Chances at UPenn or Princeton?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>A bit of info on me...</p>

<p>-attending PA public school
-4.0 GPA, 4.8 weighted (as of sophomore year)
-Took 3 honors courses freshman year, 3 honors and AP chem sophomore year, and currently 2 honors, APUSH, and APES junior year
-5 on AP Chem Exam, 780 SAT Chem subject test, 193 sophomore year PSAT, 221 junior PSAT
-first SAT I took: 660 math (ugh, usually my highest section! kind of strange by comparison to other scores) 780 CR, 800 writing, 10 essay</p>

<p>-Varsity cross country runner, JV Spring track
-Student Council, Principal's Advisory Council, Student Curriculum Advisory Council, Spanish Club Executive Council, Human Rights Club, Mock Trial in past, Forensics (first year)
-Senior Girl Scout, have earned Gold Award for hosting a middle school Pi Day
-Summer camp counselor
-play guitar at my church
-a lot of random volunteer work (just for fun!)
-school newspaper editor</p>

<p>-next year's planned schedule: AP Spanish, an AP English, AP Bio, Honors Organic Chem, Honors Calc, Journalism </p>

<p>Thus far, I hope to major in chemistry and minor in journalism or English, so it is really important to me that these academic programs, primarily those for chemistry, are strong. Academics are probably the most important thing for me. Also, I'm NOT a fan of the typical college party scheme. In other words, I'm a stone-cold sober who would like a lot of alternative activities on or around campus.</p>

<p>I know these schools would really be reaches, but would I have any chance at either? Is there anything feasible that I can do to get closer to reaching their standards? Lastly, are there any other schools that any of you would recommend? I live in the western PA region and would like to stay relatively close to home. A college in PA would be great if it suits my needs, but generally the Northeast and mid-Atlantic region is my aim, not venturing further west than Chicago.</p>

<p>Please comment and thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Your highest SAT Math is 660? That’s really low… assuming you raise it to a 750+ next test though it shouldn’t really matter too much. </p>

<p>Right now I see nothing to demonstrate an interest in chemistry though, and I can’t see you having much of a chance if you list chemistry as intended major, while you do have a fair amount of extracurriculars for journalism. </p>

<p>Depending on what else you do, and what demographic you are …</p>

<p>you’ll have a shot if you can greatly improve SAT and ECs </p>

3

<p>It is already a combined 2240 which is very strong. Yes, retake to improve math score but that should be easy. I think what you need to think through is why Penn and Princeton are good fits for you? Given your stats already it will boil down to dumb luck and how well your application and interview communicate the impact you will have at these schools. Consider also Swarthmore and Haverford exceptional LACs close to Philly and sister schools that allow you to take classes at Penn. Northwestern would be a good fit or Columbia</p>

4

<p>Hmm your stats/ecs/personlity is seem to be remarkably similar to mine. Math is one of the sections that with practice you could definitely get up to 800. I’ve been having the same problems with english as my toughest section. It’s tough to show your interest in chemistry at this point, but you could try applying to summer programs, or if you’re really good, Harry Gray’s army (idk if you’ve heard of it). Your EC’s are kinda weak. I think Uchicago would be a good choice for you as well. Princeton is a little bit higher of a reach than UPenn, but both are reaches.</p>

<p>Side note: what ethnicity are you? This could be pretty important.</p>

5

<p>I’m white, so ethnicity won’t help me much, I’m planning to take an accredited physics course this summer (seriously looking into Northwestern’s Equinox program), and also some sort of research program, perhaps the PA Governor’s school, but preferably something a bit shorter since that one lasts five weeks, the physics class is already three weeks, and I also want to leave at least a small amount of time this summer to volunteer at camps, attend cross country practices, and, I don’t know, breathe? Harry Gray’s army seems interesting; do you know of any others? I also have considered starting up an Chem Club at my school and writing an essay, based off of a DNA and cancer lecture I heard, for the Dupont Science challenge. There is also a weather balloon project my environmental science class is starting.</p>

<p>Additionally, are there any schools that would allow me to apply undeclared where doing so might be more advantageous to me?</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

6

Also, should I just concentrate on just getting the math score up or take the ACT too?

7

I didnt see mention of your race. i suppose if you are Muslim or Hispanic, you have a shot. im not aware of Penn or Princeton having journalism as a minor – unless you work on the student newspapers. Maybe they have a department in that, but the best undergraduate J-schools are Missouri and Northwestern, and with your grades and SATs, i think you could get in there. I would think they have great science programs (i…e chemistry) too at Mizzou and Northwestern, too. That’s an odd combo – chemistry and journalism. Journalism is a dying field, too.