<p>So I'm currently a sophomore. Last year I didn't get all A's but this year I'm doing a lot better and I plan on continuing getting all A's throughout the rest of high school. I'm in a pre-IB program, and will be starting IB next year. I'm currently taking an AP class with the rest of my classes being honors level. I'm planning on taking 2 more AP classes and an honors class over the summer through virtual school. I'm a member in Model UN(which I'm running for an officer position in, and plan on running for President next year), Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and I do Future Problem Solving and Community Problem Solving(which is basically a community service project). I'm also going to start volunteering at the hospital soon.</p>
<p>What are my chances for getting accepted to the University of Pennsylvania?</p>
<p>By the way I was also thinking of applying Early Decision, is it worth it?</p>
<p>As of now your record looks good. Do you do anything at school that extends outside of the classroom? For example, you take high school band and then participate in your local orchestra etc…</p>
<p>I think it wouldn’t hurt to apply ED. I did and I got in.</p>
<p>Among the 4 colleges at Penn, which one do you plan on applying?</p>
<p>College of Arts & Science.
I’m on the competition team for Model UN, Mu Alpha Theta, Community Problem Solving, and Future Problem Solving, does that count?</p>
<p>I forgot to say that I also tutor math, and during the summer I volunteer at church.</p>
<p>Those are good ECs but make sure you can discuss/talk about them should you get an interview. I also would suggest that you find how some of the ECs correlate to what you want to pursue at Penn. These are just my thoughts, but then again I’m no admissions officer.</p>
<p>What you’ve shared so far sounds good. Curious as to what your comment of “didn’t get all A’s” really means though. A “B” or two shouldn’t be a problem, but if all B’s/C’s first year than that’s a problem! Can you share, as well as how your first part of soph grades went?</p>
<p>Leadership in your activities both in/out of your school seems to be key to UPenn admissions counselors too, as well as they seeing a passion for learning and specific interest in UPenn.</p>
<p>In summary you should have, and I’m sure I’m repeating a lot of what is in other threads:
—Solid grades (almost all A’s or better)
—Challenging courseload (fair amount of honors, AP, IB if available)
—Volunteer for something for 2-3+ of your HS years
—Some leadership positions in clubs are key, versus just being a member
—Longer term timeframe in clubs, work, etc are better than many activities for 1 year each
—Solid essays on your app…spend a good amount of time on them to fine-tune
—Strong ACT or SAT scores…UPenn will take either or both but wants to see ALL the scores even though they claim they’ll only use best.<br>
—Better chance of admit %-wise if apply ED versus RD</p>
<p>As fyi our son will be incoming freshman at UPenn next year in Wharton school, specifically Huntsman program. If it helps to see what other’s status might be, he had 3.9 UW / 4.3W GPA, 34 ACT, President of several high profile HS clubs and good activity in several others, good volunteer focus, 3 AP’s as HS junior (5,5,4 scores), 5 AP classes currently,rock solid essays, part-time work throughout HS, top 5% of class, and 780/720 on the two SAT-2’s he took. Started/ran own business for several years too. Didn’t take the SAT at all. His B/B+ grades (2 I think?) were both freshman year so well in the past. Oh, and he applied ED. Had zero hooks to take advantage of (URM, sports, first gen…).</p>
<p>In this thread: “If I get good grades, take a challenging courseload, continue with good ECs, and apply early decision, do I have a shot at getting into Penn?”</p>
<p>If you really have to start a new thread on CC to have this incredibly common sense question seriously answered, I’m not quite sure if college work in general, never mind that of Penn’s, is right for you.</p>
<p>In any event, you can’t seriously ask us to chance you or whatever unless you provide actual stats and actual activities. Simply having a plan to do stuff for your app is pretty much meaningless - come back when you’re a junior/senior with an actual application laid out.</p>
<p>By “didn’t get all A’s” I mean that I got 3 B’s; this year so far I’ve gotten straight A’s. All the classes I’ve taken so far in high school have been honors level classes that are pre-requisites to get into the IB program at our school. I believe I have a 4.6 weighted GPA right now.</p>
<p>Keep it up and be careful to hopefully not get additional B’s. Get involved in some activities that you enjoy too, and ideally leadership positions on those clubs will follow eventually.</p>
<p>You’re in the running.</p>