My guidance counselor says I should not obsess about wharton.Chance = about 0.

Applying to College
1

Algebra II Summer School A
Human Behavior A

9th grade.***
VB Programming A A
French I A A
Honors Lang A A-
WG (weighted grade) Algebra II/Trig A A-
Symphonic Orchestra A A
Biology A A-
Honors US History A- A
RANK: 5

Independent study, skipped Chemistray Semester 1 and 2. A A

10th grade.***
AP Comp sci A A
French II A- A-
WG research language arts A A-
WG Precalculus A A-
AP Chemistry B- B (I skipped Chemistry, therefore, my base was bad)
AP European History B+ C+ (C+!!! This is unstable. inconcistency. BAD)
Advanced Chamber Orchestra A A
RANK: 4th

summer-Independent Study Skip class French III both semesters A A
health class A A summer school

Junior Year.***

WG French IV A-
AP Lang A-
AP Calc B (I WILL GET A this semester, promise)
Symphonic Orchestra A
AP Bio A-
AP Gov B+
AP US History B-
RANk: 6/320

WEighted GPA: 4.3
Unweighted: 3.77-3.8.

ACT: 31 . I WILL GET a 33 and above. I KNOW I WILL!!!
36 math ACT. 800 Math IIc. 800 Math Ic.
POOR VERBAL. WILL NOT SUBMIT SAT I (1100).

I know I’ve asked my chances b4, but they were all about penn, and complaining

can someone tell me my reaches/matches/safeties?
business. school.

My choices:, in order. Wharton/MIT/Stanford/Columbia/collegeless.

i’m worried about my ACT.

Academic Team
• Placed 1st in Districts!!
• Some events include: 1st at U. of MO Columbia Tournament (11th) 3rd at Washington University Tournament (11th)
• Numerous top individual medals
• Varsity Captain (12th)
Speech and Debate Team (9th, 11th, 12th)
Eureka Website Design Team, “Webcats” (9th, 10th,12th)
• Lead designer and manager
• Taught students the basics of web site design
• <a href=“http://www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/eurekahs[/url]”>www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/eurekahs</a>
Chess Club (9th, 11th, 12th)
• Play chess after school once a week
• President
• Cofounder
Varsity Swim Team
Cross Country Team
Reaching out to others through service, ROOTS (10th-12th)
Talented and Gifted Group (9th-12th)
• Mediate and Counsel with other students/talk about family problems, stress, etc.
French Honors Society (10th-12th)
“Welcoming Wildcats”-guide and orientate freshmen

Piano
• played for 11 years (1st-12th)
• Accompanist for symphonic orchestra (9th-12th)
• State Auditions rating 1s
• Other events such as NFSM Piano Guild, State (8th), Nationals (9th)/MMTA auditions
Violin
• Played for 8 years (4th-12th)
• Symphonic Orchestra 2nd violin section leader (9th), co concertmaster (11th), concertmaster (12th)
• Symphonic orchestra assistant high school conductor (12th)
• State auditions rating 1s
• Excellence in Orchestra Scholarship Award, $250 (9th)
Private Accompanist for music auditions, earned over $1000
Private Instructor-Prepare (and accompany) Middle School students for auditions and competitions, earned about $500
John M. Kastner Board of Education Excellence in Music Award
Participated in many recitals and talent shows
Individually selected to play at Rockwood Board Meeting, Gold Standard Program and Rose Award Program
Taught elementary/middle school students at a clinic before the Rockwood MIOS concert

Eagle Investments, LLC***
• Helped dad start/run a company
• Real estate investment family business
• In charge of communicating with tenants, writing letters, translating documents, ordering rehabilitation materials, and finding property online
• Rehabilitated 15 apartments/currently have 11 units in rent.
(My dad came to america when I was in 10th grade. has VERY POOR english skills. I will mention this in my essay).

St. Louis Chinese Language School***
Student
Chinese Lion Dance Team
• Manager, Coordinator and Captain
• Organize events, advertise for school
• Teach 20+ students the techniques and culture of Chinese lion dances
• Perform at special occasions, such as Chinese New Year, Cultural festivals, grand openings of restaurants, etc.
• Fundraised over $3000 for language school
• Appeared on many articles and interviews
Numerous Top of Class Awards-Rewarded for best performance in Chinese classes
Tai Kwan Do Student (3rd-10th)
Tai Kwan Do Assistant Instructor (8th-10th)
• Instructed 20-30 students basic martial arts
• Assistant Sparring instructor (10th)
Currently studying Wing Chun style (11th)
~a tournament award put here.
STLCLS Full year scholarship Award (6th, 7th)
• Selected from different levels of testing, only four winners per year
• Two time winner
STLCLS Community Service Award, $250.
• Highly selective award. 3 students per year.

SUmmer stuff****
Worked at Little Saigon Chinese restaurant, summer job (10th)
Independent Study Course Skip-Chemistry (9th)
Independent Study Course Skip-French III (10th)
Attended US Naval Academy Summer Seminar (11th)
Traveled to home in Hong Kong (9th)
• Tutored relatives in English and Science, about 20 hours total
Student Conservation Association
• 1 month long of community service to the environment in unique places across the country

Interests***
Computers and Technology
• Taught self web design, PHP, HTML, and JavaScript
• Created a home web server and website, which is now mainly run by friends
• <a href=“http://www.chantown.com%5B/url%5D”>www.chantown.com</a> online from 8am-11pm central time only
• Created a free express email program
• <a href=“http://www.mail.chantown.com%5B/url%5D”>www.mail.chantown.com</a> (online 24/7)
Digital Photography
• photography gallery at <a href=“http://www.chantown.com/cpg132[/url]”>www.chantown.com/cpg132</a>
Poetry/Writing
• St. Louis Symphony Express the Music Poetry Contest-Top 10 Finalist (10th)
• National High School Poetry Contest-Regional Winner(11th)
• The Foundation “Creative Expressions” Volunteer-Compose and submit an open-topic prose or artwork each month for publishing (11th-12th)

Misc**
Multilingual-Cantonese (spoken language at home), Mandarin, English, and French
Consistent winner for 2004 “Math Money Contest”
• A monthly math competition held at school
• 3 winners each month
• won about $100
Independent Study AP Environmental Science (11th)
Independent Study AP Economics (12th)
Independent Study AP Calculus BC (12th)
Volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital (About 130 hours)
Senior Technology Education Program (11th-12th)
• Nonprofit organization
• Founder, elected President
• One on one computer teaching for senior citizens
• Encouraged more than 30 students to become teachers
Foreign Travel
• Traveled to and experienced the rich cultures of Canada, China, Tailand, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and Hong Kong
Annual School Book club-Read and discuss books
Member of Virtual Stock Exchange(portfolio: Chantown)
Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
• Resource Detective for Franklin, MO
Extra Hands Network-Fundraiser/attend events and
Participant in annual Camp Fire Incredible Kid Day (9-12)
• Write letters to kids on March 17th
Elder Wisdom Circle Member (10th-12th)
• Organization that elders a chance to express themselves.
• Frequently talk and chat with elders, give/receive advice regarding school, family, health, etc. using an email system.
MO Botanical Gardens Chinese Culture Day-Acted/Performed Martial arts in a play called “Monkey King”
Gold Honor Roll, ACT Honor Roll. Some school scholarships.

1st generation asian
Dad works at factory. Mom works at Marshalls
Dad is an investor
I show COMPLETE interest in penn.

I don’t have time (thats why i have bad grades)!!! <the point of my interview, i will “show” them.

Essays will be about business, of course (my lemonade stand and how I talk to my tenants and realize stuff about this world and money and how it’s governed by business and why there are different types of people etc etc)

My college counselor says I shouldnt expect much.
I don’t.
but i want to go so bad…
it’s always been my dreammm.

i know i’ve asked chances before. but could someone please give me a very thorough review? Thank you sooo much!

2

<p>if you seriously love that school, it'll come across in your interview/essay. your stats aren't horrific...4th and 5th rank is nothing to scoff at. Neither is two 800 SAT II's...</p>

<p>You work, serve the community, have many interesting EC's...</p>

<p>your counselor is a crack addict</p>

3

<p>O crap. wrong thread. Go to What are my chances please.
sry about that
(and sry for the anoying posts and obsessions..)</p>

<p>this is my Compelte application. Can someone just review it for me 1 more time? (things have been somewhat updated)</p>

4

<p>Why is your cocunselor saying that, your stats seem to be in the range. Does she know something?</p>

5

<p>whats ur GC smoking. These stats are better than the future valdeictorian in our class and he got into Harvard</p>

6

<p>can someone give me the matches/reaches/safeties and stufflike that pleaselol?</p>

<p>and like, what are mys trenghts and weaknesses? Thanks
this college counselor isn't my school's counselor (thank god. actually, my school counselor is really nice)</p>

<p>My dad knows a good friend who is a college counselor at another school (a VERY Good high school.that guy's chinese too), and he (not she) says that I shouldnt have high hopes on wharton, just basically says that i'm not stellar in grades</p>

7

<p>wharton - match (better than 50% chance)</p>

<p>your ec's, test scores, community service, job experience should make up for your GPA. your GPA isn't that bad to begin with...</p>

8

<p>i got into upenn regular decision with a 32 ACT and 3.8 gpa... i think you can do it too, and i dont have nearly as many extracurriculars. go for it, but prepare for backups. other good options besides Upenn: UVA, U of Michigan, and basically the other ivies.</p>

9

<p>is it possible for me to transfer from let's say U of chicago to Wharton
or,
U of Michigan to Wharton</p>

10

<p>dude.. u got a good chance at Wharton. First gen with those stats? your counselor is smoking some good crack.</p>

11

<p>The drop in grades is really not going to help you. It's good that you're challenging yourself, but in an ideal world you would be able to excel in your AP classes as well as in regular ones. If you pulled up your grades for second semester...that's awesome. Really try and get solid grades first semester senior year as well. And make 5s on AP tests.
Your ECs make you a strong candidate but really try and find a less selective school to fall in love with too.</p>

<p>Definitely don't give up on the dream though...the only way your chance of getting in will be zero is if you never apply!</p>

12

<p>What the GC is saying is don't put all your eggs in one basket, look around at other schools. Reading the website just shows you that no matter how qualified you are and what a good match you would be to the school, there is no guarantee for any school. </p>

<p>So be sure and check out other schools.</p>

13

<p>i'll check out other schools</p>

<p>what about Sloan/Haas/U of chicago, and columbia? can someone give me those reach/match things please?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

14

<p>Chanman: I applied ED to Wharton this year and was deferred originally. My stats are good, but you definitely have better stats in some areas (SAT II's). The regional admissions director for Penn told me the reason I didn't get in ED was because I didn't "show enough interest." I then wrote them a letter after my deferral telling them how much I loved Wharton and Penn in general. I got in RD. My advice to you: Apply ED and make sure you let the admissions office know how much you really love Wharton/Penn in your essays. I think you have a great shot.</p>

15

<p>Sloan is the same as getting into MIT... Haas you just gotta get into Cal and then apply during your sophomore year to get in. UChic is way easier than MIT and Wharton to get in... and Columbia is just slightly easier than MIT.</p>

16

<p>can someone point out my weaknesses (besides grades)?</p>

17

<p>chanman: I think your stats are great for each of the mentioned schools, as well as your ECs. Ultimately, choose the school you like the best (not based on prestige) and show interest (as has been voiced by others on this thread). Best wishes to you.</p>

18

<p>Wait a minute. That college counselor is NOT saying "Don't apply to Wharton" or "You have no chance." What he is saying is "Don't get too attached to a lottery school." That's very good advice and you should be glad you have someone giving you such good advice. I hope you'll listen to what he's really saying and not get your fur up thinking he is doubting your credentials in any way.</p>

<p>Do you have a chance of getting into Wharton? Yes, absolutely. But you also have a chance of getting rejected simply because Upenn/Wharton accept so few applicants. </p>

<p>It does not make sense to "obsess" over any school where your chances of not getting in are less than they are of getting in. This does not reflect upon your excellent qualifications but it does tie into the fact that the schools currently on your list are highly selective and receive thousands of applications from folks every bit as qualified as you are. </p>

<p>Are you planning on applying ED? Penn fills about 40-50% of their class through ED so your chances of getting in during RD are much less. However, don't apply ED if you are not absolutely positive you can live with whatever financial aid package they give you. (If you don't need money, then no problems). I'd also encourage you to spend some time thinking about the answer to this question: If Penn (or any other school) receives 15,000 applications from people with the exact same qualifications as me next year, why should they take me? The answer to that question is the one you should bear in mind while filling out your application, writing your essay, getting your recommendations, and going on your interview. </p>

<p>But, in the meantime, you also need to bump down a notch and add some schools to your list that are a bit down the rung in terms of selectivity. Nothing wrong for shooting for a dream, but you need to have a back up plan and other lottery schools aren't necessary a solid back up plan. If the worst happened, and you didn't get into any of those schools, where would you like to go? That is what your GC is trying to get across: don't fall in love with a lottery school until you're actually holding that fat envelope in your hand.</p>

<p>And finally, listen to your the college counselor on this. He sounds like a good guy to me who will make sure you get into a great school if you work with him and take his advice.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

19

<p>And one more tip, if you want it: Take that loooooong list of extracurriculars and activities and focus in on the ones that really express who you are --- that show you are different in some way from the thousands of other applicants who also get straight A's, play chess, play the violin, and are on their team's academic league. Find what makes you unique, that no one else can offer to these schools, and make sure the adcoms see it in every part of your application package. Good luck again.</p>

20

<p>You mention that you won't be submitting your SAT I scores, but is that possible? In order to submit your SAT II scores, won't they see your SAT I scores? </p>

<p>You also mentioned that your EC's have kept you from having the time to make better grades. I wouldn't emphasize that as an excuse. Time management is important, and academics should come first. Good luck.</p>