I have finally cracked!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Ok; I am one of those people who aren't extremely crazy about the chances thing, but I just want to get an idea, I guess.</p>

<p>My target school/program: LSM (life science and management) @ Penn
2nd choice: College of Arts and Science</p>

<p>UW GPA: 92.14 (~3.6 - 3.7), W GPA: 98.89
--- Slightly downward trend (95, 91.6, 90.6)
Class Rank (depending on WGPA): 9 out of 444
Fairly average/slightly competitive public school</p>

<p>SAT score (superscored): 2120; (scores for each 3 sitting) - 1990, 2010, 2120
SAT Subject Tests: Math II (750), Chem (700), Bio M (670)
AP: Will take about 11 by end of high school; 5s on three of them, and 3 on APUSH, and 4 on AP Comp Sci.</p>

<p>Senior Courseload: Most difficult (many people are taking similar ones this year though)
Awards: Regional and Local Science Fair, AP Scholar with Distinction, nothing else really...</p>

<p>ECS: Save Darfur Club (Officer), Science Fair (Treasurer), Model UN, FBLA, NHS.
Volunteering: Library, Hospital, Teaching some kids in a third world country (~300 hours)</p>

<p>Job: none
Summer Activities: Going with family to other countries for vacation
Recommendations: All right/average.
Essay: I am spending some time on them, so maybe slightly above average but definitely nothing outstanding.
Ethnicity: Asian
Weaknesses (I think): Little low SAT score; </p>

<p>Does it look bad if I don't have any awards for Model UN and FBLA?
So honestly, what do you think?</p>

2

<p>@OP: I think it’d be nice if you had awards from FBLA & Model UN. Especially if you’ve done these activities for 3-4 years. Don’t try to make anything up now–they can easily Google and see if you won the award or not. Remember–it’s too late to change your activities, awards, and transcript now. Focus on your essay!</p>

3

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>For Model UN (2 years membership incl. this year), I was only able to participate in one conference last year (1st year I joined) because my school had some trouble scheduling more conferences.</p>

<p>And for FBLA (3 years membership), I was being a bit optimistic/naive: I kept taking the Economics test but I had never taken an economic course - sort of self studied but other students in my state probably had courses in their schools like AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics.</p>

<p>What do you think of my overall chances though?</p>

4

<p>very low unless you are URM</p>

5

<p>@OP: I think you have a decent chance. Not like, “you’re def. going to get in” but like “you’ve got a shot. take it”. Maybe focus in one of your essays how you were unable to partake so much in Model UN?</p>

6

<p>decent chances, your test scores are kind of low</p>

7

<p>Just apply; you never know.</p>

8

<p>Any other opinions? Penn says essays/recs/character qualities are the most important, and then test scores/GPA, so is my test score going to kill me considering I am Asian?</p>

9

<p>bump 10char</p>

10

<p>Bump…</p>

<p>And to remind people this is for the LSM program which is really competitive. Do I have a impossible, low, average/decent, or above average chance of getting into this program?</p>

<p>And do you guys think I should explain the situation with the Model UN and FBLA in the additional information section? Or do you think that would be similar to whining?</p>

11

<p>Son was accepted last year. The essay is the most important part of the applications, much more important than an award or two from a high school club.</p>

12

<p>Focus on how you can benefit PENN, start a club there, share knowledge you have on a particular subject in the classroom. Most people just focus on how they can benefit from PENN in the why PENN essay (Or closely named to that). For the common application try to be creative and don’t just recite your volunteer achievements. Pick a unique moment from your life and describe how it impacted you and how going to PENN will help you continue to grow in that regard. I am available to read an essay and give feedback. Good luck but spend time on the essay, it is not easy, but well worth it if you really want to go there. BY the way he really loves it there so I’d like to help anyone else reach their dreams.</p>

13

<p>I just wrote a long message but I don’t think it was sent. I know you worked hard but there are a lot of things you can do to improve it. Overall I would make it shorter and focus on less activities , pick one topic like the India trip. I have more suggestions if you want to correspond via e-mail or phone.</p>

14

<p>Submitted my app… Bump…</p>