<p>Hey, guys.</p>
<p>I'm sure you get tons of these threads every day, so I'd like to apologize for another one, lol. Anyway, I graduated from high school the year before last, but decided not to go on to college due to more immediate personal and financial reasons. I plan to work for the remainder of this year, and apply for admission for the Fall of 2010.</p>
<p>Moving on, I'm a little bit concerned about my chances of being accepted. I understand that as an Ivy League establishment, Penn is extremely selective. My main problem is my GPA. Now, please don't laugh me out of here when I say this, but... my average high school GPA was a 2.75. However, I scored very well on the SAT (2260) and the ACT (33). Due to personal and health issues, my freshman and sophomore years were pretty poor. Fortunately, I was able to transfer to a different school my Junior year, and from there on out my grades were pretty good - the combined average of the last two years was around 3.8. </p>
<p>My main concern is that the overall GPA would belie my actual abilities and interest in learning. Before I continue, please realize that I fully understand that I've dug myself in a veritable hole here, so there's no need to tell me that, lol. I've taken summer classes as well as AP and CC courses, and am involved in several extra-curricular acitivies; in addition, I've contributed quite a substantial amount of volunteer hours in my community, which includes taking a Community Service class my senior year. Like I said, my main concern is the umbrella GPA, as the other stuff I don't feel is an issue.</p>
<p>The list of AP/CC classes I've taken (for both years) are as follow:</p>
<p>-AP Psychology
-AP Biology
-CC Latin III
-CC German III
-AP Ancient Greek II
-AP Economics
-AP/CC Senior Lit
-AP/CC Senior Comp
-AP English Language and Composition</p>
<p>In addition, extra-cirricular affiliations are as follows:</p>
<p>-Character Education Committee per principal invitation (organized community events [such as local Veterans Day appriciation/Fire Fighter appriciation/Police Appriciation] and acknowledged students with exceptional character)
-Welcoming Committee (welcomed new students to the high school)
-National Honor Society
-Renaissance
-Peer Meditation/Peer Tutoring
-Political Club (including lobying the State capitol)</p>
<p>Unforunately, I did not play any sports (something I regret!).</p>
<p>I have put in 100 hours of community service as well.</p>
<p>Now, I have letters of recommendation from two teachers and the guidance counselor from when I was college browsing, but will I need to go back and get those updated or something similar?</p>
<p>So... here's where I cross my fingers! I would appreciate any insight and thoughts on the matter. I'm hoping that in the application essay I can get a little personal and explain some of the reasons for my horrendous performance my first two years and that that will help smooth some stuff over.</p>
<p>Sorry for the massive post, but I wanted to be as thorough as possible. Also, if anybody knows about Haverford College, how are my chances for getting in there, as I'm looking at if for my fallback undergrad.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>