<p>So I'm going into my senior year and am wondering if it is even worth applying to UPENN early decision... </p>
<p>GPA u/w: 3.15 w: 3.75
SAT: 1530/1600 (790 M, 740 CR) 800s on the MATH II, Chem and Bio
I had a pretty bad slump Sophomore year, I got like a 2.9
I have taken all honors and AP classes, including a total of 7 science classes and 5 Math classes... I have four years of everything else other than language inwhich I have 3.</p>
<p>I am getting a recommendation from my AP chem teacher who went to UPENN and I'm very very confident its going to be an excellent rec.</p>
<p>My EC's are OK... 4 years of a varsity sport, a very small bit of community service, Calculus II at BU (which I got an A in) and I'm planning on taking more classes my senior year at Harvard Extension. Also, I had a job at a hospital my sophomore year.</p>
<p>I'm from a extremely competitive public highschool and from what I can tell has that reputation. </p>
<p>So what are my chances (if they exist) and is there anything I can do to raise them at this point?</p>
<p>Thanks a ton guys.....</p>
<p>Raise that GPA? that's the only way to go about it...</p>
<p>Considering your current stats, your chances of getting into UPenn is approximately 1-2%</p>
<p>Just my 2c</p>
<p>Your GPA is quite low. Your test scores are excellent. Your ECs are also very lacking. Hopefully your recommendations and essay can tip you over, but it's not looking good in my opinion.</p>
<p>I think you have more of a shot than the last two posters predict. You have awesome test scores, obviously show interest in UPenn (the only Ivy to drop in their app numbers and increase acceptance rate over the last year) and can have great recs and essay.</p>
<p>I say go for it. </p>
<p>The only drawback would be that applying early to upenn would mean sacrificing applying early to a college you have a greater shot at, like the direct sub ivy schools like vassar, duke, ect, ect. If you really want to go to upenn, go for it. If you want to go to a great vy or Ivy like college and want your app process to be done as soon as possible, don't do it and apply early to an easier school</p>
<p>I'm struggling with the same decision myself-I totally empathize!!!!</p>
<p>Even if you had a sophomore slump down to 2.9, the fact that you have a 3.1 overall uw GPA and a 3.7 weighed GPA in "all honors/AP" courses tells me that you didn't do a whole lot better in junior year - mainly B's, I suspect.
That's going to be a tough one for Penn. Normally, I would suggest applying ED but unless your junior year was really strong (mainly A's), you probably would be better served sending in a great grades for first semester of senior year during RD.</p>
<p>If Penn is your dream school, go for it. But, do work hard at rounding out your list with a solid foundation of schools that won't be huge reaches. How about Penn State as a safer bet? Or, perhaps the U of Delaware? Both have excellent business programs.</p>
<p>I agree with some posters above. Yes I think it is very worthy of your time to go ahead and give UPenn a shot, but you might want to apply RD. If UPenn is really your first choice school, you know you'll love it, and fin aid is not really a concern, then go for the ED I guess. </p>
<p>I think UPenn may be a very tough shot because I have heard from my counselor that UPenn looks at numbers (test scores, GPA, rankings) than the complete student.</p>
<p>Things to do in the meantime to improve your chances? I think get good grades, try to get good recs, start on essays/apps early.</p>