GPA too low for Penn?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hey all! I'm a rising senior who'll be applying this fall to Penn. My heart is set on Penn and it's been my dream school since early in middle school! My passion lies in Economics and Econometrics so I'll be applying as an aspiring Economics major in the College of Arts and Science while also taking some courses in other schools (correct me if I'm wrong about Penn allowing students to take classes in other schools). </p>

<p>I had a cumulative 4.0 in freshman year, a cumulative 3.96 after sophomore year, and I will now have a 3.92 at the end of junior year. I had a tough time during this year year for 2 reasons: 1.) I should have chosen my courses more carefully and 2.) the death of my grandfather between the end of 1st and beginning of 2nd semester really affected me and prevented me from focusing on my school work. I'm worried about how the downward trend will affect my ED application to CAS Penn.</p>

<p>In addition here are some others aspects of my resume: </p>

<p>SAT: 2330 single sitting
SAT II: 800 Math II, 790 US History, taking Lit in September
AP: Euro (4), USH (?), Calc BC (?), English Lang (?), Physics C: Mech (?) [expecting 5's on all]
Senior Year Course Load: AP Stats, AP Environmental, AP English Lit, AP Gov, AP French 5, Independent Research (I'm working on a financial economics paper), Sales and Marketing 3 (Student Store Manager)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: National Junior Honor Society (Treasurer), National Honor Society (Treasurer), DECA Club (Chapter Executive President), Math Club (Founder and President), Washington Business Week (Company Branch Manager)</p>

<p>Job/Work Experience: King County Library System Administration - IT Services and Business Office Volunteer Intern, Microsoft - Microsoft Intern (Finance and Marketing), Destiny Merchandising - Sales and Marketing Intern (my own start-up alongside Destiny Merchandising to help local clubs, charities and teams get merchandise)</p>

<p>Volunteer/Community Service: Over 300 hours - NHS Tutoring, King County Library System, Eastside Baby Corner (sort and fill clothing orders for impoverished)</p>

<p>State: Washington
School Type: Public, poorly performing
Graduating Class: 280ish
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Asian (Indian)
Income Bracket: 100k</p>

<p>I'd love to have some advice as I know GPA and class rank (unbelievably my school doesn't do weighted rank) are vital points in Ivy apps. Thanks so much for anyone who can help out!</p>

2

<p>I don’t know what to say to you.</p>

<p>3.92 Culm GPA
2330 SAT
800/790 SAT IIs
taking rigorous courses in a poor performing HS</p>

<p>I don’t know whether you’re seriously so out of touch with reality or you’re just using this post to humblebrag. If so, you deserve a dope slap.</p>

<p>If, by chance, you really are flipping out, then go here
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-pennsylvania/1480745-official-university-pennsylvania-class-2017-rd-results-thread-stats-only.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-pennsylvania/1480745-official-university-pennsylvania-class-2017-rd-results-thread-stats-only.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>and compare yourself – then make your own conclusions.</p>

<p>Either way, this post is insufferable.</p>

3

<p>tl;dr gpa is fine.</p>

4

<p>I’m really sorry if I came off that way and as if I was bragging, but I’m being 100% serious. I’m genuinely worried that as an Indian male my GPA isn’t good enough for the Ivy Leagues. The main reason being: I’ve been reading a book called A For Admissions written by an Ivy League admissions officer and it talked about how vital GPA and - in turn and more importantly - class rank are in the admissions process at Ivy League schools. I’m worried that for a class size that I’m in (around 280) that it’ll be really unimpressive considering my school doesn’t weight class rank and many kids may have taken much easier classes and gotten slightly higher GPAs. Again I’m really sorry if I’ve offended anyone, but I figured that this would be the best place to post my concerns considering the amount of people experienced with Penn admissions on this board. :)</p>

5

<p>OH MYYY GODDD ! I have a 3.92 GPA and 2330 SAT, i screwed up my life. Pretty sure I will get rejected from Arizona State and WVU.</p>

<p>Oh a serious note, make sure you are in the top 3% or at least 5.</p>

6

<p>On a serious note your grrades and scores are sufficient to get you considered. You do not need to worry that your GPA is not high enough. It is.</p>

<p>Remember, however, that the review is holistic. You will need to write good essays and have good recommendations. Also your weakness will not be grades/scores. Your weakness is ECs and leadership. They do not stand out. That’s why essays and recommendations will be important for you. </p>

<p>Also remember not to get your heart set on any one school. All of the ivys are a crap shoot. Some kids will perfect scores do not get in. Others get in becasue they bring something to the potential student body.</p>

7

<p>Thank you all for the advice and reassurance (regardless of the cynicism haha). I definitely intend on spending my summer working on my research and college essays, and I already have one fantastic recommendation down. I certainly don’t plan on setting my heart on one university, but I do intend on applying ED to Penn so we’ll see how it goes. Thanks again everyone!</p>

8

<p>Oh my god…I recognize all the organizations you mentioned…you must live near me…</p>