<p>Hi, I'm a junior currently deciding between applying to Duke University and University of Pennsylvania as an Early Decision applicant for the Premedicine program. </p>
<p>Salutatorian at small public school in PA
Mixed race: Asian and Caucasian
Most rigorous routes taken
Taking all AP/Honors classes available to juniors; plan to continue with senior year
A few College in High School (credit) classes, including one that I had to complete a semester's worth of work and earn at least a B in the summer to be eligible
No official SAT yet, but got around 1950 without studying; currently studying with Gruber's 2400
PSAT 189 (ouch!)
GPA (Freshman and Sophomore): 3.75 UW
GPA of first quarter of Junior: 3.9 UW
Attended the University of Pittsburgh Health Career Scholars Academy, formerly the Pennsylvania Governor's School for Healthcare before funding was cut, this summer
Inducted into National Honor Society
Many ECs and awards, including Secretary of Science Olympiad, 11 Science Olympiad medals since 6th grade which include State and First Place medals, and, after auditions, possibly Captain of Dance Team
Highly involved with academic and artistic clubs, but no athletics
Volunteer at local hospital to assist with patients</p>
<p>Also, for my essays I am considering two topics that I believe could be considered "hooks":</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Being half Chinese, where I was raised pretty much Chinese, but living without diversity - somewhat of an identity crisis where I don't feel like I belong in my community</p></li>
<li><p>How I had cancer when I was younger and was diagnosed with other inflictions that have altered my lifestyle with outcomes, appointments, treatments (one is incurable and uncommon), etc. but want to be a physician to give back to the medical community</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I still have to visit UPenn's campus, but I did visit Duke's and fell in love with the campus, people, and atmosphere. However, I know that a comparatively high number of people who attended the Academy, past and present, I did get into Penn RD. I would love to attend either one of these institutions but want to apply to the one that would give me the highest chance ED. Or if you have other suggestions, please speak up! I'd be glad for any responses :)</p>
<p>You might as well hear this now, but given your grades and test scores so far, you aren’t getting in either one. You need to step back and take a more realistic look at yourself and the schools you can get in. </p>
<p>There are plenty of great school you’ll qualify for, but those two aren’t going to be on the list, unless something changes drastically this year.</p>
<p>MrMom, note that the OP is currently salutatorian. That’s going to be more important than the UW GPA, which will be considered in context.</p>
<p>OP, you’ve not visited UPenn yet, so it’s too early to ask the question. If you visit and love both schools equally above all else, you need to look at the money piece of the puzzle. How much can your family afford to pay? Have your parents run the Net Price Calculators for both schools? Could they afford to send you to these schools without incurring any debt? And is your family’s situation “ordinary” enough so that the NPC is more accurate (e.g. no divorce, one household, no one owns a business or real estate as investment property)?</p>
<p>Since you’re considering medical school, it’s important to keep your debt load at zero or as low as possible for undergrad. </p>
<p>I personally feel that ED should only be used when there’s one school that is above all your favorite. If you can’t decide between two (or more) schools, to me that indicates that you shouldn’t be using ED. My two cents. :)</p>
<p>I would visit Penn before putting it on the ED list. Very different campus from Duke, so if you fell in love with Duke’s campus, people and such, it’s hard to see you falling equally in live with Penn.</p>
<p>I also agree somewhat with Mrmom. Both schools will be high reaches. Choose schools based on your current grades and scores. Yes, you plan on scoring higher on the SAT and maintaining higher grades, but if you find schools now that are matches, they will become safeties once your stats improve. Good luck.</p>
<p>Three things: 1) your SATs need to be much higher. 2) Essays are not hooks. Being a 6’ 10" shooting guard is a hook. 3) There is no premed program. There are premed requirements which can be fulfilled at virtually any school.</p>
<p>Visit both and choose the one you like better and would rather attended. No good applying to a school early if its not your top choice because you have to go if you get in if it is ED.</p>
<p>You have nearly a year to decide. A lot can change in a year… heck, a lot can change in a month. Don’t worry about ED now, focus on building the list of possibilities.</p>