I’m applying ED to penn (cas not Wharton) and am wondering my chances. Almost everybody around me including my college guidance counselors have been supportive but I can tell they all think I shouldn’t use my ED to penn. they said that even cornell would be my best bet and to not obsess over it ( which I won’t I’ll be perfectly happy wherever I go) but I just wanna know what y’all think. My class rank is the most troubling part of my app I think even though it is top 10% there are several students above me who may have ecs and essays better or an par w me
SAT: 1570-800M, 770R
SATII: 800M, gonna take physics this month
GPA/rank: 3.87, 40/530
Taken 8 ap tests, 5 on both calc exams, stats, and eng, 4 on both physics about and chem
Awards
NMSF, national ap scholar, national Latin exam silver, 4time AIME qualifier, BPA Nationals 4th Place
ECs
Math national honor society president
Mathnasium paid instructor
KEY club president
Chess club founder
Local chess tutor
Math research with UH professor
Indian community club president
varsity tennis
Indian male, math major, idk what else I’m forgetting
I live in NY
Thx any feedback would be amazing!
@tedevelynmosby
This is going to be extremely not helpful, but you have a totally legit shot at getting into Penn CAS ED - and you could just as easily not get in, esp without some sort of hook. Obviously your test scores/AP/NMSFs are great. GPA is good enough. EC’s look fine if unexceptional… so you’re going to look - +/- a few GPA points, SAT points etc. - like most/many of the ED’s Penn (or any top competitive school) accepts.
This may sound annoyingly trite, but my experience has been “in general” that students have a better shot someplace they are passionate about (and know how to articulate that passion.) So if it truly is “pick 'em” for you between Cornell and Penn, ask your GC to look at the naviance and this year’s apps for your school and go with his/her gut as to whre you have the best chance - they’ve done this a lot more than any of us. If, on the other hand, one of Penn (or Cornell) really speaks to you more (beyond the US News ranking) I’d say go with your gut, but make sure you really let the excitement you feel for where you apply infuse your application.
Sorry this is not more definitive, but anyone who tells you they know your chances, esp. without a strong hook, is blowing smoke. I’ve seen plenty of kids with your stats get in, and seen a surprisingly high number not get admitted.
The additional “good news” is, even if you don’t get into Penn/Cornell ED you’re going to get into a number of very good schools. Make sure you/your parents can afford them etc. etc. etc. With your stats you might get merit aid at some good schools as well.
Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it and get everything that you’re saying. Even tho I may not have sounded like it, Penn is really by far my top choice not bc of rankings. I’ve visited twice and talked to as many people who I could find who go there. And I also like their interdisciplinary aspect since that’s something I’m definitely going to take advantage of. Now I just have to express all of this in my essays rip. I visited cornell and honestly there are several easier to get into schools in my area that I would rather go to which is why I’ve stuck with penn Ed.
@tedevelynmosby
There’s your answer. My only additional suggestion would be do what you’re doing: identify why you are passionate about Penn, make sure to get it into your application in an authentic way. Also, think about what you might bring to Penn that is unique, personal and “real” as well. I assume you’ve done this already, but if not be sure you check out Dean Furda’s online blog about applying to college. You can find it through a search engine or maybe even on Penn’s website.
Give it your best shot and just know that the application process at competitive schools can be frustratingly capricious. Make sure you’ve got strong back-ups. You’re certain to have many interesting choices - or hopefully, Penn!
Good luck.