<p>Im applying to Upenn, and my grades are really good, (98.1 GPA) my extracurriculars are great, my recs are great, i think i wrote pretty good essays, but the things that is seriously pulling me down? My scores SUCK
Is this an instant rejection?</p>
<p>It depends. Hard to say without knowing your exact score and situation (assuming it is the SAT score that you are talking about). There is no cutoff scores, they look at the application as a whole. Not all the schools are created equal, low SAT score may reflect the strength or rather a weakness of your high school, admission office do keep track of these things.</p>
<p>Look at the common data set. It would appear that below 2100 without a major hook is extremely unlikely to the point of not being worth applying. A truly extraordinary EC may change that equation, but it would have to be darned extraordinary…</p>
<p>U Penn CAS Chances ED Please</p>
<p>SAT:2100
SATII: US History 680 Bio: waiting
Public School
Rank: 1
Psychology Major
Visited UPenn
No Legacy Hooks
Really Good Essays</p>
<p>Various Extra activities</p>
<p>NHS President
Math League Pres
Sci Olym:Pres-won award at competition
Spanish Club: pres
Quiz Bowl: Captain
Spanish Group: Pres
Historical Society: pres
Youth Group: Leader</p>
<p>lots of community service
library
shelter
youth court
research in lab
hospital
etc.</p>
<p>What do you think my chances are as an ED applicant?
asian
5 on 2 aps
4 on 1ap
3 on 1ap
4 aps taking senior yr</p>
<p>" It would appear that below 2100 without a major hook is extremely unlikely to the point of not being worth applying. "</p>
<p>For future reference, according to common app, Penns SAT range is approximately from 2030-2285. The 2100 is quite competitive.</p>
<p>“Penns SAT range is approximately from 2030-2285. The 2100 is quite competitive.”</p>
<p>2100 might be competitive for a football/basketball player, wealthy legacy, or URM, but not for an unhooked applicant. Generally, to have a solid shot unhooked, you should be at the median and some would say at the top 75% percentile. No. 1 ranking will definitely help, but with that SAT and no “wow” ECs (very solid though) Penn is still a long shot and I would make some back-up plans.</p>
<p>This thread is 2 years old.</p>
<p>Penn is a long-shot for anyone, though.</p>
<p>Also, there are some ongoing threads on CC that started back in '07 or even earlier.</p>
<p>I know, I just don’t think there’s much of a point in reviving this 2 year old thread.</p>
<p>I think providing reference so future stumblers can benefit from (or not) is useful. I just wanted to argue against something I find very hard to believe. </p>
<p>And also:</p>
<p>"2100 might be competitive for a football/basketball player, wealthy legacy, or URM, but not for an unhooked applicant. Generally, to have a solid shot unhooked, you should be at the median and some would say at the top 75% percentile. "</p>
<p>I find it very hard to believe 50%-75% are hooked in the way you put it - there are 2420 people who enter Penn each year. I find it really hard to believe there are that many hooked candidates. And if you look in the decisions thread, this may come as a huge surprise, but there are people admitted to Penn with 2100, <2100, and who are not athletes. It’s holistic.</p>
<p>Lol at the people trying to say you wont get in with a 2100. The ACCEPTED 25-75 percentile range is about from 2000-2300. ACCEPTED! That means 25 percent of students get in with SATs below 2000. Do you people honestly think that the more than 35 percent of Penn students with SATs below 2100 are wealthy legacies or athletic recruits? Of course not! Do you hear that sound? That’s your trolling argument collapsing on itself. For the people reading, don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a 2300, the math is still in your favor. </p>
<p>Btw I have a 2270 so this is not about my weak scores. This is about the kids on here intentionally posting misinformation so that some of the best applicants are discouraged from applying. Don’t listen to those kids, and for gods sake stop reading/posting chances threads.</p>
<p>^Well, you also have to account for Affirmative Action as well. Maybe it’s elitist of me, but I sincerely doubt an unhooked applicant would be very competitive w/o a 2100 + (or whatever the equivalent ACT is).</p>
<p>Depends on GPA and ECs and essays also. An SAT score is only a piece of the puzzle. Don’t over-emphasize its value.</p>
<p>Madaboutx: Exactly. I am applying (and putting the most effort into) Penn because I they care so much about the application as a whole. A student who writes awesome essays and polishes his application is going to stand out just as much as another private school kid from Connecticut with a (thoroughly coached) 2400.</p>
<p>I feel like they are just as important as they are anywhere else. Your scores do not define you. You are more than a number! (:</p>