had high school algebra and geometry in 7th and 8th grade, and she got credit for it, but it did not impact her Penn admission. Perhaps you should talk to your GC about it.
I’ve never heard of any colleges looking at junior high grades, maybe for your school they will. Also, I have never heard of a highschool that includes junior high grades. So far your grades are really bad(for UPenn). But if you get straight A’s from here on out there is a good chance. You really need to be on top of your game especially if you are privileged. You are expected to get exceptional grades and you still have a chance so get yourself motivated.
Those 8th grade grades will count if they are on your high school transcript and factor into your GPA. My school also allows you to take algebra and spanish 1 before high school and it counts as a year of math and spanish for college admissions. I’m pretty sure they forewarn you numerous times in middle school that your grades count toward highschool.
I do get exceptional grades now, and I know I will next year, but the fact that I can’t change my crappy grades in 8th and 9th is so frustrating. I’m wildly motivated this year. Did you take into account my extra curriculars? What do you think my chances of getting in ED are, with a 3.85 - 3.88? 3 classes from 8th grade are on my transcript, the ones I listed. Is there any way to retake a class and fix them? Does that reflect badly to UPenn? Thanks
You have solid EC’s. Not great or bad they are just in the middle(For ivy level universities). It’s good you’re holding leadership positions in the clubs but I’ve had friends with top ten class rankings and similar positions but they didn’t get into any Ivies. I guess it really depends on how active the clubs are and the accomplishments that you have achieved. If you do get in the news and really make your charity thing work, you probably will have a great chance. That is, of course, assuming you will get all A’s and a great SAT. If you need to raise your GPA, take local community college classes during the summer break so you can get 5.0 GPA weight. Or you can replace AP classes with college courses so that you can fit in more classes to raise your GPA. For example, instead of taking AP euro at highschool, you can take Western civilization: Medieval to Modern Era and it will only be one semester instead of a whole year. A lot of my friends replaced college courses for AP classes because: 1. you don’t need to take the AP exam, 2. College courses are only 1 semester, and 3. you don’t need to repeat the classes when you get into university without the AP exam(actually depends on which university you get into). Check with your school to see which community college courses count as 5.0. I remember at my school, Preparatory chemistry at my local college was a 5.0 but it was half the things you learn in AP chem.
The policy at my school is that if you retake a class that you didn’t fail they average the 2 grades. So say you got a B+ (89%) the first time you take the course but retake it and get an A (100%) then it’s (3.33+4)/2 rather than (89+100)/2. I would ask your counselor about it, your school may have a different policy than mine and allow you to replace the grade.
I don’t think your middle school grades will affect you much. Also, your ECs are exceptional and with your SAT score and course load are impressive!! 7 APs is wow!
Your GPA would definitely need to go up for the Ivies. Otherwise, you’re in great shape. Good luck!
Absolutely I see how that looks a little laundry-list-esque! Actually, it’s really helpful that you mention that because I’m so involved in all of those it’s a poor representation to have it look like that, I should go into greater detail (i.e. I stay at school until ~6:00 for robotics every day). I think being president is helpful? Thank you! I hope I do go Ivy, I think a strategic choice of ED is very important. I’ll be back here next year for help with that, haha! Although I do have a college adviser.
I can guarantee a GPA from 3.85 to 3.88 by the end of junior year, and that’s not including if I retake any classes. Maybe 3.9+ if I get away with retakes over the summer! Thanks for believing I can get into an Ivy…I hope so!