<p>Im a rising Junior. I had a bad freshman year of high school but im back on track and by the end of my Junior year I should have a 3.4 or little higher.
I have had a big grade improvement trend. Im African-American, and going to be a first genereation college student(parents were born in Africa). After my senior year I should have a 3.6. Im in numerous honors classes. I was wondering if I had any chance at a top school. This is my schedule for my Junior year.
Finance
Physics Honors
AP Lang
US VA History
PreCalculus Honors
AP Macroeconomics/Microeconomics
Spanish 3
I should get straight A's in this schedule.
I should have a very good SAT score I am taking classes and studying hard for it, I should definately get 2000+ on it. Im an intelligent kid but I had a lot of problems my freshman year.
My EC's include: Freshman Basketball, JV Basketball, Varsity Spring and Winter Track for 11th and 12th grade. I am also volunteering at my church as an assistant teaching a 1st grade sunday school class, and im also a volunteer in the church office and have been doing so since last summer.
I'm an officer this year for the Future Business Leaders of America.
Im in the Science Honor Society. I want to be an Investment Banker and U Penn is my dream school (along with some other schools in the north east). What can I do to improve and what are my chances at U Penn and other top schools? My freshman gpa was 2.7, sophomore gpa 3.57 and junior year should be 4.0 or close to it. My school doesnt weight honors classes only APs. UPenn is my dream school, do I have a chance? Any tips on what I can do to make my chances better? Thanks.</p>
<p>Your GPA is definitely going to be a problem. It's not up to par with UPENN. And I worry that, based on your past two years, you won't get straight A's this year.</p>
<p>If your school offers AP's, you should take them. Colleges like when you take the hardest classes. And make sure that in your EC's, you attain leadership positions. That is a must.</p>
<p>And my final, and most important, note is STOP PANICING! Your in your Junior year, and you should focus on school work and not college until the spring. Get that 4.0 you wanted, and then think UPENN.</p>
<p>ALSO, make sure UPENN is the right place for you. Don't go just because its an IVY. Some small liberal arts colleges have great econ departments.</p>
<p>your black nuff said. you can get in with stats that are lower since you are an underrepresented minority who is working hard. just get above 2050+ on the SAT and do well in school GPA wise and you are set.</p>
<p>I think you're over simplifying it KLEE. Yes, it is easier for minorities. But
schools like the Ivy's have the ability to be selective within the minorities.</p>
<p>Yes, Klee is way off base. Being a URM is a bit of a "tip", just like legacy, but not a "hook". Your stats and ECs still have to be up there to get into Penn. Just look at Dulce de leche who was both URM & legacy and was rejected.</p>