Do i dare ask for my chances? lol

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hi </p>

<p>I am an international student who has applied to penn. I come from a not-so financially sound background but have had the oppertunity to travel across the world (Lived 6 years in India, 4 years in germany and belong to pakistan).
I am the only one in my family who has ever applied abroad. I know my test score are VERY WEAK, but i hope the admission comittee can look beyond that.</p>

<p>‘O’ Levels </p>

<p>Math - A
Physics - A
Chemistry - A
Computer Studies - A
Biology - A
German - A
Modern World History (International Relations since 1919) - A
Additional Math - B (I was the only one from my school who appeared for this - not offered in my school)
First Language English - B (I took the native language course although english is my second language. I, along with 10 other students from my school only appeared for this exam).</p>

<p>AS Level
German - A</p>

<p>A level (forecast)
Mathematics - A
Physics - A
Chemistry - A
Computing - A
Business Studies A </p>

<p>Standardised Tests:
SATI - 1990 (680 Math is whats worrying me!)
SAT II - 700,710,720, (Phy, Chem & Math)
(This is one of the most rigorous course in the history of the school).</p>

<p>EC’s are pretty good -
Ive made some presentations in front of the whole school (Stephen King, Teenage Suicide etc)
Nominated for Headboy (faculty) & Social Secretary (elections)
Won Awards in Computer Studies & Chemistry
Won Science Quiz -2nd
Took part in a Model UN </p>

<p>Oh and btw, I am applying for financial aid :(:(:(</p>

2

<p>definitely boost those SATs to atleast 2100 or so.</p>

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<p>Oh and Ive also been a member of various clubs - social, performing arts, business, science etc</p>

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<p>Oh and TOEFL score is 287 if that helps</p>

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<p>It's kind of late to boost the SAT, but I think it's decent, not great, but it will suffice. I don't think I've seen many, or any, applicants from Pakistan, but I may be mistaken. Stop worrying about something that is out of your hands. Just relax. Good Luck.</p>

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<p>oh whoops...didnt realize that he already applied.</p>

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<p>Hi
Thank you alll sooo much for your responses. Btw, i would like to share an email from the admission people from penn</p>

<p>Dear Waleed,</p>

<p>Thank you for your e-mail. The answers to your questions are below.</p>

<p>1.)I retoke my SAT II Math IIC in Jan but also decided to do IC on the same date and i think i performed better on the later. Will the fact that I hadnt taken IC before go against me in the admission decision ?</p>

<p>No, it will not matter. We take the two highest SAT II Subject Test grades (regardless of their order).</p>

<p>2.) I scored a low 1990 on the SAT I. Do you think the fact that I am an international student who does not come from a financially sound background actually hep the admission committee overcome this poor score?</p>

<p>Since we do not have an average yet for the new SAT I tests, your score sound very reasonable. Each admission counselor looks at each application individually when they make their admission decision. Financial Aid is done through the financial aid office and is limited and need-based as well.</p>

<p>3.) Are GCE 'O' Level more important or the 'A' Level?</p>

<p>A Levels are weighted heavier than O Levels. </p>

<p>4.) What are the averages for SAT II subject tests?</p>

<p>There are no average for SAT II subject tests. We take the highest SAT II subject tests and they are your choices.</p>

<p>5.) Should i apply for external loans as part of the financial aid package to increase my chances? I have 2 US Co-signers available. If yes, how much loan is reasonable?</p>

<p>External funding is reccomended since financial aid is limited to international students. The average tuition, fee, room and board for one year at the University is approximately $44,300.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

<p>Sincerely,
Susan Mines
Transfer and International Admissions
University of Pennsylvania</p>

8

<p>O levels are wack.</p>

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<p>wow. im suprised that she answered your questions so directly</p>

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<p>i am not surprised at what she said.....
these responses are ones they gave openly at their chatt sessions also.</p>

<p>As of sats they do accept that it being new aint bad.. but well they stilll see it in the old context too. (outta 1600)..</p>

<p>But then yes sat is ok.. for a 1990 anything nearing 2000 is reasonable .. but needs loads of other factor to get in..
but well a 680 maths being same is slightly less ..</p>

<p>SM</p>

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<p>Wouldnt it be much easier if they used SAT as a qualifier e.g. 1950 and above - go ahead and read the other parts and dont worry about the SAT anymore. :) hehe
It would certainly relieve some of our stress about what score is good and whether we can do better in a second attempt.</p>

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<p>nope...because there is a big difference between a 1990 applicant and a 2350 applicant</p>

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<p>i disagreee....</p>

<p>though there is a diff normally. but sumtimes and more oftn enough there are ppl with low sat1 and otherwise amazing stats..</p>

<p>well a 2350 in sat1 doesnt say anything great other than acquantance though in sat 2 that shud sound awesum.....</p>

<p>SM</p>

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<p>yeah but dont u think that someone whose done, say really well on his AP's n stuff be someone who will do well in college? I mean theres no point if people improve drastically on their second testing e.g. a friend of mine jumped from a 2030 to a 2190 ! lol .. so how is it testing anything if u can improve you "reasoning" skills withing a month?!</p>

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<p>well keep in mind that most high scorers in the SATI also have great scores in SATIIs.</p>

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<p>hehe .. i know im saying this because my SAT's suck and i refuse to believe that im stupid..lol ... btw, bobbobbob what did u get ?</p>

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<p>most have high scores on both .. but there always are exceptions..</p>

<p>what if one has mediocre or low sat1 and amazing high sat2..</p>

<p>which proves that he just may be a bad test taker for these CB tests of SAT1..</p>

<p>Def a gud score means practice but doesnt prove anything.. </p>

<p>SM</p>

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<p>They don't weight the AP scores as heavily as you may think. At an Penn info session, the speaker said that it was just another test on another morning/afternoon. I believe that Penn Admissions Committee views AP scores as a narrow measure of one's knowledge of the subject. I had a couple of 2s and that didn't keep me out.</p>

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<p>well then u cant really judge academic achievement for an international student except standardised tests can you ? (including A level, O level etc) we dont really have term grades n stuff like you guys</p>

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<p>u know the TOEFL can compensate for my weak SAT veral score (620 - my writing is fine (i think) 690) .... but math is worrying me!!!</p>