I'm worried after seeing ED... chances for an Asian girl?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>What are my chances for Penn if my GPA and class rank are on the lower end, but my SAT scores and ECs are really good?</p>

<p>Korean female, very competitive public MA hs, top 50 in state</p>

<p>GPA ~3.5 UW
Class rank ~40/390, could be lower or higher
Course load: most challenging available, will have 8 APs taken by graduation, and will have taken 9 exams
AP: Bio, US, English Language, Calc, Psych, Econ (online), English Lit, Latin Lit
SAT: 640 math/790 verbal in one sitting as a sophomore, hoping to bring up the math to 700+
SAT 2: Taking after I finish my APs, probably Bio, IIC and Latin</p>

<p>EC:
VERY heavy focus on debate, which is my absolute love and passion in life, plus I have a record that’ll be very unique and impressive-- there’s A LOT under this category, like 2 pages of states and nationals plus leadership and camps.
A lot of politics, like DNC volunteer, volunteer for Kerry campaign, Dean campaign, US House and State senate campaigns, State senate intern, hopefully DC page, organized voter registration drive for Asian American voters, Rock the Vote
Asian Club, president
Amnesty International, president
Viola, districts and soloist and allstate whatnot, musical pit orchestra, summer orchestra, local youth orchestra, principal violist, chamber groups
Piano, 13 years, sending in tape with viola, violin, and piano pieces
Violin, various orchestras
Young Democrats, school branch and state branch
I help autistic kids learn Korean at the local Korean School
The Other Side (satire magazine) Editor in Chief
English language editor, New England Korean News
various church stuff, participated in fasting program for world awareness
published author, various essays and poems</p>

<p>NHS, National Latin Honor Society, National Forensics League, National Merit Semifinalist at least I think, National Latin Exam gold and silver medals, Congressional Award Silver Medal (working towards gold)</p>

<p>International Relations major at the College</p>

<p>Any feedback would be very appreciated, am I aiming too high? I love International Relations and debate, and Penn offers both in an amazing setting.</p>

2

<p>You're not aimming too high, You have a good chance, if you emphasize that your ECs (impressive!) might have lowered your GPA a bit.</p>

3

<p>"You have a good chance, if you emphasize that your ECs (impressive!) might have lowered your GPA a bit."</p>

<p>Only do this if it's absolutely true. If not, your explanation will be transparent and seem petty. I definitely think your extracurriculars throw you back into the running, though.</p>

<p>Oh, and did you get a chance to go the convention?</p>

4

<p>Meaning the DNC?</p>

<p>I did, and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I was on the floor on Tuesday night when Howard Dean was speaking, and it was just incredible to see my candidate once again. Not to mention Barack Obama's speech, which was just the most powerful speech perhaps of the entire convention, hands down. I still get shivers when I hear recordings of it... that man is off on a running start to make history.</p>

5

<p>Quick question: why in the hell isn't that on your list?</p>

<p>Oh, and were you 18 when you were helping with the campaigning?</p>

6

<p>Nope, I'd be like 19 right now then if I were.</p>

<p>And it is, DNC volunteer. :)</p>

7

<p>Ah, I thought that meant the committee, not the convention. I put both RNC's.</p>

<p>But, anyway, it sounds like you have a great chance. Good luck.</p>

8

<p>Yes. But you're not a lock though. So plan around, because you never know. Try to get that SAT up and get awesome recs and essays.</p>

9

<p>Thanks, I'm waiting for National Merit status as we speak... my guidance department is full of fascists, I swear.</p>

10

<p>Whats the last date you can take SAT?</p>

11

<p>January I believe.</p>

12

<p>if you're not a senior then you have a really good chance. Just bring up the stats and you'd be fine.</p>