My URM DD just completed junior year at Penn. She was accepted with a 4.7 (wtd) GPA, 2150 SAT and 32 ACT, plus 2 subject test with scores over 700. She has thrived there, amongst an incredibly diverse, highly intelligent community. When walking through campus you see a vibrant racially diverse community, wth a student body that is passionate, engaged and immersed in activities. She is part of a volunteer/mentoring group in inner city schools, a dance group, a theater group, and politics, plus works at the Kelly Writer’s House. Everyone there has an infectious passion and personality that simply grabs you - THAT is what they are looking for. That “it” factor, something that stands out - not perfect scores. Her essay BTW was about drinking tea with her father.
Also, no professional test prep, just Princeton Review books at home. Plus leadership positions - president of NHS, captain of cheer squad, multiple leads in plays, started her own tutoring company, worked at Goodwill because it mattered. Right now she is interning for a congressman in DC over the summer, and will spend fall semester abroad in Singapore. They want students who DO things, not simply score on tests.