<p>Hi guys, </p>
<p>I am currently a sophomore at UPenn and a member on the executive board of the Assembly of International Students (the main policy and advocacy group for international students on campus). </p>
<p>I know you guys have a million questions about coming to Penn. Feel free to ask them here and we will try our best to answer all of your questions. </p>
<p>Furthermore, if you want to mingle with your fellow international students on Facebook, join the UPenn 2014 International Students Group - UPenn</a> Class of 2014 International Students | Facebook.</p>
<p>Although I am only a sophomore in high school, I have a few questions regarding the application process. Since my father works for the state department, I have lived in seven (eight next year) different countries (El Salvador, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Paraguay, Bolivia, Haiti, and Honduras – USA next year). Would having this sort of international background help my chances in getting into a prestigious school like UPenn?</p>
<p>I think this fact would make you a very competitive candidate for admission. Being exposed to so many cultures and languages can only give you an edge. Good Luck!</p>
<p>I doubt it would give you much if any of an inherent advantage but if you can talk about your experiences in depth and how they shape you etc, then it would make for great essay material :D.</p>
<p>Disgradius, exactly!!! I just applied to several boarding schools, and my essay was about how living in 3rd world countries (specifically Haiti) has taught me how to value even the smallest of things, like water, and how one doesn’t need material objects to survive.</p>
<p>aisupenn2014, thank you! I know I’m not going to be applying for another year and a half or so, but thanks! I actually have another question 
Does it look better to the admissions committee that I graduated from a boarding school or that I graduated from an international school (cause I’m going to be attending a boarding scool in the US next year)? Or does it not really matter, since I’ll still have that sort of multicultural experience under my belt anyways?</p>
<p>@ Josh, unless that boarding school is exeter or andover or the fact that you’re living with a bunch of other smelly teenagers has somehow changed you, I don’t think it matters much. The rigor of the coursework you take is valued more.</p>
<p>Disgradius: Sadly, it’s not Andover or Exeter. It’s St. Mark’s, which is still considered a top-tier school. But yeah, I understand. Thanks.</p>
<p>let’s get back on track and hear some questions from the Class of 2014!</p>