<p>Hello everyone. I've been reading this site for a couple of weeks and decided to join in order to get some more information on Penn. I really want to go to Penn, and I will be applying ED. Any help you all could give me is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I guess my first request is chances of getting in. I'll keep my list short to just the important details. If you need clarification on anything, like ECs or a class schedule for next year, just ask, because I'm being brief. </p>
<p>Sex: Male
Ethnicity: Black
State: IL</p>
<p>ACT: 34
GPA (u): 3.78
GPA (w): 4.50
Class Rank: 10/1,016*
School Type: Public (very competitive though)</p>
<p>Extra-Curriculars:
Youth & Government
Business Professionals of America
Student Council
Spanish Honors Society
Face-to-Face: Minority Mentors
Intramural Basketball
200+ hours of volunteering (tutoring, home for transitional families, nursing home)
Private Tutoring </p>
<p>I guess my second request would be advice on where to apply: Wharton or the College. Personally, I feel like the College is better for me because I want to study History and probably double-major in Economics. Problem is my mother is hung up on this Wharton thing because it is the best undergrad Business school in the country. Economics at this point seems a little more intellectually stimulating and I've heard that Wharton is NOT an Econ degree. I've checked the classes and this seems to be the case, but if someone could elaborate please do so. I argue that a degree in Econ from CAS is not to far of a step-down from Wharton, especially considering I want go to law school after my four years. So if anyone is out there, please help this confused young man.</p>
<p>I don't know about whether you'll get in or not, but I would say you should definitely NOT apply to Wharton if that is not where you want to go. Wharton is good primarily if you want to be a business person. The econ department in the college is much more theoretical and seems like it would be a much better fit for your interests. Don't go to Wharton just because you think its better.</p>
<p>Thanks for replying. That was my argument but my mom is thinking in terms of job potential. Getting a degree from CAS in Econ (I believe a top 10 program) wouldn't hurt me much from a job perspective, would it (if I was accepted)?</p>
<p>Show this to your mom: <a href="http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2005/04/27/Opinion/Look-Before.You.Leap-2148060.shtml?norewrite200612071323&sourcedomain=www.dailypennsylvanian.com%5B/url%5D">http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2005/04/27/Opinion/Look-Before.You.Leap-2148060.shtml?norewrite200612071323&sourcedomain=www.dailypennsylvanian.com</a></p>
<p>
[Quote]
Forget all the glitzy surface attributes of a Wharton degree and think substance. Answer the same question that your College adviser will ask you when you talk about majors: What field of study makes you pick up a book out of curiosity and read until you pass out? If it's not anything business-related, then you obviously don't belong in Wharton. And don't confuse an interest in economics with something like OPIM or accounting. I could read my econ textbooks till dawn without a yawn, but my Accounting 102 textbook made me downright narcoleptic. If you like econ, stick with econ.
[/Quote]
</p>
<p>Thank you quaker10, that is definitely something I'll show my mother.</p>
<p>Meant to put this in the preceeding post: anyone else with advice or comments on chances? It would be great if someone could tell me what to expect from the essays.</p>
<p>Chi-Town represent</p>
<p>If your gpa was a little higher than you'd have a better chance. </p>
<p>Make sure you realize whether you want to learn more about Business or Economics.</p>
<p>Here's the incoming class student profile:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.admissionsug.upenn.edu/applying/profile.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.admissionsug.upenn.edu/applying/profile.php</a></p>
<p>It shows that Blacks make up 9% of the enrolling class</p>
<p>"If your gpa was a little higher than you'd have a better chance. "</p>
<p>What? The guy's already in the top 1% in a competitive high school.</p>
<p>Chi-town, you'll be fine. Your ACT, GPA, and rank are more than good enough. You should strive for greater leadership roles in your EC, and write strong essays on why you are a good fit for the school about which you are passionate. Both you and your mom should remember that your life is yours to lead.</p>
<p>I have some decent leadership things, I was just being brief before. </p>
<p>I've been an elected class rep all 4 years for student council. I've ran for high office twice (but I lost both times - no biggie though, it's a popularity contest).</p>
<p>I am one of the leading mentors in the Face-to-Face program along with two other people.</p>
<p>I am chapter president of Youth & Gov for my senior year, and I was elected Secretary of State for the Illinois Program this past year. I'll be running for Governor next year.</p>
<p>I also may become an officer in BPA and Spanish Honors Society as well, because my advisors are encouraging me to, just need to balance the act. Not definite, but strong possibility. </p>
<p>For the essays, I had a question. Is the Why Penn? more of a general essay about why Penn is the right school for you. It appeared to me that it is. I've been trying to approach it from a creative manner, but was having trouble. I managed to get a hold of the previous years application and the other essay seemed to allow one to show their creative side a little better. Am I correct with these conclusions, or no?</p>