Is it really worth it for me to apply RD with these stats?

<p>Hey guys so i'm not in a position where i can apply to penn early decision and i know its a reach for me with my stats, i'll post them below. My school is somewhat of a "feeder" for penn so if i ED'd i'd have a decent shot of getting in, i can't help but feel i'd just be wasting an application fee if i RD'd. Can i get some opinions please? </p>

<p>STATS
GPA: 91.24/100 (UW) my school does not have a 4.0 scale (~96 Weighted)
SAT I Breakdown: 2200: 760(math) 710 (critical reading) 730(writing) (3rd try): (1910 -1st, 2000 -2nd)
SAT IIs: 700(Biology), 710(US History), (going to take Math IIC expecting 700 min, hoping 750+)</p>

<p>Rigor:
Taken 5 APs(Euro - 4 sophomore year, the other 4 are jr year and yet to come back but expecting 4-5 on all), several honors, and only 2 regular classes through 3 years in high school and 8th grade advanced courses. Taking 4 APs senior year. Low GP UW but with a very rigorous schedule and an upward trend (did not work very hard until I realized I needed to get serious around middle of 10th grade) (~87 8th grade(advanced courses), ~92 9th, ~92 10th, ~94 11th) </p>

<p>ECs
3 years cross-country
3 years winter track
3 years spring track
(Started sports 10th grade and fell in love, was not very active prior)
Global Awareness Club (3 years)
Peer Drug Educator(selective applicant only club)
Single Student Member (chosen) on local library board of trustees election committee(reviewed resumes of applicants for the board)
120+ hours of community service at local library as part of organization that organized rec events for school kids and members of the community
60+ hours at a nursing home
Camp Business Summer Program at Drexel University </p>

<p>Leadership:
Former Vice President and current President of community service club @ local library
***Attempting to start an MSA (muslim student association) in my school...hopefully it'll happen</p>

<p>Awards:
Scholar-Athlete distinction every season i've done a sport</p>

<p>The problem with Penn as I see it is that they fill almost 50% of their class with ED applicants- that leaves a very slim chance for RD applicants. Just have some solid backups when you’re going through the process.</p>

<p>@PsychoDad10 I’m aware of that. i visited penn, i love the city of Philadelphia(also applying to villanova and drexel). Penn is more interested in students who “Demonstrate” interest" through early decision. I am simple not in a financial situation where i can bind myself and risk getting screwed in financial aid. I am applying to around 15 schools so i really need to figure out whether i should apply regular decision or not…the odds are most definitely not in my favor. Can anyone weigh in?</p>

<p>^you can withdraw your acceptance if financial aid is not reasonable</p>

<p>^Second this. Also, Penn has some of the best aid in the country. The only schools that I think beat it in terms of aid are HYPSM.</p>

<p>If i ED would i have a realistic shot at wharton? i don’t know if i’m selling my self short or reaching too high but i honestly don’t believe i can get into penn as much as i would love to</p>

<p>You have an OK shot ED. Your major weakness is that SAT score. I’d try to take it one more time before applying. I’d aim for a 2100+.</p>

<p>@kbolisetty23, i took it 3 times my highest is a 2200…did you not see that?</p>

<p>if anything my gpa is my weakpoint
I’m deciding between Cornell AEM and UPENN Wharton for ED</p>

<p>^Sorry, somehow read that 2200 as a 2000. You’re pretty much fine then. I was suspicious about the GPA too, but you said you went to a feeder school, so I assumed it would be a non-issue. How does your GPA stack up against others from your school that have gotten into Wharton?</p>

<p>i think RD would be a waste of money tbh not because u aren’t smart but just because Penn’s RD is SOOOOO competitive. i think wharton even ED is a very on the fence. you may be better off applying to cornell ED. i had a friend who applied to yale EA bc his parents forced him but he wanted to go to cornell and he probably wouldve gotten into cornell ED but he ended up getting rejected regular :/</p>

<p>I would apply Cornell AEM ED. I think admissions for that are a little more lax, and the business prospects coming out of that are still very solid.</p>

<p>@Kbolisetty23, it would definitely be the lowest, although i have an upward trend it wont matter(really regret not putting in effort when i was younger). we have 1-3 kids getting into wharton every year but many of them are legacy. </p>

<p>@loljk1123 this is what i’m thinking of doing, wharton is in another league of competition, i just needed someone to slap some sense into me so i know i wasn’t just talking myself down :p</p>

<p>@breaker746 i think i’m going to do this after having a talk with my guidance counselor, i am a NY resident so that should help a little because of the contract college.</p>

<p>I, too, was (and still am kind of) deciding between AEM and Wharton. Ultimately what I’ve gathered is that AEM is almost entirely made up of NY residents and athletes, leaving hardly any space for OOS/non-recruited applicants. Since CALS (the school AEM is in) is a state school, they have to accept a certain number of NY-residents; therefore, in-state applicants have a much greater chance at getting accepted to AEM. This leads me to believe you have a greater chance at AEM than Wharton (not to mention it will be much more affordable with that in-state tuition); however, if Wharton really is the dream then you want to be sure you won’t regret that decision.</p>

<p>@cakebatter wharton is not exactly the “dream” per say, i don’t have a dream school as odd as that sounds, the closest thing to a dream school for me is chapel hill(and only because i live and breathe basketball :p) but i feel wharton would set me up for success! Unfortunately, because i most likely don’t have the credentials to get into wharton i think i’ve made the desicion to go with AEM</p>

<p>“I am simple not in a financial situation where i can bind myself and risk getting screwed in financial aid.”</p>

<p>Here’s the actual rule showing why there’s no danger of that:

</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>@vonlost thanks for the info, that makes me a little more comfortable…at this point i dont think i have a chance at wharton even if i get an 800 on math 2 (unlikely :P) i’m leaning twoards cornell AEM for my ED</p>

<p>Yeah I really think you should consider applying to Penn ED.</p>