<p>I'm a rising senior and I really want to apply to UPenn which I have basically fallen in love with.</p>
<p>My counselour ranked Penn as a far reach for me, and I would really like to apply early to increase my chances of applying, but my (asian) parents are ironically insisting that I do not apply to ivy league schools.</p>
<p>Their arguement is that they think I am not good enough to go to these schools, and they want me to apply early to tufts, where I took a credit course for (got an A in economics) and have a connections (cello teacher is prominent faculty there). </p>
<p>They have also encouraged me , or in my skewed opinion, discouraged me to apply to other schools i am in love with, such as brown and cornell.</p>
<p>Better chance of getting in at tufts vs. long shot at my dream school?</p>
<p>Sadly, your parents may be right. If your counselor told you that Penn would be a far reach it probably is a far reach. Brown and Cornell are very difficult to get into like Penn, and Tufts isn't easy either. I would suggest that you apply early to Tufts and RD to the others. The ED for Tufts shows you have interest, and reinforces your connections with the school, which increases your chances. As you have three Ivies on your list it is just a matter of luck to get into those.</p>
<p>You'll get more informed opinions if you list your stats and ECs. However since it seems that you live in the Boston area, you are at a disadvantage since there are so many outstanding students from your area applying to top colleges.</p>
<p>As an above poster said, Tufts isn't significantly easier to get into than Penn. And if you're from Massachusetts, getting into Tufts is significantly more competitive. Do a list of pro's and con's. And don't apply ED anywhere you don't think you want to commit to.</p>
<p>Oh, of course, ED assuming you are fully committed to that school which I don't think you are at this moment, and RD assuming you get rejected ED...always have those apps ready!</p>
<p>honestly, this sounds ridiculous. your parents should NOT be stopping you from applying to these colleges. you love them, especially UPenn. There is no harm in applying and i think you need to tell your parents that you have to take the chance and apply for YOURSELF, no matter if youll get in or not. </p>
<p>just take the risk, youll be glad you did it. dont let your parents discourage you. Also, if you dont want to go to Tufts, dont apply ED. you'll be sorry if you get in and you wish you were going to UPenn or something. </p>
<p>Tell them you will apply to the schools they want you to go to, but you also want to apply to a couple of reach schools, just to see what happens. Offer to pay the fees yourself.</p>
<p>Yes, I agree that you should offer to pay yourself for the schools that your GC and parents feel are too reachy for you to apply to.</p>
<p>If your GC thinks the schools are too reachy for you, I don't blame your parents for not wanting you to apply and waste their money in app fees, but if those are your dream schools, then be willing to fund your applications. Sometimes dreams do come true.</p>
<p>9- 3.0
10- 3.3
11- 3.8
12- taking as many aps that we are allowed to take at my school.
i have taken the most rigorous courseload offered at my school.</p>
<p>acapella leader, principal cellist, 4-year varisty lacrosse ( 3 year starter), 3 years model un, presient of russian club</p>
<p>M:770
CR:710
W:700
SATII's: i ahve 4 tests all above 770</p>
<p>just to give a sense of my school, the avg gpa over the past 4 years for accepted students at
UPENN early:3.42
UPENN RD: 3.56
Tufts ed: 3.25
Tufts RD: 3.48</p>
<p>Apply to Penn man, you'll be fine. Your ECs outweigh your grades, and even if they don't, its better to apply somewhere that you really want to go.</p>
<p>I was in the same situation before I had a heart-to-heart with my parents (asian as well). Don't apply somewhere, get in, then have regrets forever</p>
<p>It seems like your parents are concerned that Penn is a big academic stretch for you and you might not succeed there. I don't think that should be a concern. I do think that your counselor is right about Penn being a far reach, but that in itself isn't a reason not to apply.</p>
<p>Unless you really need to use your ED option elsewhere, I'd suggest you apply to Penn. If you get in, don't worry - you will be able to survive academically. If you don't get in (unfortunately, a lot more likely) at least you won't regret not having tried.</p>
<p>It looks like there is an ED advantage at Tufts - your counselor should be able to give you an idea of your chances there. If you look really good for RD admissions at Tufts, then there's not much reason to skip applying to Penn.</p>
<p>In general, I only recommend using ED for dream schools, absolute first choice schools, or at worst a school that's tied for first choice. People do apply to lower choice schools ED to try to gain an advantage, but I don't like that strategy. If the ED school accepts the applicant, there are bound to be regrets about potentially lost opportunities.</p>
<p>danleeeee, if you're in love with Penn, definitely apply ED because you don't want to be think "what if?" it's my first choice too and initially, my parents weren't so excited about it but they totally support my decision now. And I'm Asian too, so i understand where you're coming from but it's you who's going to college, not your parents or your GC. GCs, at least at my school, tend to tell everyone their dream schools are far reaches for them, but many still manage to get acceptances.</p>
<p>I guess I am hopelessly out of date, because your stats look pretty darn good to me. Your grades started out a bit low, but the nice upward trend should count for something, and your test scores are great, as are your ECs. I think you should apply to all the schools you are interested in. I hope things haven't become so competitive that you'd really have no chance.</p>