How much does it matter?

<p>Hi there</p>

<p>I was wondering how much being a hispanic helps with the college process? I mean here are my stats (very rough)</p>

<p>3.64 GPA (unweighted)
2240 sats
800 french
800 spanish
750-ish math 1c (hopefully, haven't taken yet, but practice are there)
5 on AP Lang
5 on AP Lit
Senior Grade President
Editor-in-Chief of two newsletters
Staff Writer for School Newspaper
Head of Republican Club
Model Congress
Model UN</p>

<p>I visited the Penn campus and immediately fell in love with it. I was wondering if at this point I should even try to apply ED there. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>it may or may not make a difference, depending on the school and other factors (if you're also from a state/area the school wants more representation from, are first generation college, are from a lower socioeconomic level, etc- just being hispanic won't necessarily get you in, but coupled with some of these other factors can greatly increase your chances). Your stats look good, except your GPA is a little low, most schools would rather see Math 2C than 1C, and your EC's may be a little weak by Penn standards. ED should give you an added advantage because it shows Penn you really want to be there. Also, the application requires an essay on why you want to go to Penn- make sure it's good, and it's okay to make it a bit lengthy (Though it says to limit it to one page, I read about someone who wrote 6 pages and was accepted because Penn wanted someone from their region and this strong interest was the final push)</p>

<p>I love Penn too because of their campus when i visited... I really wanna get in</p>

<p>What is your rank and how difficult is your school?</p>

<p>it's one of the most competetive schools in the country, the Dalton School in New York, and I'm in the first quintile (barely). thanks a million for all your responses, and in response to 12041987 i am not of a low socioeconomic background and my parents did go to college. I also forgot to mention that I play tennis on my school's team and am the assistant to the basketball team, and also the head of the investmend club (sorry got a little nervous while typing it the first time).</p>

<p>With all this information, do you think I should apply here or set my sights lower?</p>

<p>Thanks again</p>

<p>Definitely apply, but have a few other colleges in mind should you not be accepted.</p>

<p>Is state residence taken into consideration?</p>

<p>Yes and no. They don't have a preference for applicants from Pennsylvania because they are a private school, but in the name of diversity your place of residence may be a factor in the admissions decision (in other words, if you live in Wyoming and no other students from Wyoming apply, you'll have a better chance than someone from an area that is overrepresented).</p>

<p>oic.... well in my case i am from a rural town in md, im white middle class, and go to a 2A size school. I seem to be an average applicant for them, but i want to find out something that could put me over the edge.... </p>

<p>So far ive heard if you say Early Decision then you have a 50% chance</p>

<p>also if you say you will major in nursing that increases your odds also......</p>