@runswimyoga With a Penn sophomore and an accepted student, I agree that Penn is a place where a student’s social calendar, research work and study hours completely fill 24 hours 7 days a week. The culture drives everyone to explore and achieve in whatever areas they are passionate about. Admissions officers likely read applications to determine if applicants fit into this culture; how do they fill their day and will they contribute to the Penn community? The number of ECs is seems less important than the depth, years of participation and connection to passions, potential college community contribution and intended major(s).
Yes, high scores (SAT, Subject tests, GPA, AP scores) get an unhooked student into the ‘considered’ pile of applications, but a student’s complete story (Essays, ECs, Recommendations, Coursework) is what gets an acceptance. Yes, unhooked, public school students too!
We were unwilling to pay tuition (versus high merit offers) unless or children assured us that they would take advantage of the multitude of social and academic resources available. I am pleased to see that undergraduate research is limitless for high achieving students, Penn sponsors students to attend conferences, club sports have travel funding and the social opportunities are endless both on campus and in rented Philly venues.