<p>Thank you all very much for your input! Again, I very much appreciate it. </p>
<p>My SAT score certainly isn’t yet final – I’ll be taking the SAT and ACT multiple times before the applications are due. </p>
<p>I’ll also be taking SAT IIs in the coming months: Physics, Mathematics. </p>
<p>I’ve chosen to focus on the extracurricular activities that mean the most to me and have the best potential for impact on other people’s lives. </p>
<p>I founded the GSA because I needed to make a difference in my school community, and I truly felt that I could do some good in my school; I strongly hope that my club is making such a positive difference. I joined the Young Republicans Club so I could get involved in issues that concern me and share my thoughts with other young adults. I wrestled because I loved the sport (unfortunately, I was injured), and I loved being part of a team and having that sort of camaraderie. Getting to wrestle Varsity was an added plus. I tutor because I love children and want to help them. I’m in Academic Decathlon and other academic teams because I like to learn and enjoy academic competitions. </p>
<p>I founded an outside organization to combat misinformation because in the past several years, the proliferation of misinformation throughout my community has become increasingly clearer to me. I don’t like being inactive, and thus I’ve chosen to act. Our outreach is through print and online outlets, and this is an organization I hope to continue to grow in the coming years. A lot of our focus is currently centered on mental illness, abuse, pregnancy, substance abuse, and there’s some science outreach as well. It’s not something I see as child’s play; it’s something I hope to use as a tool to help people and families in the years to come, which means that I hope to continue to grow my organization long after high school. </p>
<p>As for the essays, it is definitely one of my strong suits. I have three teachers who have attested to my strong writing skills and natural voice (one teacher tried to get me to join their essay-writing team, which I was forced to turn down due to a conflict with another school team . . . it appears that teachers do sometimes share their students essays with other teachers, which came as a surprise to me). As a plus, I have a friend who was a college professor and tech writer for many years (was, because she retired about a month ago) who has offered to read over my essays and offer advice. The aforementioned three teachers would probably not be adverse to doing the same for me. </p>
<p>If anyone has any ideas on how I could make myself a more competitive applicant, that would be very welcome. </p>
<p>Also, if anyone could chance me for the University of Pennsylvania, that would be lovely. Thank you.</p>