<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I am currently a junior, and I am very interested in possibly applying to Huntsman next year ED. I have good grades, good EC's, and all that other shazaam that matches other Huntsman applicants. I was wondering if me being a latina (URM -- specifically from Brazil), an immigrant (although not an international student), and applying with Portuguese as my target language (which I think most US Huntsman prospects don't apply as their target language) increases my chances compared to other female US applicants. I know the college process is completely unpredictable, but I was still curious as to how much my circumstances would help in this very internationally-focused program. </p>
<p>Moreover, I and I myself (not my mommy or daddy) have formed my own not-for-profit charity which sends money to programs for the poor in Brazil. I won't go into too much detail, but would that fact help me stand out in the pool of other applicants? And would that help me more so since I am helping my own native country?</p>
<p>Any opinions are much appreciated. Obrigado! (Thank you in Portuguese)</p>
<p>Huntsman is always a dice roll. Being Hispanic (URM) is a plus, but I (and I could be incorrect) always thought that the URM unofficial plus points were more based on being US/Hispanic or underrepresented country of Hispanic origin and not a BRIC country.</p>
<p>Also, I’m not sure you’re going to impress admissions by selecting Portuguese as your target language, given that they’ll figure out you’re Brazilian and that’s Brazil’s native/official language. Kind of like someone applying from China and saying that they want to target Mandarin.</p>
<p>Admissions, among many other things, wants students that challenge themselves and choosing your native language as your target language doesn’t get that point across.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help! I, and other Brazilians I know, always get confused on the statuses of URM’s. Some people recognize Brazilians as URM’s since they fall into the Latino category of being Hispanic/Latino while others don’t recognize it at all. I am in the fence of declaring my target language as Portuguese or Spanish (which I take in school), so now I might be leaning towards the latter. Lastly, I was curious to know what Upenn means when they want their Huntsman students to show an interest or expertise in international affairs? Would my charity count meaningfully for that, and therefore help my application? I have older friends that had incredible grades, EC’s, essays, and everything in high school, but they never really did anything that could be considered “international” and were rejected from Huntsman. </p>
<p>Most folks tend to think it’s the overall package that’s reviewed at both UPenn and, more specifically, Huntsman. Regarding your questions about “international affairs”, you’ve got me. I’m not sure what international related things most high schoolers can do given that they’re still in high school.</p>
<p>Maybe mention some of your career plans or travels you’ve done if they’ll fit into your essays in a beneficial way. Also, I do know that some of the Hunstman students are or were very involved in student government and/or Model UN, including leadership positions. Maybe there are organizations similar to this that you’re involved in?</p>
<p>Realize though that there’s no magic formula to follow to get yourself admitted into Huntsman. Just present the real you along with your passions/interests in the application and keep your fingers crossed.</p>
<p>You’re trying to fill one of appx nine spots in Huntsman, so everyone that applies has a small chance of getting accepted. Calc = Appx 35 students per year x appx 50% your gender x 50% “international or domestic” = 8.75</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the help! I’ll see how everything unfolds at the end of this year when I apply ED. I’m very passionate about this program, so hopefully the admission people will see that in my application. </p>