Final Chances Thread (updated): Wharton ED/Class of 2011

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys,
My mind is set despite the odds and this will be my final chances thread, and it's updated to make it as accurate as possible.
A couple notes from last time: my GPA is rather low, but please assume my school does not hand out free 100s. I realize I have a lack of business-related ECs besides a few small things, but tips about what's left that I can feasibly change would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone in advance for your comments and good luck to all Wharton applicants (why must there be so few spots?!).</p>

<p>College List
Penn (Early Decision)
Cornell (CALS - AEM)
UMich (Ross)
NYU (Stern)
Georgetown (McDonough)
Texas at Austin (McCombs, Business Honors program)
Carnegie Mellon
Indiana at Bloomington (Kelley)</p>

<hr>

<p>GPA: ~91 unweighted, 94 weighted on a 100 point scale
Class Rank: School does not rank. My GPA compared to others is within the top 10% of the class
Class Size: 350 students</p>

<p>SAT I: 2360 composite (took it 3 times): 800 Verbal, 800 Math, 760 Writing
2340 (highest individual score): 800 V, 800 M, 740 W
SAT IIs: 800 US History, 780 Chemistry, 740 Math IIc</p>

<p>AP scores (received so far):
5: Chemistry, English (Language & Composition), US History, Calculus AB, Macroeconomics
4: Biology, Microeconomics</p>

<p>Projected # AP courses taken: 12
Projected # AP scores that will eventually be received: 12</p>

<p>Asian-American male in family with both parents possessing graduate degrees, probably will not qualify for any financial aid packages at all. Non-legacy, no connections to Penn.</p>

<p>Central New Jersey HS
Type: Public/Very Competitive, but non-magnet (Top SAT scores in state of New Jersey)</p>

<p>ECs
- Long-time alto saxophone player on several levels (not at all exceptional though)
- Treasurer of National Honor Society
- NHS member (11,12)
- Science Olympiad team member
- Founded Web Design & Development Club
- 300+ hours of community service @ Feed the Children warehouse
- Various amounts of time put in developing an assortment of sites (non-profit): other school clubs, charitable organizations, major contributor to Veteran's Memorial site (can get a nice written letter if needed)
- Regular involvement with FIRST Robotics and Amnesty International, but no leadership there</p>

<p>Jobs:
- Part time job junior, senior year freelancing as Web Designer
- Started Web Hosting/Design company Freshman year
- Research Assistant at private consulting company during the summer</p>

<p>Possible application makers/breakers:
- 3rd place medal at NJ State Science Olympiad, 2nd place & 5th place awards regionally
- Several awards from Johns Hopkins University starting from middle school for high test scores
- Received credit/certification for several distance learning courses (college level) from JHU
- AP Scholar w/ Distinction
- National Merit Semi-Finalist (PSATs), Finalist-to-be
- New Jersey Governor's School of International Studies 2006 Finalist
- Attended Penn Pre-College Program, took Intro to Macroeconomics and Law & Society for credit
- Will be able to get at least a few good words in from my Law & Society professor at Penn this summer for the admissions committee</p>

<p>Application:
Teacher Recommendations: One (Economics) will be spectacular and rave about me, while the other (English) will say that I have great writing ability and talent but it may not say the best things leadership-wise (really didn't like the class that much)</p>

<p>Essay: Expect to write pretty good ones. I will focus on how a love for basketball and technology from youth turned into business-related applications in life, and how in the future I could possibly be interested in Sports Management among other business fields.</p>

<p>Transcript:
Freshman Year
English 9 Honors
Algebra II Honors
World History
French III
Physics Honors
Concert Band</p>

<p>Summer: Rutgers Preparatory School (Chemistry course taken for credit)</p>

<p>Sophomore Year
English 10 Honors
Precalculus Honors
US History Part 1/2 AP
French IV
Chemistry AP
Symphonic Band</p>

<p>Summer: Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth summer camp: took Biology (non-credit)</p>

<p>Junior Year
English 11 AP (Language & Composition)
Calculus AB AP
US History Part 2/2 AP
French V Honors
Biology AP
AP Economics</p>

<p>Summer: Penn Pre-College Program</p>

<p>Senior Year
Environmental Science AP
English 12 AP (Literature & Composition)
Calculus BC AP
French AP
Statistics AP
(Early dismissal)</p>

<p>Much thanks again to anyone who read that.</p>

2

<p>you have as good a chance as any other asian male from the mid atlantic. for your recs, dont have teachers whos calsses you did well in (english). have teachers who you know on a more personal level who can say more than "this student is smart and talented."</p>

3

<p>This board is full of Wharton wannabees. You're better than most stats and EC wise. The Asian thing kills though, so many Asian kids want Wharton. 50/50.</p>

4

<p>I disagree bobby. I just think only the asian kids aspiring for wharton think about going to a message board and asking random people what their chances are. i dont think its as bad as you think.</p>

5

<p>Thanks bobby for the input, and the asian thing is true.
But like sushicutter said, hopefully everyone won't look the same in terms of the bigger picture because CC posters are often top students.</p>

6

<p>bump...anyone else?</p>

7

<p>I would apply RD if you want to increase your chances.</p>

<p>*look up another post that I posted on this topic. </p>

<p>The ED pool will be filled with competitive people like you (stats and all). If you apply RD I think you will be a "standout" among the applicants.</p>

<p>This is just my 2 cents.</p>

8

<p>Wharton411, I am already decided on this issue and none of the nonsense that some of these kids who are probably in my grade and trying to increase their own chances are posting is going to affect my ED plans.
So please refrain from this RD suggestion stuff. I have read way too much on the issue myself and personally compiled and compared statistics taking into account field competitiveness, legacies, and athletes.
Anyone with comments for chances on my college list?</p>

9

<p>A bump... any thoughts CCers?</p>