Could I get into UPENN?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hello, Im a junior in high school right now. I'll graduate in 2013 Below are my scores, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, etc.</p>

<p>Ethnicity: Caucasian
Siblings: Trip to Korea & China in which we adopted two sisters</p>

<p>Education: </p>

<p>GPA:
weigheted: 3.8
unweighted: (I'm not sure how to calculate that; our school doesn't tell us)</p>

<p>ACT Scores:
I got a 29 my first time taking it. I have recently got an ACT tutor and I'm aiming for a 30, 31+</p>

<p>Class Percentile:
Top 5%</p>

<p>Freshman Year Classes & Grades:</p>

<p>Advanced Geometry: Final Grade: A-
Advanced Biology: Final Grade: A
Advanced English II: Final Grade: A
Advanced Spanish II: Final Grade B+
Advanced World History: Final Grade A-
Honors Science Research Program: A+</p>

<p>Sophomore Year Classes & Grades:</p>

<p>Honors English III: Final Grade: A
Advanced US. Civics: Final Grade: A+
Advanced Algebra II: Final Grade: A
Advanced Chemistry: Final Grade: A-
Honors Science Research Program YrII: Final Grade: A
Advanced Spanish III: Final Grade: A-</p>

<p>Junior Year Classes & Grades (so far)</p>

<p>A.P. Literature & Composition: Grade: A
Computer Programming: A+
Intermediate Computer Programming: starts after previous Computing Programming class)
Honors Physics: Grade: B+
Advanced Precalculus: A
Advanced Science Research Program YrIII: A+
Advanced U.S. History II: Grade: A+
Advanced Spanish IV: Grade: A+</p>

<p>Senior Year Classes (Planning to Take)</p>

<p>Advanced Spanish V
A.P. Language & Composition
Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology
A.P. Biology
A.P. Calculus A.B.
A.P. Computing
Honors Science Research Program YrIV
Engineering Design I
Engineering Design II
Robotics</p>

<p>Sports:</p>

<p>J.V. Basketball Team, '09 (left after freshman year due to a torn Achilles tendon)
Varsity Ultimate Frisbee, '09-'13
Varsity Volleyball, '12-'13</p>

<p>Clubs & Positions:</p>

<p>Habitat for Humanity, '09-'12
Habitat for Humanity Co' President - '13
Intramural Sports, '09-'13
Cancer Research Society, '12-'13
Newspaper, '11-'13
Dodgeball Club '12-'13
Ultimate Frisbee Club, '09-'13
Perfect Love Christian Club, '11-'13
Link Crew (helping freshman get associated into high school), '12, '13
Big Brother/Big Sister Program President - '13</p>

<p>Extracurriculars, Volunteering, Jobs, etc.:
Visting Student in Research Psychiatry at Yale University
Yale Mentorship Program (working with Nii Antie Addy, Ph.D. in research lab)
J.C.C. Basketball League
Pianist - currently seven years of piano
Church Technical Crew, '08-'13 (every Sunday morning)
Church Youth Group Fundraiser Board - '09-'13
Missions Trip to Dominican Republic (summer of 2012)
Park & Rec. Camp Counselor - '10 -'13
Basketball Scorekeeper - '12-'13
Baseball Scorekeeper - '07-'13
Baseball Umpire - '09-'11
Amity Football League - '10
P.A.C.K. Intercity Community Outreach
Pianist at Local Elderly Home
Volunteer work at St. Rapheal's Hospital - '09 - '12</p>

<p>I currently have in between 750-850 hours of community service and am aiming to get over 1000 by the end of my junior and senior year.</p>

<p>I want to go into Biomedical Engineering. </p>

<p>Should I apply to UPenn?</p>

2

<p>I am far from an admissions counselor but your stats look pretty good to me:) You take lots of honors/AP classes which is good and you else have solid grades in all of your classes which is another plus. Nice ECc too.</p>

<p>The weird thing about Penn is that kids with straight A’s and off-the charts SAT scores get rejected all the time – Therefore, I cannot promise you will get in. But you have a pretty good chance as far as I’m concerned. So go for it!</p>

<p>Good luck :)</p>

3

<p>Oh and by saying that straight A kids get rejected all the time, I don’t mean you will. I’m just saying that Penn accepts kids for different reasons. It’s not all about strong classes and great grades. But there’s more to you than grades anyway because you have good ECs so I think you’re Penn material.</p>

4

<p>Penn admissions are a crapshoot for most, so it is nearly impossible to tell whether or not you can get in based solely on stats and the brief description of ECs you listed. That said, your grades are alright, seeing as they are mostly A range you should be ok. ACT however… you pretty much need to get above the 25th percentile of scores, which would mean a 31 or higher ([Penn</a> Admissions: Incoming Class Profile](<a href=“http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/profile/]Penn”>http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/profile/)). Try taking the SAT if you don’t do so well the next time. As for your ECs, they seem to be a bit “club joiner status”, as in you just join things for the sake of joining. Try to narrow down your activities so you are very focused in maybe 2 or 3 of them, this is much more appealing to most if not all colleges (Penn included). Good luck when you apply next year.</p>

5

<p>in all honestly i will tell you no you probably won’t get in but in reality there is alway hope because IVY league schools are unique because they really don’t necessarily accept only student with straight As some can even get Cs but i strongly suggest that you do something that sticks out in your application that is uncommon. Like i want to go to UPenn as well but i also have family connections so i am applying early. My Gpa is the same as yours. I have taken 11 honors and 2 Aps and i am taking 3 more next yr. I play the viola (not so unusual but usually people who play a string instrument pick up the violin. i am involved with all the diversity programs and community service programs at my school and i am black. (Diversity Club, GSA, Big brother big sister and habitat for humanity. Every summer i work at the y for volunteer and sometimes i am an inclusion staff or someone who works with children with special needs. I went to africa with my dad and help out on a medical mission. I play FH and i am super competitive in track. i am actually trying to be recruited for my top choices for school in track) I also do a bunch of other unnecessary things but even so it does not mean i will get in or that i won’t get it. You have just as good a shot as anyone. BUt if Penn is your ultimate choice you need to literately kill your essay and show them that you are desperate to go to that school. During the summer i have scheduled an interview with them and i plan to go to the track camp to meet the coach. My Sat and ACt scores are not good but are not terrible so i am going to take them again. BUt overall my point is i know how you feel. You have found your dream school but it is slightly out of your/ anyone’s reach but if upenn is really your top choice. you want to show Upenn that you are the best candidate for their school and take every opportunity available to get to know more about Upenn and demonstrate to the admission staff that Upenn is the “it” for you. But again that does not guarantee that you will get in. but best of luck :)</p>