Chances of getting into the University of Pennsylvania?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

Hello! I am currently in high school starting to get extremely serious about college and where to go. I visited UPenn this past summer and absolutely adore the campus/environment. However, I am seeking out guidance. If you could assess my stats and achievements below and give me some advice, that would be wonderful. Thank you!

SAT I (breakdown): 1500 (New SAT)

Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0

Weighted GPA: 4.79

Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10%

AP Classes: Taking AP Government and Politics, AP Physics I, AP English 11, AP World History, AP Calculus

Senior Year Course Load: Plan on taking AP Calculus BC, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP French 5, AP English 12, G/T Symphonic Band/Marching, G/T Intern/Mentor

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Not much, AP Scholar, 2nd place at Maryland State Piano Competition, 4th at National Theatre on Ice with skating team, 4th for bridge building at Regionals for Science Olympiad, Girl Scout Silver Award (appeared on local news channel)

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): NHS, Sapphires Figure Skating Team (Team Captain), Columbia Figure Skating Club, Figure Skating, Women’s Choir, Concert Choir, Marching Band (Section Leader), Orchestra, Student Executive Committee (Howard County Student Learning Conference), Orchestral Pit for Theatre Productions, Science Olympiad (Officer), Future Doctors of America (President/Co-founder), Red Cross Club

Job/Work Experience: Tutoring elementary students, babysitting neighbors, internship at local doctors office.

Volunteer/Community Service: Volunteering at local library, Success in Style (secondhand stores/organization to help people prepare for job interviews), Red Cross Volunteer, NHS, help out school’s music department

Summer Activities: Terp Young Scholars program @UMD (earn 3 college credits) Kinesiology , annual competition for figure skating out of state, internship at local hospital, normal volunteer opportunities

Additional: I took a course called Independent Research at my high school where I was able to research the effect of social media on the transgender community. I attended Gender Conference East, a conference for the transgender community. I also worked with local support groups and created lesson plans for the school. I am very big on social activism if that counts for anything

Intended Major: Neuroscience (Pre-Med)

  • Wondering if my race will cause any issues, such as lowering my chances of getting into a university simply because I am a part of a stereotype (Asian doctor)

-Also, I have a large amount of music extra curriculars. Will this negatively impact my application since my intended major is neuroscience?

Other
State (if domestic applicant): Maryland
Country (if international applicant): US
School Type: Public High School
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: ~120,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A

2

Its really hard for anyone to “chance” you as so much of admissions is holistic… that said you seem to have many plus factors for admission and your stats are in line with previous data charts for Penn. Apply ED for best chance…

Its hard for anyone on CC to guess re the new SAT compared to the old one as the concordance tables do show an 80 (or in your bracket a 50 to 60) point advantage in the new test compared to the old test - https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/educators/higher-ed/scoring-changes/concordance
in your case this would be similar to a 1450ish (old sat)… which is still in line with most admits … so If this is the first you’ve taken it, I’d suggest take it again, but probably not too many more times (say 3 max) and I’d suggest taking some SAT subject tests

While your right, “Asian interested in medicine” does seem like a frequent stereotype- IMO, an Asian transgender activist is really intriguing!! (and as a mom of a lgbt child, Thank you for your work!!) You have great leadership experience, awards, research, athletics, music, a 4.0 gpa, summer educational experience…

My advice would be to keep up the great work; research the school and your fit in it in order to write killer specific essays…

3

Thank you so much for your input, it really does mean a lot!

4

You honestly have a great shot, regardless of the stereotypical “Asian doctor.” You have strong, focused ECs and great raw stats and scores. I feel like Penn appreciates strong leadership roles and ECs, and you definitely have that. If you feel that Penn is your top choice by far, I would recommend applying ED - your chances will greatly increase and it’ll be nice to be accepted and done by December. Best of luck in your college process; I’m sure you’ll be great!

5

Thank you so much!

6

Your stats are fine. There are plenty of Asian premeds at Penn. Focus on thinking about your story. What makes you unique? What sets you apart? Why should Penn take you over other people with similar profile? What motivates you to want to study premed?

7

With Penn’s acceptance rate of under 10%, it is impossible for anyone to really chance you. Your academic stats and ECs are strong so you certainly have a shot. But nobody can know if you will get in because Penn simply doesn’t have enough room to take all of the qualified applicants. I wish you good luck. And (I say this to everyone) be sure to apply to a good mix of reach, match, and safety schools that you would be happy to attend.

8

Your stats are fine. With good essays and recs, you’ll have as good of a chance as others without hooks. That is to say, UPenn is a reach.

Therefore, I suggest applying to more reaches (if you like), some matches (highly recommended), and at least one safety (a must).

Only apply to schools you like and could afford, so research them for personal fit and run the NPC.

If you like and can afford all the schools you apply to, you’ll limit the chance of admissions heartbreak.

9

Your ECs are pretty strong but your new SAT score of 1500 (equivalent to 2170 in old SAT?) may hurt you while you compete in Asian (girls) pool. You may try one more time or take a ACT. Writing strong essays and have personalized recommendation letters will boost your chance. UPenn allows 2 additional recommendation letters from others, in addition to 2 school teachers and one school consular, so use this opportunity to reflect multi-facets of your strengths and contributions to communities.

10

Thank you!

11

Thank you!

12

Please rate the chances of getting into Penn.

¥ ACT : 34 SAT II Math 790, SAT PHY 800

¥ Un-weighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9

¥ Weighted GPA: 4.50

¥ Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 4%
¥

¥ AP Classes: Taking AP Government and Politics, AP Physics I, AP English 11, AP World History, AP Calculus
¥

¥ Senior Year Course Load: Plan on taking AP Calculus BC, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP English 12,

¥ Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

¥ 2015 Google Global Science fair Finalist and winner,

¥ 2016 Intel ISEF Finalist,
2016 Global Teen Leader,

¥ John Hopkins Cogito Research award Winner,

¥ Technical insider magazine “One of the 12 kids gives hope for the future “2015.

¥ UMD Smith school of business Innovate for Health challenge grand price winner 2015.

¥ 2016 White House Science Fair, Personal shout out from President.

¥ 2015 Popular Mechanics Break Through Award Winner.

¥ NBC’s Today Show, “Make the Future” Contest, National Winner

Extracurricular (place leadership in parentheses):

o Co-Founder of an Organization involved medical devices development.
o Member, Investment Club Leadership Board.

¥ Recognizes by Washington Post as one of the top ten companies in Washington DC area.
¥ Volunteer/Community Service: NHS, help out school’s math department

¥ Summer Activities:

¥ Paid intern at National Cancer Institute, Bethesda.
¥ C-Level Team of Billion Dollar European company invited Entrepreneurship Training, Europe.
¥ Paid guest lecture at Physicians Conference at CA and IL.

Major: M&T (Planning)

Other
State (if domestic applicant): Maryland
Country (if international applicant): US
School Type: Public High School
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: ~220,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A

13

@MDFolks Chancing is meaningless with M&T, (about 5% acceptance rate). Your achievement is certainly impressive. Just work hard on your application and apply Ed to increase your chance.