<p>I'm an Asian male living in the suburbs of Philadelphia and I need YOUR help!! I want to apply to Penn early decision (and other colleges), and I just need some opinions, etc.</p>
<p>SAT I:</p>
<p>So far I've been working at a 1400 between M and CR (M:750 and CR: 650), but I'm hoping to bring my math up to make it a more solid 1400. I'm looking at a 650 on the writing section (but I'm certain I can bring it up).</p>
<p>SAT II:</p>
<p>760 Chem
650 Physics
630 Math 2</p>
<p>*I'll definitely be taking the Math 2 again and perhaps take a different SAT II besides for physics.</p>
<p>GPA/school:</p>
<p>I'm not sure what it is UW, but my W GPA is 4.35/4.6 (rank 22 of 630)
Taking hardest courses possible with many 6 AP's senior year</p>
<p>EC's:</p>
<p>Unfortunately nothing that stands out too much, but I've been playing on the varsity team since freshman year. I've only won one award for winning districts. I've had two leadership positions in freshman year (Honor Society and Student Council treasurer). I've had other small things keeping me busy but nothing big.</p>
<p>I was also wondering whether it would help if three of my cousins attended Penn and that my aunt has been a nurse at Penn's hospital for many years.</p>
<p>My list:</p>
<p>Penn (ED here)
Cornell
Johns Hopkins
Carnegie Mellon
Vanderbilt
University of Michigan
Lehigh University
PSU</p>
<p>I understand that there are 6 spaces to write in SAT II scores. Do I choose which ones to write down or the most recent ones? Is it necessary to fill out all 6 blanks?</p>
<p>One of the admissions advisors at Penn said that when an applicant applies ED and is not accepted, one of two things can happen: the applicant is either deferred and later re-evalulated in the spring OR the applicant is rejected completely and is not re-evaluated in the spring. She said that they only reject those that the admissions board is confident will not get accepted after the regular decision process. What would prevent an applicant from being re-evaluated in the spring? If it's SATs, how 'low' do they have to be?</p>
<p>As for chances, I'm not too familiar w/Penn, so I can't help you out, but I can tell you that you don't need to fill all six SAT II spaces. Most colleges will only require at most 3 so I can't imagine a place requiring you to take six.</p>
<p>i imagine u mean UPENN and not Penn state right? To be honest, ur SATs and ECs are on the low range for upenn, but your GPA/rank is good. im gonna say youll prolly either be waitlisted or rejected at upenn. as for your other choices, id say u have a good chance except for many cornell.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm really hoping my essays will really pull through. I understand they are the most important aspect, but I think I've gotta have everything else down (tests, GPA, etc.)</p>
<p>People have told me that being in the Philadelphia area makes it significantly easier to be admitted into Penn. How valid is this? I'm in the Philadelphia area, but it's actually the suburbs of Philadelphia. Does this help my chances at all?</p>
<p>Anything that would help me improve my chances? I figured my EC's were at best average, and I'm not stressing too much about it. However, I'm trying to improve the SAT's. Anyway, can someone answer this:</p>
<p>People have told me that being in the Philadelphia area makes it significantly easier to be admitted into Penn. How valid is this? I'm in the Philadelphia area, but it's actually the suburbs of Philadelphia. Does this help my chances at all?</p>
<p>I'm sure it helps to live near Philadelphia, but I've also read that isn't as significant a factor as some say. Gee, that's a lot of help :rolleyes:</p>
<p>You look like you have a good chance at JHU to me, as long as you aren't going into Biomedical Engineering. Penn's a reach. Those are the only two I know (sorry).</p>
<p>From College Board's website, it looks like close to a fifth of the class is from Pennsylvania (perhaps a majority from Philadelphia). On one note, I know a handful of students are accepted from my school each year and not all of them matriculate necessarily. I'll often compare myself to them and we literally share the same EC's (and probably similar stats), like tennis, student council, and class council.</p>
<p>If you attend a public school in the Philadelphia area your chances go WAY up.</p>
<p>Penn - match (because you live in the Philly area)
Cornell - match/slight reach
Johns Hopkins - match/slight reach
Carnegie Mellon - match
Vanderbilt - match
University of Michigan - match
Lehigh University - match
PSU - definitely in</p>
<p>Why is it easier for a Philadelphian to get in? I thought the numbers of in-state admittees were higher because more applied from Pennsylvania. Also, does it help that I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia and not actually in the city (suburbs being about 30 minutes away from the actual college).</p>
<p>Penn admissions really does favor Philadelphians, though I'm not sure whether 30 minutes away in a suburb is still considered Philadelphian. You should try to call them. I believe Penn is obligated to accept a certain amount of Philadelphians per year because they recieve money from the city. Still, your triple legacy will help if you ED. It also depends on which school you plan to apply to. Obviously it would be harder if you tried for Wharton versus SAS or SEAS. ;/</p>
<p>I'll definitely be applying to the college. Are cousins still considered legacies? I didn't figure it would help, if cousins attended the school. I didn't see a slot on the application where I can put down whether my relatives went there or not. Do they just know? How would I tell them?</p>
<p>Having cousins at Penn isn't going to help, needs to be parents, g-parents etc, you might get a very slight consideration for a sibling.</p>
<p>I'm not sure here but I believe Penn gives favor to kids from within city limits, especially low income schools, I can't see why they would favor the wealthy suburban kids.</p>
<p>Penn likes ED but I think it's a definite reach for you, the competition is really tough. Just curious... how many from your suburban Philly class will apply ED to Penn? My guess is a lot. It seems to be a favorite for top Phila area kids (we're in SJ Phila 'burbs).</p>
<p>The rest of your list looks good. I'd definitely try Penn ED though since you don't know unless you try.</p>
<p>Agree with asdfTT123 except for Penn : WL or reject</p>
<p>About 5 kids each year matriculate to Penn, but I'm certain more are accepted even if it's only one or two. I don't think many from my school will be applying ED, because if accepted, they may get little FA support. Our school (public school) isn't exactly wealthy, but most families are middle class. I didn't think the cousins that graduated from Penn would help much. I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't get in, but it would still be nice :)</p>