just wondering...

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
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<p>First of all, I am a junior currently so I should be posting in the UP 2014 section if it existed. Unfortunately it does not/I cannot find it.</p>

<p>So, I was just wondering about what are my chances so far.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.84 as of end of 1st semester junior year WEIGHTED :(
but... i have been steadily improving from 10th.
Per semester from 9th grade:
4.0, 4.0, 3.5, 3.6, 4.4, and for 2nd semester junior year i plan on getting 4.8 or 5.0
My school does not weigh anything until junior year. They only provide AP euro for sophomore year. Only Ap physics, APUSH, and AP stat offered for junior year.
I heard that if grades are improving, then the ending grade is the most important. I hope that is right.</p>

<p>SAT (first time): 2180 (800M, 690W, 690CR)
SAT (second time): 2180 (760M, 670W, 750CR)</p>

<p>SAT 2: Chinese 730(took in 9th grade), world history: 600(I took it a long time ago, probably in 9th grade, when i didn't know we had to send all our scores to upenn), math 2: 800, chem: 670 (retaking soon), physics 800, us history 780</p>

<p>PSAT: 217</p>

<p>ACT: 34</p>

<p>AP: Physics, USH, just took this week so don't know scores yet
Honors: everything, AP for classes that are offered
My school does not have many AP's as mentioned above.</p>

<p>Will take reg. Eng, AP chem, AP stat, AP econ, AP US govt, AP Calc in senior year.</p>

<p>took 2 years of Spanish in high school, 1 year in middle school so ended up with Spanish 3</p>

<p>0 people made it to ivy leagues last year from my school, but a few made it to MIT</p>

<p>I am Asian</p>

<p>Extra curricular:
-Varsity swimming since freshman year, CIF in freshman year
Academic decathalon sophomore year
-Robotics 11-12th, will be captain next year. I am also the summer camp instructor this coming summer vacation.
-Got accepted to SAAST, will go this summer, for robotics
-My friend and I own an LLC. We provide computer related services for small businesses and individuals. We build websites and set up entire networks, including servers (Windows, Linux, Mac, everything). We both have experience in setting up servers with Active Directory, VMware virtualization with ESX(i) servers, Exchange servers, ldap, all that fun stuff. We also have some experience with VOIP services. We have been hired by lawyers, doctors, and various other small companies. Currently we are developing a new technology relating to VOIP and mobile devices (and calling for cheap with high quality sound).
-Qualified for CA state science fair(may 18-19 this year), won 1st place in Orange County scifair.
-interning at either a mechanical engineering company or computer company (I have connections at both) in the latter part of summer. They are both fairly small, but I want to intern mainly to learn the business side. The technical side will be helpful as well.
-passed level 10 CM for piano in 11th grade. (also known as level advanced)
-I have some programming knowledge with C++, html, php, little java(because I was interested in AJAX), asp.net(some)</p>

<p>I want to double major in Business and Computer Science(or something related, like computer systems etc. dunno what they're all called)</p>

<p>So, please respond with your opinion on whether I have a chance at getting in or not. :D</p>

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<p>Also I forgot to add that I speak both Chinese and English fluently, and am sure that I do not have a noticeable accent. I was born in America and lived in China for two years, when I was learning to speak.</p>

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<p>what school in UPenn are you applying to?</p>

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<p>I want to try Wharton, but if you don’t think I can make it, give other suggestions if you want.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>What’s your class rank with that GPA? Nothing really jumps out.</p>

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<p>my school does not do class ranks, because I think someone sued in the past and the school does not want the trouble.</p>

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<p>My UNweighted GPA was about a 3.26 and I got into Penn Engineering, but I know that’s rare (granted, I had a 2330 superscored SAT, my SAT 2’s were good, and I had a lot of extracurrics). Wharton is probably out of your reach, to be honest. Try to make yourself stand out in some way. Work hard on your essays. You should be able to write a REALLY good Why UPenn? essay after attending SAAST…I went in summer 2006 for programming and it really helped my application in that I knew exactly what I loved about Penn.</p>

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<p>Ok, thanks Kitczh.</p>

<p>Does anyone think owning/running a company stands out? I don’t know anybody personally that has started a company that requires advanced technical skills to function. We have about 20 clients, and that number is steadily growing.</p>

<p>Also, can anybody confirm that an increasing gpa is almost if not just as good as a high gpa? The place I got SAT classes told me that, but I have not read about it anywhere else. I mean, will getting a 4.8/5.0 in 2nd semester of junior year be just as good as a relatively high total GPA?</p>

<p>IMO, if someone ends up with good grades it means he tried hard and has potential, and should be just as intelligent as one who had great grades all through high school. Thus, they will be at the same level when they enter college…</p>

<p>dunno, I like hearing other ppl’s opinions :)</p>

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<p>Well, upward trend in grades is good. My D had a less than stellar sophmore year (3 Bs)but took 3 APs and got all As Junior year and got in ED. Her SATs were 2300, excellent ECs and outstanding recommendation and essays. The only issue I see is only 2 years of a high school language? They are big on languages and only getting to Spanish 3 might be an issue.
Your ECs are very good but you need OUTSTANDING essays and really should bump up the W score on your SAT, at least 720. SAT’s are still very important to them that is why they are not participating in SAT choice scoring next year. Definately try ED. Good Luck!</p>

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<p>@citylights
Sorry, what is ED?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>PS about the 2 years of language, I did not have an extra period where I could add a language this year. Instead, I took AP physics. The thing about language is that I am fluent in Chinese in addition to taking 2 years of language, so I dunno…</p>

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<p>ED= Early Decision. I would definately check with admissions and see if they “recommend” another year of a language. I realize you are fluent in Chinese but since you are Chinese unfortunately that does not necessarily count as classes. All I am saying is it is definately worth a phone call while you can still change your classes for next year. Call the regional rep for your area, this can be found on Penn’s website and ask the question. Can’t hurt. Remember the essays are so important! Good Luck!</p>

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<p>I know language is important but…I reached Spanish 2 Honors by 9th grade and dropped it after that. Then, I took Japanese for two years and reached Japanese 3. Then I dropped languages altogether and I’ve never taken an AP or SAT 2 for a language and the only language I can speak is English. If you replaced your language class with something legitimate (AP Physics is pretty legitimate) it should be okay. I replaced mine with AP Computer Science. Engineering might be a better choice if the College/Wharton really focuses on languages though.</p>

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<p>@citylights919
does saying I was born in America and have had no formal schooling in Chinese help in any way on my application? and for my classes next year, I’m already going to take reg. Eng, AP chem, AP stat, AP econ, AP US govt, AP Calc, and I don’t think any of those are deletable in exchange for a language :(. I hope they are good enough to excuse me from language shortage!</p>

<p>@ kitczh
thanks for the info</p>

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<p>Sorry went back and reviewed your stats the 730 in Chinese should be fine to satisfy your language requirement. Any community service? I see potential leadership for next year that is good. Are you still swimming? The only thing that you should attend to is your writing score and lack of community service. Maybe you can do some pro bono work for a charity or something with your business. Good Luck!</p>

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<p>Yes, I had 25 hours of community service in 10th grade. In 11th grade I did 24 hours in a hospital, helping patients by pushing wheelchairs and cleaning operating beds. I also got 6 hours from robotics, as I have started some robotics instruction. My “mentor” which is the teacher that oversees these things agreed to give me volunteer hours for that.</p>

<p>Yes, I still swim at least 2 hours a day with my club, usually 4 or 5 days. Only these few months have I went an average of 3.5 days because of the AP’s, SAT’s, etc.</p>

<p>my ACT writing score was 35, reading was 33, and math was 36. I don’t know how I scored so low on my SAT I’s, but I don’t think I should take it a third time… It might be too much…?</p>

<p>and yes, my business partner actually started a charity that gives used computers to children in South America. I think I might join him on that.</p>

<p>Thanks for the good lucks and advice everyone!</p>

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<p>Sounds excellent! I have been told by an AP English teacher that her best writing students do not do well on the SAT writing. With that being said, her advice is that to follow a formula of what they are asking for, there are many good prepartory books on the writing portion. My daughter follewed that advice and went from a 670 to a 770. She also said the 770 easy was probably one of the worst essays she ever wrote, go figure.<br>
You sound like you are right on track, just remember to sound confident in your essays not desperate, the adcoms can tell the difference. Hope you will be a member of Penn’s Class of 2014</p>

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<p>Stop posting to the 2013 board. That’s why it says 2013, not prospective students. Please. This is just clogging it up.</p>

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<p>I think you have a very good chance, especially because you already have the business. just keep pushing ur GPA up and I’m sure u’ll get in.</p>