My chances - preferrably admitted/current Penn students, please!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>These are my stats:</p>

<p>SAT math: 680
SAT verbal: 690
SAT writing: 740
SAT II: Lit 700, Math 2 690
GPA: 4.18
APs: 5 AP Lang, 3 AP Euro, AP Chem (last year), AP Lit, AP Bio, AP USH, AP Micro, AP Stats, Independent Study on Microecon.</p>

<p>Extracurricular:
-Varsity Tennis 4 years
-NHS
-National French Honor Society (10-12)
-Peer Tutoring Program (4 community service hours a week)
-Drama Club Photographer
-Photography in general - a lot of my pictures have been used in yearbooks and such
-Model UN
-Student Gov - 4 years, Executive Board 3 years
-mentoring program: highly selective and you get trained to mentor sixth-graders (a student-run DARE type of program)</p>

<p>Outside School:
-part of a cultural organization - I'm in the youth group and we do close to 50 hours of service a year
-I also did an oral history project, where we interviewed senior citizens and compiled their interviews into a book, of which copies will be placed throughout our county's public libraries - close to 200 hours of service</p>

<p>Background:
Indian
Can speak Hindi, Tulu, and French
Lived in India for six years</p>

<p>I'm hoping to make it to Wharton, but I just want to get a feel for my chances of getting in. I am really passionate about business, and Penn is a great environment for me. I would have applied ED, but considering how open the future is, I didn't want to jeopardize myself financially or anything. </p>

<p>Also, any current Penn students - would you mind reading my essays and letting me know how I can improve them?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for all of your input (:</p>

2

<p>Your SATs are pretty weak, but your GPA and ECs are solid. I’m on the fence, but I’d lean towards a rejection given how competitive Penn admissions are.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the honesty (: I mean, I know my SATs are my weakest part, so I’m wondering how I could possibly make up for that in my application?</p>

<p>also, any advice on essays? I’m saving Penn for last because I want to make it the best I can really.</p>

4

<p>yeah your SATs are low…you could try the ACT if it’s offered near you. I did significantly better on my ACT after converting it to the SAT score system.</p>

5

<p>I know the registration for the January ACT has passed, and colleges don’t take scores after that. And I feel like a few weeks is not enough time to prepare for the test? But that’s my take on it.</p>

<p>It doesn’t hurt to try though.</p>

6

<p>Scores need work – that low SAT2 Math will hurt a lot for Wharton. Math2 750+ scores are a dime a dozen at Penn. I think if you just took some additional time to study and bring those scores up, you’d have a much better shot.</p>

7

<p>So, as of now, I should try taking the ACTs and boosting my Math 2 score. I’ve been debating that with my guidance counselor (who just said I should leave it the way it is).</p>

8

<p>I have no idea about your other stuff, but in terms of essay there are a few things I’ve found really clinch things.
1.An extended metaphor- My essay was about my mother’s influence on me. Seems boring right? However, I compared myself to Sisyphus from Greek mythology and how originally pushing up my mother’s expectations seemed like an endless task until I became a better student and started carrying my own expectations. Anyway just an example.</p>

<p>2.You seem to have a long Indian background, perhaps delve into that and how it affected you?</p>

<p>3.I hated Penn’s essay took me forever to write.</p>

<ol>
<li>Try not to sound arrogant in your essay. If you mentioned a club or an officer position, try to include the reasons why you enjoy that club i.e any people you’ve affected in the club in a positive way.</li>
</ol>

<p>Anyway that’s from my own experience. You can agree or disagree. Good luck on Penn.</p>

9

<p>Thank you for your advice.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>My common app essay discussed how when I first moved to this country, I rejected my culture in an attempt to fit in, but after conducting the oral history project this summer, I gained a newfound respect for my culture. It sounds cliched but it kind of plays on how my parents made certain sacrifices for me, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>My “Why Penn” essay is kind of generic. I don’t like it too much.</p></li>
<li><p>My optional essay talks about how I go bungee jumping after college. It’s kind of lame (about me trying to get out of a semi-midlife crisis), so I’m trying to see how I can work on it.</p></li>
</ol>

10

<p>I’m not an expert, but sure.</p>

11

<p>Honestly, your scores are not that low. Penn takes a holistic approach and considers EVERY part of the application, and I truly believe that. My friend got in last year with an 1920 (620V/650M/660W). So really don’t beat yourself up over your SAT’s, you have as good a shot as anyone!</p>

<p>You should work on your “Why Penn” essay as well as your optional one. If your optional one sucks, DON’T SEND IT! They don’t need more evidence that you are a bad writer, and yes, my brother and his best friend both did not do the optional and are happy UPENN alum! </p>

<p>That is my 2-Cents!</p>

12

<p>it’s not that I’m a bad writer (not being arrogant at all), I’m just not confident in what I’ve written.</p>

<p>I really do want to go to Penn, I just don’t have the best stats.</p>

13

<p>it depends how many others from your school on applying to penn. If you are the best applicant then MAYBE. But I really wouldn’t get you heart set on Wharton.</p>

14

<p>would I have a better shot at CAS then? I’m just trying to figure out how to make the best of a so-so application.</p>

15

<p>Sounds like a great resume. Just remember to make yourself unique in your application. Everyone that applies here was a leader in a few clubs, took AP classes, and had good scores!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>