Do I have any chance whatsoever of getting into Penn?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
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<p>So, my everything is not that great. Not at all. And I know that, but I'm hoping that somewhere I can work in my explanations as to why.
So, my explanation for not being amazing is that I have grown up in poverty. I am a german immigrant, my dad was in the military (too Iraq tours). My parents drank and yelled at each other all throughout my childhood. I barely had money for clothing, much less violin lessons or some other **** like that. So I mean I know its not an excuse but I want to explain it somehoww.. Any tips for fitting that in?
Also, I go to a small school in the middle of nowhere with maybe 200 kids in my class and an average sat reading score of like 420..
Anyway..</p>

<p>I just finished junior year and so far:
W GPA: 4.2
UW GPA: 3.95</p>

<p>SAT score: 2130
Math: 620 Reading: 800 Writing: 720
This was my first time taking it, and I'm hoping that when I take it again in Nov, the math will increase. I doubt I can get much higher than a 690 though.
I've yet to take SAT II, will probably take Biology and Literature in Oct. Expecting high on both, hopefully.</p>

<p>Classes: I took 3 AP classes and 2 DE classes this year [All As for final grades]
I will be taking 2 AP classes and 3 DE classes next year</p>

<p>EC: [Yeah, this list is pretty pathetic]</p>

<p>Forensics [(its a public speaking club)]: 9-12, Captain 11-12
Drama Club: 9-12; Participated in school plays 9-12 [Had leading role in 10th, stage manager in 11th]
French club 9-12; Club secretary 11th
FBLA 11th-12th
Virtual Virgina Social Studies Club 11-12
[I was on the Drill Team [JROTC] in 9th grade.. But pretty sure I shouldn't put that..]</p>

<p>Honors/Awards: [Also pathetic]
Selected to attend: Girls State '10; elected City Commonwealth Attorney
Forensics: 9th: Districts 3rd; 10th: Districts 2nd, Regionals 3rd; 11th: Districts 1st, Regionals 2nd [You can see improvement at least lol]
I'm hoping to get a spot on the SCA.. Maybe Secretary or something...</p>

<p>Work exp:
Theme Park worker
Daycare worker
Will probably start working on a farm soon too
[I have always held a job since I was 15, often times having two jobs at once which will hopefully be the case next week]</p>

<p>Volunteer:
56 hours from babysitting for a single mother [Does this count?]
Maybe 5 at a daycare
So far 4 at a nursing home, but hopefully at least 24 by end of the summer</p>

<p>So, yeah. Please be brutally honest with me. I'm not too sure I should even go to a university at this point, but I want to.</p>

2

<p>Most of your stuff is better than mine, and I believe wholeheartedly I stand a chance of getting in. Your ECs and Awards are not pathetic. Impressive? No… but they are still good. Penn places a lot of importance not on the amount of ECS or awards, but on the commitment you have placed in the EC and in the honor of the award. If there is an EC you have been really committed to, then emphasize that in your application. Your math score needs to come up at least 50 points, and post your AP and SAT II scores as you get them. Also, what APs are you planning on taking this year?</p>

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<p>AP government and ap environmental science</p>

4

<p>I would say that Penn is a little bit of a reach, but definitely still worth applying. It also depends on how many APs your school offers…</p>

5

<p>My school offers 3 AP classes lol. Two of the APs I’ve taken/am going to take I have to online.</p>

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<p>Well again, Penn might be a bit of reach but still you definitely have a chance of getting in. Taking those extra APs definitely shows the initiative Penn is looking for!</p>

7

<p>Thank you :)</p>

8

<p>There’s another option, and it may work better for you, but Penn won’t tell you about it. </p>

<p>Finish high school. Keep taking hard courses. Work and save as much money as you can. </p>

<p>When you graduate, move to Philadelphia. Bring those stellar letters of recommendation from teachers and employers. Get a room in a student house. Find a full-time job, preferably at Penn or its health system. </p>

<p>Now look at the Penn website for LPS. It’s the school for working adults, and it gives exactly the same B.A. that I got from the day school. Classes and teachers are excellent, and you’ll probably like your classmates better than you’d like most day students. You’re supposed to have been out of school for a few years, but go talk with an advisor. Explain your home situation, need to get away, etc. If you’re a Penn employee who gets free tuition as a benefit, mention that. Ask for permission to take one course, and do well. Go from there. </p>

<p>LPS doesn’t play the admission games. They need students and spend lots of money to advertise for them. You only compete with yourself. If they see you as a mature adult, rather than a spoiled princess more interested in a college social life, you should get in. You still can join an activity or play a club sport. You’ll be earning, not borrowing. It’ll take longer but will give you a more solid experience. And LPS graduates go to good graduate and professional schools. </p>

<p>GOOD LUCK!</p>

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<p>If you’re an LPS student, your transcript says College of Liberal and Professional Studies, but it’s still a wonderful option for some people.</p>

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<h1>2</h1>

<p>sarvarox12
Junior Member</p>

<p>Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 78 I am afraid I did this chance threads thing last year and it was a totally useless thing. No one except the adcom can tell you whether you will get in. So dont bother…if anyone says yes you will get in, dont flatter yourself and if anyone says no dont get demoralized. Nobody knows a clue and anyone who thinks they do are kidding themselves. My top two choices were Stanford and Penn (Wharton). There was this instance on CC where I had people convinced that I was in at Stanford and on the Penn thread people were frankly discouraging about my chances at Wharton. (Even though they are both equal schools in their own fields) Want to know what happened? I got rejected straight by Stanford and accepted with flying colours at Wharton (Got into a scholar society). Take my advice, relax and stop creating chance threads. Put more effort into your application or if you are a CC fan, then use this forum to obtain knowledge on more important things.</p>

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<p>Agree with sarvarox. Your stats look great to me and I think you have a very solid chance. But getting input about chances from other students in the same boat as you probably won’t tell you much of anything. Use time to think about your essays, etc. Good luck…</p>