My Chances at the University of Pennsylvania

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hey Everyone,</p>

<p>I would appreciate if you could let me know if I have a shot at Penn. I am applying Early Decision and would love feedback/suggestions at improving my chances.</p>

<p>Scores and GPA</p>

<p>Unweighted: 3.9
Weighted: 4.4
(averaged over three years)</p>

<p>AP and Honors Classes (Freshmen through Senior Year):
Honors Biology, Chemistry, Pre-Calculus, English
AP: European History (5), Calculus AB (2)(epic fail), Physics (3), Psychology (5), US History (5), Macro and Micro Economics, Gov, Stats, English</p>

<p>SAT: Math: 700 Cr: 700 Writing: 740
Total: 2140</p>

<p>Subject Tests: History: 800 Language: 740 Physics: 600 (fail)</p>

<p>ECs and Activities)</p>

<p>JV Basketball (2 years)
JV Swim (2 years, Most Improved Award
Varsity Swim (1 year)
Mock Trial (2 years, Lead Defense Attorney and Team captain)
Senior Class President
National Honors Society (Two years)
California Scholarship Federation (Four Years, Lifetime Member)
National Arts Honors Society (Two years, Treasurer)
Junior Statesmen Debate Club (Founder and President)
S Choir (extremely selective choir, only seven members) (Two years, Soloist)
Advanced Choir: (Two years, Soloist)
Advanced Drama and Musicals: (Four Years, 6 lead roles in productions)
Link Crew Leader
Pioneer Debate Team (Team Captain and Founder)</p>

<p>Community Service:</p>

<p>Extensive Work with Breathe California (non profit organization, taught and designed a seminar teaching kids the dangers of tobacco, organized a commission to get volunteers involved in the community and in the organization) and also worked with schools and math programs tutoring children</p>

<p>Internships:
Did an independent Research Project and internship with Cerimon Pharmaceuticals
Internship at a prestigious law firm in Ohio
Internship at a law firm in Toronto working on Human Rights Cases</p>

<p>Awards:</p>

<p>National Merit Scholar (in the running)
Pioneer All-Academic Team (32/385 juniors)
Principals Award for Outstanding Community Service
Presidents Award for Community Service (Gold, over 250 hours)
Jeffersons Award for Outstanding Community Service
Honor Roll all four years</p>

<p>I am really into/pretty good at singing and acting and am sending in two songs I have recorded as well as a pantomime scene from one of the musicals I was in so hopefully that should help as well.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>You have a chance. However, it’s always hard to judge good colleges, especially the ivies. Sometimes, admission comes with a bit of luck.</p>

<p>You have good ECs, but your scores are low for Penn, both SAT I and SAT II. the 600 is a killer. and try to take Math II if you can!</p>

3

<p>yeah the 600 is dreadful. i do not plan on sending that score. i plan on taking the SAT again in Oct. as well as possibly the math II subject test in Nov. Thanks!</p>

4

<p>Great GPA, variety of EC’s and work experience. However, you are OBLIGATED to send ALL test scores to UPenn … including the 600 … it is part of their non-score-choice policy.</p>

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</p>

<p>I would recommend taking the exam again to prove that it was simply silly mistakes or misfortune. Good luck in ED!</p>

5

<p>okay. darn haha. i studied so hard for that test and still screwed it up. ill try again though in november to fix it cause im doing the SAT in october. thanks for the information StarsAligned</p>

6

<p>wow! You will definitely get in, because you not only have very good sat scores but also internships and attempts at original projects. I think you’re in. =)</p>

7

<p>thank you very much Margota =)</p>

8

<p>I think you have a really good chance. Good GPA and good set of extracurriculars. Not to be redundant, but yeah, just try to get up those standardized testing scores, since they’re pretty important factors :slight_smile: maybe try the ACT if you have time? But yeah, Penn does require you to send in all tests, so don’t take it unless you really need to. Also, make sure your essay shines, because I’ve heard that’s really important. That thing you organized about tobacco sounds interesting, so maybe that’s a unique aspect… or the singing thing, of course. :)</p>

9

<p>^or maybe OP is just not good at physics, which is permissible, even for Penn</p>

10

<p>^But usually applicants self-select the areas in which they are “good at” for SAT II tests. Pick-your-3-best-subjects-and-go kinda thing.</p>

11

<p>I agree. I would take another SAT II to make up for the poor physics score.</p>

12

<p>yeahh i took physics because it was a subject i was currently studying for for the AP test so i thought it would be the best use of my time but it is true i am horrible at the subject. i definitely plan on taking another subject test (probably bio because i’m good at it). thank you guys all for the help it is much appreciated!</p>

13

<p>I got a 600 on my Physics SAT II and I’m going to UPenn SEAS in the Fall. So it’s not the end of the world for UPenn Admissions.</p>

14

<p>thank you Eaglesgirl116. what i want to do is the politics, philosophy, and economics combined major at upenn or possibly psychology so physics is something i am both bad at/not interested in haha. i appreciate the info =)</p>

15

<p>I got a 650 on physics freshman year without any prep and w/o taking a physics class… did you mis-bubble or something? i’d recommend getting that rescored. Or just retake it. maybe you had a challenging test that didn’t quite fit your strengths?..at any rate you have a good shot at UPenn</p>

16

<p>to be honest i have no clue what happened. i got a A in my AP Physics class although i struggled and i did get a 3 on the ap exam. i took the test in may isnt it a bit late to get it rescored? i am not sure if i should take it again or go for some other subject tests that i probably would have more success with</p>

17

<p>Hmm…too late to get it rescored. I would take 1 physics SAT practice test and if you get above 700 I would recommend studying hard for it for preferably a 750+. However, if you get a lowish score on it again I would screw the physics and try a subject your more comfortable with.</p>

18

<p>yeah i doubt i would get 700 plus so i think i am going to go with the screw physics route but ill try a practice test thats good advice. its just not a subject i am strong at. i plan on taking the biology, math 2, and possibly literature again to try and get a higher score because i think i can get that up a bit.</p>

19

<p>thanks for the help!</p>

20

<p>rahuja, when did you take the physics sat 2? 'cause i took it too, studied really hard, and ended up with a 620 :/</p>