<p>I applied to Penn ED and was deferred. My entire application is very strong (excellent grades, lot of diverse ECs, leadership, community service, international service, etc.). However, my standarized test scores are not up to par. When I was deferred, I sent in a 32 ACT. I retook the Feb 2012 ACT and just got my scores back. I had to send the scores directly for Penn to get them int ime. Unfortunately, my composite dropped to a 30. How much of a negative impact will this have on my chance of admission? :/</p>
<p>I mean, they deferred you in part because they wanted to get a look at RD applicants, but also to give you a chance to come up with something new, follow up on an interest, or, like you did, re-take a test. So, I don’t wanna say it’s going to ruin your chances completely, but hopefully your recent grades and other parts of your app will compensate for this.</p>
<p>a 32 is satisfactory for admission to penn/wharton. like snappy said, it doesn’t show any achievement since your deferral. penn, however, stresses they single-handedly consider an applicant’s highest standardized test score. therefore, i think you should interpret the score as “i blew a chance to show penn the continuation of my success streak” rather than “i blew my chance to go to penn.” i highly doubt it will be anything of a deciding factor. Hopefully you had some other accomplishment 1st semester that you wrote them about (i.e. scholarship, varsity letter, competition win)?</p>
<p>Thank you SO much to both of you. That’s exactly how I interpreted this opportunity. It was a chance for me to catapult myself into the acceptance pool or to throw away my chance at admission. I did send them a letter. The letter, however, does not include anything about varsity letters because I don’t play sports for my school and there haven’t been any competitions at my school so far this year I did note my involvement in community service and new projects that I’ve started. </p>
<p>Also, I applied to CAS which should be easier to get into. In addition, I got straight A’s first semester senior year. Fingers crossed :S</p>
<p>Obviously the college admission process is not an open book, but I’ve always thought that test scores simply get you into the “up to par” pile. Meaning, they won’t make or break you… If you have the 32 I wouldn’t be too worried about the 30 they can see that as your best score and they’ll go by that.
(Freshman at Penn, applied with 1850 SAT and 33 ACT)</p>
<p>Thank you! I do remember hearing in an interview with Eric Furda that ACT/SAT scores are more checklist items…rather than being analyzed, it’s a “you’re up to par” or “you’re not”. Congrats on being accepted to Penn! I got deferred ED so I’m hoping for the best now!</p>
I did note my involvement in community service and new projects that I’ve started. </p>