Freshman and Sophomore Years of High School

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Is it still possible to get accepted to the University of Pennsylvania (or any other Ivy League university) with my first two years of high school? Here is a list of things during my freshman and sophomore years of high school:</p>

<p>Freshman Year</p>

<p>Academics</p>

<ul>
<li>Two Honors Courses (Honors Chemistry and Honors Geometry) </li>
<li>Two Electives (Multimedia Design and Concert Band) </li>
<li>Maximum Number of Credits </li>
<li>Honors Community Service (50 Community Service Hours) </li>
<li>GPA - 2.95</li>
</ul>

<p>School Sports</p>

<ul>
<li>None</li>
</ul>

<p>Student Government</p>

<ul>
<li>Elected Ninth Grade Class Council Officer</li>
</ul>

<p>Extracurricular</p>

<ul>
<li>Volunteer at the Children’s Section of the Local Library </li>
<li>Judge in the Lower School Science Fair </li>
<li>Performed in the School Spring Drama Production </li>
<li>Member of Church Youth Group </li>
<li>Member of the Chess Team </li>
<li>Host at an School Information Session </li>
<li>Wrote and Acted for the School Drama Festival </li>
<li>Summer Volunteer at a Hospital</li>
</ul>

<p>Sophomore Year (so far)</p>

<p>Academics</p>

<ul>
<li>Two Honors Courses (Honors Biology and Honors Algebra II) </li>
<li>One AP Course (AP World History) </li>
<li>Two Electives (Introduction to Computer Science and Concert Band) </li>
<li>Maximum Number of Credits </li>
<li>Honors Community Service (50 Community Service Hours) </li>
<li>GPA - 3.2 (as of the end of last quarter)</li>
</ul>

<p>School Sports</p>

<ul>
<li>Junior Varsity Cross Country </li>
<li>Junior Varsity Swimming </li>
<li>Junior Varsity Tennis</li>
</ul>

<p>Student Government</p>

<ul>
<li>Elected Tenth Grade Class Council Officer </li>
<li>Elected Student Council Secretary (Highest Student Council Position Available to a Sophomore)</li>
</ul>

<p>Extracurricular</p>

<ul>
<li>Volunteering at the Children’s Section of the Local Library </li>
<li>Performed in the Fall and Spring Drama Productions </li>
<li>Member of the Technical Crews for the Fall and Spring Drama Productions </li>
<li>Member of Church Youth Group </li>
<li>Active Junior State of America Member </li>
<li>Model United Nations Delegate </li>
<li>Wrote and Acted for the School Drama Festival </li>
<li>Staff Writer for the School Newspaper </li>
<li>Member of the Community Service Board </li>
<li>Member of the Chess Club </li>
<li>Member of the Future Business Leaders of America Chapter </li>
<li>Helped with the School Toy Doy Drive </li>
<li>Summer Volunteer at a Hospital </li>
<li>Host at School Open Houses</li>
</ul>

2

<p>You have to wait until your senior year to apply, you should know that. Also, a 2.95 and 3.2 won’t get you into an ivy. I’m sorry, but with grades like that Penn most likely won’t be possible.</p>

3

<p>In addition to the list above, in my freshman year, I was a member of the Chess Team and the Ultimate Frisbee club. Also, in the summer between my freshman and sophomore years, I volunteered in a hospital’s messenger department. This year, I am also a member of the Chess Club, a member of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter, a host at multiple school open houses, and I also helped in the School Toy Drive. Over the summer, I intend on attending the Navy Sports Camp for swimming and go to Nicaragua for a mission trip. Also, I received a 184 on the PSAT.</p>

4

<p>I don’t think you quite understand what Penn (or any Ivy League for that matter) is looking for.</p>

<p>Firstly, IF they were to accept anybody younger than a senior, then that person needs to have cured cancer or something equally grand in magnitude. </p>

<p>Secondly, counting off more bullet points in a laundry list of ECs will not appeal you more to UPenn. As of now, you need leadership positions in the ones most important to you to solidify your application. As well as taking leadership roles, you also need to go further with your ECs. Just passively participating is not enough; you need to strive for excellence in whatever you are doing. Saying that you helped here and there, is part of group Y and group Z not only doesn’t add to your application, it bogs it down entirely.</p>

<p>Thirdly, I also don’t see much focus when it comes to your ECs. You need to justify in your application how all of your ECs tie into you as a person. I just see a smattering of different activities undertaken by an overzealous student. I know because I was once that student too. My resume is still a wild melee of activities, but I have since narrowed it down to four important ECs that I have top leadership roles in. Remember, don’t do an activity with the sole intent of getting into an Ivy League; yes, of course it will help you and you should be aware of that. But Ivy Leagues look for students who are passionate about what they do, not students who will do anything to get into an Ivy League. </p>

<p>And As dfree mentioned, your GPA is below the standards for any Ivy League. Get that up to at least a 3.5/3.7 UW. </p>

<p>To get a sense of what Ivy Leagues are looking for, check previous years’ Decisions threads. If you have accomplished the same or more than those accepted to Ivy Leagues in the past years, then go for it. But by your post, it seems you still have a ways to go.</p>

<p>You still have two years and perhaps by your senior year, you will have done some introspection and know more clearly which direction you want to go. Don’t assume Ivy because everybody and their mothers are applying–know why you are applying. There are great universities besides Ivy Leagues and you may find that you are a better fit elsewhere! Don’t coop yourself in a Ivy League shaped box!</p>

<p>If your heart is still set on Penn, then work your butt off and you will be rewarded! </p>

<p>If you’re still with me, thanks for reading that monstrosity of a post :)</p>

5

<p>Thank you for the advice. Also, I meant if I was on track for Penn, not whether they would accept me before I graduated.</p>

6

<p>… Bump…</p>

7

<p>Not unless you get a great ACT with your 3.2 GPA. I have a 3.35 and counting this semesters 4.25 I’ll have a 3.525. That paired with a 34 ACT and leadership positions, I doubt i’ll get in…</p>

8

<p>dont worry. dont let mean people put you down! im a sohpmore too, with similar grades and stuff. grades are not the only thing that goes into deciding if you are accepted or not. there are still sats, essays, interviews, etc. keep on bumping up your grades as you did from 9th to 10th. </p>

<p>good luck!</p>

9

<p>

</p>

<p>I don’t believe myself and the other poster saying OP won’t get in are mean, we are simply practical.</p>

10

<p>“dont worry. dont let mean people put you down! im a sohpmore too, with similar grades and stuff. grades are not the only thing that goes into deciding if you are accepted or not. there are still sats, essays, interviews, etc. keep on bumping up your grades as you did from 9th to 10th.”</p>

<p>Never Forget—your transcript (list of classes taken/grades earned) is THE MOST important document in your application…Penn and all of the Ivy League admissions representatives will stress this time and time again!</p>