How am I doing on the path to get into Wharton Undergraduate?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hello,
After recently visiting the Penn campus I absolutely loved what I saw there. I have always had a business mind growing up, and knew that in college I would want to study business. My dad is a successful businessman (he didn't go to Wharton he was born and raised in South Africa and went to school there before coming to the US) , and told me before my visit that the top school to go to is Wharton. I just finished my freshman year (I know why is he asking now), and want to see how I am doing so far. All my classes were honors except my elective and religion.</p>

<p>English 1 H - A
Algebra 2 H - A
Religion - A
Video Production - A
Biology H- B+
Latin 1 H - A
Cult Geography H- A</p>

<p>Weighted GPA: 4.57
Unweighted GPA: 3.85
Those were my grades for both semesters, only b+ is biology as you can see. I was so close each time to getting an A but its clear that Biology is not my thing. </p>

<p>My classes for Sophomore Year are</p>

<p>AP World History
AP Computer Science A
English 2 H
Chemistry H
Geometry H
Latin 2 H
Religion</p>

<p>I will be taking the max amount of AP's possible Sophomore Year (2 is max offered for Sophomores), and all the others are honors classes (except for religion), giving me the hardest possible courses. I am confident that I can get A's in these classes because Freshman Year with minimal effort I got A's (except for Bio which I literally hate.)</p>

<p>I play Basketball, and I am involved in the FBLA club, the Eagles for CHOC club ( a club that vists the local children's hospital), a Latin Club, I am an usher at my church, I also recently started a non profit where I sell custom wristbands (which I buy from another site) and give the proceeds towards Cancer Research.</p>

<p>In my Junior and Senior Year I will be taking (I assume) 3 AP classes and 3 IB classes (1 religion because its mandatory), it wont be full diploma but I am not interested in doing that.</p>

<p>If I plan to take Math IB SL junior year, and AP Calc AB or BC senior year instead of, ib math hl 1 junior year,and ib math hl 2 senior year will that hurt my chances of admission.</p>

<p>So how am I doing so far, and any advice for the future to get into my dream school Penn - Wharton.</p>

<p>P.S. Also I am a white male from Southern California - South Orange County. Income Bracket 200,000 +</p>

2

<p>a LOT can happen between freshman year and application time. BUT assuming you’re next few years are ivy-worthy, you won’t be out of the running. One B+ does not automatically knock you out - just don’t get another.</p>

3

<p>You’re done, might as well quit now. No chance</p>

4

<p>But in all seriousness, one can never be “on the path to get in” as much as you can be “on the path to apply.” College admissions is such a lottery at the highest levels that all you can hope for is a decent chance of getting in. If your next few years are like this one you’d be good enough to attend Penn, but you can’t guarantee admission. You’ll be competing with tens of thousands with extremely similar stats as yours for 2500 spots.</p>

5

<p>Make that 400-500 spots, if you are set on Wharton (which was a great experience for me). I think you’re in good shape so far. One B+ as a frosh is not going to affect your application, but your goals for the next two years should be (i) straight As; and (ii) in the hardest courses offered by your school. It’s fine to only have 2 APs as a soph, if that’s all your school allows, but you’ll be allowed more as a junior and you should take them – regardless of whether or not you like/dislike the subject. The big determinants here, which you can’t speak to yet, will be SATs and class rank.</p>

<p>Does your HS have any types of academic awards? Wracking up as many as possible (even if it seems meaningless to you to be the top soph student in chemistry or whatever) could set you apart a bit, as you don’t want that section of the app to be empty and you want to show the adcom that not only did you get an A in chem, you got the highest A of anyone at your school.</p>

<p>As for ECs, keep doing what you want to do; it’s good to show leadership but that can be had with the activities you actually want to do. There’s no specific activity that the adcom looks for.</p>

<p>Finally, realize how tough it is and scope out other undergrad b-schools also; I’d make it a goal to get into the top 5 because it is a crapshoot and you don’t want to be so set on Wharton so early. As a white male from SoCal, your app isn’t going to get the same boost as one coming from someone in Idaho – so apply to Wharton early but also think about your other options.</p>

6

<p>My d had 3 Bs and got in but her unweighted was still a 3.9.</p>

<p>You’re on track but much can change, even your choice of school, between now and application time.</p>

<p>Leadership, innovation, uniqueness can help spice up your life and your application. Don’t forget the complete package.</p>