Math Dilemma

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hey guys, I hope you’ll view this as a less conventional chances thread. You see, I’ve had this math dilemma throughout high school which I have found to lower my chances of getting into my dream schools severely. </p>

<p>A brief profile: Junior, Asian, Male, NY
Intended Major: International Relations (aspiring Woodie Woo graduate), economics concentration
GPA is a 4.13 out of 5 (5 = H = 1st place in an honors class, 4.3 = A+, 4 = A, 3.7 = A-, 3.3 = B+, etc.)
So it’s essentially an A
I’ve taken all all honors and AP’s with the exception of Freshmen year art, Sophomore year Film, and Junior Year Latin. I’ve taken a total of 4 AP’s: APUSH, AP Eng Lang, World History, and Physics B. </p>

<p>SATs: 800 Wr, 800 Cr, 690 Mth ----- retaking to get a better math score, I know I can at least break 700 (reasoning is that I really need to shake off my image of incompetence in math).
II’s: 770 World, 770 US, 700 Bio Molecular, 640 IIC (!!!)</p>

<p>ECs/Awards:
President of Junior Statesmen of America (passion in politics), regional assisstant director of debate
President of Model UN (I’m extremely passionate about this activity as well as IR, and will probably write my common-app essay for fav activity on it). CMUNCE 2005 Best Position Paper Award, UNAR 2005 Outstanding Delegate
Weekly School Newspaper (one of few in the nation) - Junior year News Editor, Senior Year Opinion Editorial Editor
Mock Trial - Attorney
Amnesty International - Treasurer (Free Tibet! :slight_smile: )
Filmmaking
National Honor Society member (this is really pointless at my school - basically you’re recruited if you have above a 3.5 (Approximately a B+/A- range) GPA, but the NHS leaders are pretentious Bahstahhhhds (coincidentally, the initials of my high school are NHS - Niskayuna High School).
National Merit Semifinalist
Reel Teens Film Festival 2004 Finalist
National Latin Exam Gold, Silver
National French Exam regional placed 11th, placed 15th in 2005
French Department Honors certificate
NCTE Writing Competition nominee (awaiting results).</p>

<p>Okay, here’s my dilemma: I’ve demonstrated through both grades and SAT scores to have poor math skills. Now, I know being an IR intended major sort of mitigates the amount of damage that does, but I don’t want colleges thinking I’m incompetent in quantitative reasoning. Furthermore, I’m Asian. I kinda just wanna know what my chances are like (I’m not so confident anymore, given my math weakness), based on your own personal experiences or speculations. Here’s a breakdown of my math grades:
Freshmen year Geometry Honors - A
Sophomore Year Trigonometry/Algebra II Honors - B
Junior Year Precalculus Honors - B-
Senior Year AB Calc (I intend to work my ass off to salvage any mathematics dignity I have for at least the first semester) </p>

<p>Do I have a shot?</p>

2

<p>I'm not a UPenn student, but I think the answer is: Absolutely. You're unique, instead of the stereotypical Asian "quant", you seem to show alot of promise in Literary and Critical Thinking. Colleges want diversity even among the racial boundaries. I don't think Upenn would want a Math Department filled with Asians, anymore than an International Relations department filled with Cacuasians and no Asians!</p>

<p>Especially, the Amnesty, UN Model, Statesman and other ECs go very favorably for your application, painting a vivid picture as someone who is a leader and deeply interested in his intended major.</p>

3

<p>I agree with foxdie; you're not the stereotypical math-loving, violin/piano-playing, literature-hating Asian (yes, I can say that b/c I'm Asian--South Asian! :p)
I think you definitely have a chance...Work hard on your application is the advice I can give you. Also, please don't rely on my--or anyone else's--predictions b/c none of us are adcoms at Penn, and even if we were, our opinions may not be typical of the entire committee.<br>
How do you already know that you're a National Merit SF?</p>

4

<p>I hate to be negative, but I feel like if Penn has the choice (which I'm sure will) of someone who is good at all subjects, compared to someone who is good in most subjects, but weak in one, they will accept the applicant who is good in all academic subjects.</p>