"Hooks" in the Admissions Process

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm really interested in University of Pennsylvania, and yes, I do realize that any Ivy is lottery when in comes to admissions. I sadly don't have any legacy with this school (or any of the ivies for that matter). My gpa is a 4.0 UNW and a 4.6 W (would be higher, but I only took APUSH, AP CALC AB/BC, and AP Physics B this year. I feel really ashamed for not taking Lang, and in my school Physics B is everyday, so that cut off another period that I could have potentially had something like micro- or comp. gov) Anyhow, next year I am going to be taking Lin. Alg. (not AP for some reason-- another collegeboard fail), AP Lit, AP Comp. Sci. (required for my internship), and AP Physics C (I can already do many of the Physics C problems now applying what I've learned in Calc and physics B). I will also be pursuing an internship with the department of defense. My SAT scores are really inconsistent with my abilities, or so it seems. On practice tests I score around 2050-2150 with no real studying, but on the actual test I've gotten a 1900.... really frustrating. Needless to say, I took it again today and felt like I did really well so hopefully it will be in the 2200 range (although I goofed on two math problems.... so mad about that).</p>

<p>The real question I have is that, independent of having perfect grades, good test scores, significant EC's, mostly 5's and few 4's on AP tests, and well written essays, how much weight can "hooks" hold in the decision making processes at these extremely selective schools?</p>

<p>I ask specifically because my sailing coach (varsity team) was the sailing coach at Stanford for a number of years, is really well-known and respected, and has been known to get kids into high-level schools on his recommendations. I know one person specifically whom had decent grades, and I'm going to assume 2000 SAT scores, whom got into Dartmouth last year with a recommendation from him. My first choice is, as mentioned earlier, University of Pennsylvania. I did some research and found that they have a semi-competitive club sailing team. I was thinking that if I could emphasize my ability to bring new energy to focus and develop the sailing team, as well as have a coach recommendation, my chances of getting admitted would be greatly improved.</p>

2

<p>Usually club level sports don’t recruit. Sailing at Penn may be different.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

3

<p>A few things… call it Penn, you don’t have to spell out University of Pennsylvania each time. Club sports don’t recruit, so your sailing would go down as an EC and would not necessarily be a hook. A rec from your sailing coach could be helpful, though. In your Why Penn essay, you could talk about joining the sailing team and how you would be involved in it which would probably come off well.</p>

<p>Also, as long as you are above the bottom 25% of SAT scores for Penn, meaning if you have about a 2090 or above, you are fine. Hopefully you did better this time, cause as you know a 1900 won’t cut it. Good luck when you apply next year.</p>