<p>I go to a fairly competitive school (we send a decent number of students to top schools), and this year, like many, is probably the most competitive in our school's history. Anyway, I had a very rough time (emotional stress, working three schooldays a week to support family, financial crisis, all that boring stuff) during my junior year, and I ended up with like a B+ average for that year. Otherwise I generally get A's and A-'s. I really, truly do want to go to Penn more than anything, but I feel that my GPA (and lowered class rank as a result) will lock me out from even serious consideration for my dream school. I have about 8 AP classes total, all generally very core subjects besides Environmental. I took three exams last year (AP Bio, AP Lang, and AP World History) and got 5's on them. My SAT score is 2210, and I am a National Merit Semifinalist. I have a couple of decent EC's, but no major leadership roles I can think of. I am also a legacy (is that how you say it? I have a family member who attended and graduated), if that might help.</p>
<p>So anyway, do I stand a chance at all? Should I even bother applying?</p>
<p>I don't think that there's any harm in applying. Grades aren't absolutely everything. There's nothing you can do about the past now, so concentrate on writing good essays. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>Thanks mizuiro, I'll try to keep my chances in perspective, but everyone has the right to dare to dream, right? :P</p>
<p>Anyway, I need some advice on this issue of my GPA... Should I request my counselor write a letter to the colleges I'm applying to about my junior year grades? I completely bombed my classes during the first semester, and worked harder and ended up with B+'s in most of my classes, and managed to get 5's on my AP exams. I was going through some personal hardships (as well as working during the schoolyear to support my family) that I'd rather not go into detail about right now, but I was wondering whether I should ask my counselor (who's fairly familiar with my situation that year) to help write an explanation for my awful GPA? I hate to use it as an excuse, but I really do know I can do better.</p>
<p>I would apply if I were you..............my son got rejected (ED) and we attribute it to his "lack of enthusiasm displayed" during the alum interview. He is the understated type and doesn't believe in "putting on an act" as he calls it, even though he really wanted to get in! His stats are: GPA: 3.9 (unweighted), All honors/AP classes every quarter, ACT:34 w/writing, volunteer activities etc.</p>
<p>We saw some results of ED posted elewhere on this web-site where they have admitted ACTs of 29, 30, 32, So, obviously there are "other things" that mattered. So, remember to "talk up the school" in your app and/or interview! Best Wishes to all.</p>