Chances for UPenn Admission?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

What do you think my chances for UPenn are?
I applied for bioengineering at UPenn SEAS under Regular Decision. Below is what my application consists of:
Objective:
Indian Male
SAT I {best single sitting) : 1520
SAT I (superscore) (breakdown): 1530
SAT II: 750 in Chemistry, 750 in World History, 800 in Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.85
Weighted GPA: 4.15
AP (place score in parenthesis): 4 in AP Chemistry and World History, 5 in AP AB Calculus, AP English Lang and Comp
Senior Year Course Load and Grades (first semester grades):
AP Calc BC- A-
AP Bio- B

AP Gov B+
AP Art 2D Design A
AP Spanish A
Genetics and Biotechnology A
English 12 Honors B+
First Semester GPA (weighted): 4.4

Honors: Varsity Letters, Medal in National Spanish Exam, Athletic Awards
(I’ve taken multiple physics and biology courses but they aren’t AP).

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Debate and Forensics (vice president), Cross Country, South Asian Student Association, Karate (Black Belt and partly Instructor), and Student Ambassadors
Job/Work Experience: Intern at my Pediatrician’s office for nearly 100 hours
Volunteer/Community service: A LOT of community service- volunteering at a senior center and at a hospital for at 200 hours combined.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): My common app essay was extremely person and said a lot about me (it was about my problem with traditional religion) (9) and my “Why Upenn” essay was extremely strong because I wrote about what I wanted to do, very specific information about the university, what clubs I wanted to join, why I’m attracted to it, and more (8.5).
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): Because I am applying for bioengineering, I got a recommendation from my AP Bio and AP Calculus AB teachers. My bio teacher has known me since freshman year because he was my chem teacher too, and my calc teacher wrote a strong rec because I used to tutor kids who were struggling in his class a lot. Both an 8-9/10

Teacher Rec #1: AP Bio (8.5)
Teacher Rec #2: AP Calc (8.5)
Counselor Rec: Counselor’s don’t know any of us so it’s probably really generic (6).
Additional Rec: So last year, I took history honors with one of my teachers. I got extremely close with this teacher and I used to talk with her all the time after school and she knows almost every detail of my life. She got breast cancer (thankfully she is doing a lot better now) and I used to email her while she was on medical leave. We even had coffee at the end of junior year together at a Starbucks. I know UPenn values personal qualities a lot, and I’m really hoping this recommendation shows them I’m a good person (haha i know). I would rate this rec a 10.5/10
Interview: My interview went extremely well (lasted for over an hour). He was from Penn Engineering and he thought I was a perfect fit for the school and told me he would write me a stellar report. At one point we were talking about Netflix shows so it seemed he was interested in talking to me.

Other: So I take AP Art in my school and I submitted a portfolio with about 8 of my best works. The focus is on design (the Admissions officers said this would be relevant to my major so it would work in my favor). Out of everything, I guess this is what sets me apart from the other engineering applicants.

What do you guys think my chances are? Upenn is definitely a reach for me and I don’t really expect I get in (Though this is my #1 school so here’s hoping) but I think it’s possible I have a shot. I didn’t apply ED because I heard even though the acceptance rate is higher the applicant pool is stronger and it’s possible I would be rejected rather than deferred. This is what I sent, let me know what you guys think.

2

Well your test scores will get you a fair read, but I personally think your UW GPA is a little low. To me, especially looking at your senior first semesters and seeing that you got a B in AP Bio, though you want to be a bioengineering major, would maybe make me a little confused. Also, you want to be an bioengineering major and didn’t take AP physics? I’m just a little confused, and maybe your school doesn’t offer physics, which then would be in no way held against you. You’ve taken a fair amount of APs, which shows strength in course load, which is a good thing and will maybe help balance out the semi-low UW GPA. I think that your AP Art would set you apart and maybe balance out your GPA which is a little on the low side. Your ECs are strong for sure, the interview definitely won’t hurt, and if you believe that your essay, supplement, and recs are strong, then you will definitely be considered.

The thing about all Ivies is that they are a reach for everyone. Just as a disclaimer, no one can truly say if you are going to get in because only admissions officers can tell you that. If the admissions officers take all of the pieces of your application and believe that you would be a good fit for Penn and that you would thrive there, then ultimately that’s what it comes down to. I think you’ve got your foot in the door with your standardized testing and your course load, so hopefully they see that you would be a good fit and accept you.

3

I’m really not sure. Your profile roughly fits; your GPA and course rigor are maybe a tiny bit below average for them, but nothing I’d expect to really hurt you. Your SAT is right about average for them. Probably the biggest weakness with your app is the somewhat lack of engineering specific extracurriculars, although your pediatrician experience could help make up for that a little bit. Overall, I’d say you’re a qualified applicant, but your academics wont make you stand out to the admissions committee, nor will they hurt your chances in any real way. It’ll come down to being able to stand out in your essays, interviews, and recs. If those are as good as you think they are, I’d guess you’ll get in.

4

Thanks! AP Physics isn’t offered at my school. In terms of my UW GPA, because every school is different, I looked at this website that tells you basically what the GPA was for people from my school who got accepted into upenn, and the average UW GPA is I believe .05 higher than mine (hopefully this doesn’t hurt me too much). Here’s hoping! Thank you!

5

Anyone else? I just want to know what you guys think.

6

Decent chance. You have a shot.