Could I get into Brown or UPenn

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’m only a junior in high school, so things could definitely change, but do you think I could get into Brown or UPenn with these stats?

GPA: 3.96 unweighted (my high school doesn’t have weighted GPAs)

  • my school is a very intense, and nationally known rigorous private school that has no APs or IBs, but most or all classes are considered “honors”

SAT: 1470 (I’ve only taken it once)

  • haven’t done subject tests yet

Really solid recommendations from 2 teachers who practically asked to write them for me

  • was thinking of asking a non-academic teacher (the athletic trainer) for another one to add something to my application-- thoughts?

My school has no class rank

Leader of Student Tour Guides, and “Big Sibling” program at my school, as well as Yearbook Editor

Varsity Tennis Grades 9-12

Boys Varsity Tennis Manager

Volunteer bi-weekly at local elementary kindergarten in the inner-city

Summer job as a Camp Counselor

Legacy at UPenn (Dad)

Sorry, I don’t have too much right now, but let me know what you think!!

2

Raise the SAT and I say you have a shot at UPenn if you ED. Brown is a high reach since your ECs don’t set you apart that much. GPA is high too. Chance me back? http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/washington-university-st-louis/1987018-ed-to-washu-stl-class-of-2022.html#latest

3

@brownbound7 I feel you need to raise your SAT a bit to have a good chance. Your GPA is great. Your chances will be a bit higher if you do ED at Penn given your legacy status. ED at Brown would also bump your chances a bit compared to RD, but not as much as at Penn since you don’t have legacy status. RD at both schools is a crap shoot, especially since you do not have any wow factor.

Another thing to consider is fit. Brown and Penn have many differences as schools.

4

I’d say chances at brown are low. Brown LOVES EC’s (from what I’ve seen in the past) and you seem to lack it. PENN (from what I’ve seen) is more stats based. Of course ECs are important but I think if you raise SAT to a 1550 and ED, you’re in.

For me personally, I applied both PENN and brown and highly regret my SAT score (low 1500’s). It didn’t seem a big deal at the time but there are kids who get 2380 (old SAT) and 1550+ who got in over me despite similar GPA and EC’s.

5

@Dogcat73 - interesting, I didn’t think Brown was that into the stats, thought they were a little more holistic. Penn is stats focused agree there.

As couple of others have said, your best strategy is to retake SAT and apply ED to Penn, as Penn is taking more and more of its class from ED.

6

@theloniusmonk all ivies care about the stats Unless you’re hooked, which is often (imo) underestimated on this site. For instance, just getting a 1500 isn’t exactly enough to make you competitive if you’re unhooked (like me), so for me PERSONALLY, I think a higher SAT would’ve made me pretty competitive

7

You have excellent grades, below average test scores, and poor ECs. Get your scores up above like a 33ACT equivalent and write good essays. You might get into UPenn because of legacy, but Brown is a dubious proposition

8

If you get your test scores up and kill it on the essays, UPenn (ED) is feasible, but Brown is a reach. Your GPA looks great! What’s your intended major?

Chance back?: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1988168-chance-me-for-top-tier-schools-ivies-and-the-like-second-sem-junior.html#latest

9

@brownbound7 A lot of misinformation going on here. Penn cares very much about GPA and extracurriculars , cares slightly less about SATs. Maybe it is more stats focused than Brown, but they do care enormously about ECs.

@Dogcat73 Of course he is not guaranteed in at Penn if he raises his SAT to 1550. Yes he has a good chance, but no one is guaranteed in not even a person with 1600. There are many top scorers that get rejected every year at Penn ED.

@agood2000 thwere is no basis in saying Penn ED is feasible while Brown is a reach. Penn takes more of its class ED but the ed pool at Penn is really competitive. Anyone who can get into Penn ED has equal or better chances of getting into Brown.

ED should be based on what school is your first choice. Penn and Brown have vast differences even though they are both ivies.