Do I have any chance for UPenn ED?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

UW 3.79 W 4.18

SAT 2020 (Will retake and hopefully get 2250+)

AP Scores:
AP Chinese 5
AP Music Theory 4
AP World History 4
AP Environmental Science 4
AP Psychology 3

I know my stats are pretty low Penn but here is the reason why: I moved to USA three years ago from China and technically speaking I’m still an English learner.

I took some of the most rigorous courses at my school, include AP sciences,'AP world history, and honors European literature. Those classes are really hard for me and no matter how hard I study I can only get B+ in some of the courses. I don’t know if colleges will understand I worked really hard for that 3.79, but since my school is really competitive and everyone has good grade, I’m afraid I will be compared with other students from my school.

Senior course load: Calculus, AP Physics, AP Government, H-Economics, AP Art History, English IV, Chorus, Yoga

School type: Public high school in CA (Ranked top 10)

Will major in East Asian Studies.

Honors and Awards:
AP Scholar with Distinction
Principal’s Honor Roll
Piano Level 10 certificate
CPR Certificate

EC:
Chorus for four years.
Volunteer at Disocvery Science Center for three years.
Community Service commissioner and Publicity of Asian Education Project.
Tutor at Chinese School.
Participated in a multi-cultural film festival and modeled for Qipao (traditional Chinese dress) show.
Published book about Ancient Chinese mythologies.
Write journals for an online website to introduce my school to newcomers.
Fundraising for a local orphanage in China.
Took Sociology and Psychology at CC.
Self-studied Japanese, Cultural Anthropology, personal finance, East Asian Architecture.

Attended Cornell Summer College and took Social Psychology. Will get a letter of rec from my Psychology professor at Cornell.

I know none of my grades and scores stand out, and that UPenn is probably a reach school for everyone, but I just wanna know should I even bother to apply? Do I have any chance at all??

2

I do think you have a chance if you improve that test score. I would also try to improve your gpa this semester, if you can. It is a little below average, but an up trend may help. Your essays will have to be strong. You should have a great story though, so I think you have a shot. Since you are still learning English, I would be sure to have an English teacher edit them and correct any technical grammar or punctuation. Good luck!

3

@Much2learn thank you for your encouraging words!

4

@Dilidili Just based on your profile right now, I would say you are towards the lower end in terms of chances but your scores are not too low to make it possible for you to get in. Also the fact that you came from China relatively recently and had to adjust to a new country culture and language,educational system, will justify why you do not have perfect grades and scores. You are not out of the feasible range for admission so if you really want penn i say go ahead and apply. Even if you do not get in, it will be better than not applying at all and then wondering whether you would have had a chance and regretting not applying. Try to improve your scores a little bit and focus a lot on your essays. Good luck!

5

@Penn95 thank you! I’ll definitely try to raise my SAT.