Chances for UPenn CAS ED (Dream School)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

Hello! So I just visited Penn this past week and it immediately became my number one choice after talking to students, professors, and emailing my tour guide a couple times after. I would love to know my chances for Early Decision this year!

I plan on double majoring in English and Bio and being pre-med. I am super passionate about writing and being able to combine two distinctly different though processes into one (hence the double major). I am also a white male in western PA and have a single parent, low income.

Test Scores:
-ACT: 34C
-PSAT: 1470, my index was 220, hopefully am NMS semi-finalist
-I just took Math II and Chem SAT IIs so I will have those scores soon.

Course Load:
-Freshman Year: Honors Civics, H Algebra 2, H English, H Bio (no AP classes are offered at my school until 11th grade), Spanish 2, H Psychology, H Child Psychology
-Sophomore: H World Cultures, H English, H Precalc, H Chem, H Mythology, Media, Spanish 3, Excel/Computer Science
-Junior: AP Chem, AP Calc AB, AP Language & Comp, H Spanish 4, H American Cultures, H Human Anatomy & Physiology (college level course w/out AP test), plus Online Finance
-Plans for Senior Year: AP Bio, Honors Physics, AP Lit, AP Calc BC, AP Psych, AP Economics
-Class rank: 1 of 205
-GPA 4.5 W, 4.0 UW

Extracurriculars Thus Far:
-Varsity Track (since 7th grade)
-Varsity Cross Country (2 years)
-NHS Treasurer
-Co-founder of Interact Club (district wide volunteer organization) (3 years)
-Chair of Charity Run (2 years)- raised 30,000 last year for the Free Care Fund of Children’s Hospital, I am in charge of social media, contacting sponsors, etc, next year I will be head leader (i have also volunteering for this event since freshman year, became chair junior year)
-UPCI Summer Research Internship (this coming summer)- I will be researching Tumor Immunology and hope to get published/submit to Siemens!
-Science Olympiad & PRSEF Science Fair (since 9th grade)
-Head Barista at local coffee shop (I love this, I can make latte art!)
-Writing: trying to get published, entering a few competitions/submissions soon, but it’s definitely something I am passionate about
-Second Job as a tutor for Chem, Algebra, and Spanish
-Also have raised over 2,000 dollars for a charity event known as Mini-THON (overall, the event has raised over 250,000 dollars in the last three years and I have been a part in the event/setting up/raising money since it began)
-Teen Institute (kind of like mentoring younger kids and helping them through family issues, I love this!)

Of course, I do realize that at this level, admissions are quite unpredictable and cannot truly be determined, but I just wanted to know if it is worth applying or what more you think I could do to set myself apart and/or raise my chances. I plan on writing essays that are more about who I am as a person rather than what I have done for ECs (lmk if you think this is a good idea). Thanks!!

2

I’m in the same situation! Just visited yesterday and it is for sure my #1 now! I think you look very strong as an applicant, especially given your class rank. Your grades and ACT is definitely in their range (I think even higher than the average student they accept) and your ECs are impressive. I think you have a great shot, especially ED. If you have a minute, it would be awesome if you could give me your thoughts on my chances to Penn as well
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/university-pennsylvania/1999086-what-are-my-chances-of-getting-into-upenn.html#latest

3

You seem like a qualified candidate. You have a shot but nothing is guaranteed. You could just as easily be denied as your are accepted. Focus on writing a good essay to distinguish yourself from other high academic achieving applicants.

4

@vegucated26 I’m going to guess you’ve spent some time looking at Dean Furda’s blog about Penn admissions. If not, that would be a good idea before you start your essays and applicaton etc.

With the stats you have, if Penn is the school you’re passionate about there is not much reason not to apply ED. A few things to consider before you do:

Have you “run the numbers” with your mom just to be sure you can figure out the finances? Before you waste a restricted early application on a school you should at least have an idea on whether or not your family will be able to figure out if they can manage whatever you might be required to contribute to the cost of Penn.

If you and your mom feel you can afford the family portion, then make sure you get started on the application early, work your essays hard, make sure you have the best recs. you can etc. Sounds like you are spending part of the summer at Penn. Use that time to familiarize yourself with the school as best you can.

Then write a good application and keep your fingers crossed. But really make sure you and your family can afford Penn. Nothing worse than getting into a dream school only to realize you can’t attend due to finances. College is very expensive - for everyone.

Good luck.

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@AnthonyZ thank you so much! I just chanced you back. Hope to see you at penn!

@Dontskipthemoose yes i know nothing is a guarantee. thank you for the tip!

@CaliDad2020 thank you i will definitely follow your tips!

6

anyone else want to chance? :slight_smile:

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Upduate: I got my subject scores for Chem and Math 2, both are in the low 700 range, so I will be retaking in October and studying extremely hard!!

8

I think you have a great chance at Penn if you apply ED. My D17 was accepted RD. My only advice is to submit another application 1st to make sure all the kinks are worked out of the CA and your application in general. Go ahead and submit your application to Brown in August or early September and let it sit for a couple of weeks before you look at it with fresh eyes. Good luck!

9

Hey! Did you get in?

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@collegeready33 unfortunately no! But I’m either attending northwestern or university of Southern California on full scholarship! (Unless I were to get in Columbia or Harvard off the waitlist which is super unlikely!)

11

Both are great schools! Congrats!