My theoretical chances for CAS/Wharton

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hello Everyone, my first post here :)</p>

<p>I would like to ask couple of questions and I would highly appreciate honest answers.</p>

<p>Right now I am a junior male. I have chosen UPenn as my absolutely first choice, I have a great passion for it and I really like it. </p>

<p>I am an international student, Russian with Jewish roots, however immigrated 5 years ago to Czech Republic. Attending private international school which is highly, very highly competetive . We are 5 year gymnasium(year 5 is senior year), where year 2 and 3 are IGCSE years, we take IGCSE exams at the end of year 3. We don't have a term "highschool". Years 1-2-3 is lower school and years 4-5 is upper school. We do not have neither GPA or class ranks. However, in years 4-5 everyone must do IB Diploma program mandatory, this is our usual curriculum. Classes consist of about 60 people(for 1 year). Every year, school sends top students(usually 5) almost always to British Oxbridge universities(Cambridge,Oxford..). What I try to say is that our school is really competetive. My first language is Russian, however English is fluent and I am doing IB A1(as first language) HL. </p>

<p>I have not yet taken any SAT test, however I think, scoring 2200+/750+(On SATII) will not be problematic. </p>

<p>1) Will they consider the fact that in years 2 and 3 most of preparation went for the IGCSE, and not for usual end-of-year exams? Will this play a role? Another question, would they still suggest me as a candidate if my average grades from year 3 improved significantly to very good(IB 40-42) in years 5 and 6? I am very afraid that my B's and 3 or 4 C's from year 3 would not give me a chance.</p>

<p>2) Since Wharton is looking for candidates who show genuine interest in business, would they consider the fact that I created a successful business which brought me financial independence since I was 15? I am paying for my school since this year, about 15'500$ annually and my business showed over 50'000$ profit since February of this year. I could possibly explain my bad grades in year 3 because I really, really spent a lot of time on business, about 80-120 hours every month, couldn't I? I really left the business now to pursue my studies and improve my grades significantly, so I can have a chance for my dream college. Could I sound reasonable writing about this in my essay?</p>

<p>And again, would you suggest if I am absolutely crazy about attending UPenn, wouldn't it be more safe to apply to CAS ED, instead of Wharton? And after 1 year of studies, try to transfer?</p>

<p>Thanks a lot. Also, would a proof from a highly respected organisation, such as Mensa foundation, of my IQ, be a plus? I did a lot of tests and scored 140 consistently.</p>

<p>I am really planning to go to UPenn this spring of my junior year, ask the questions etc.</p>

<p>Also I would like to ask if the fact I know 3 languages very well(almost as my mother tongue, Russian, English, Czech) be a plus? I am also an intermediate at Spanish, but I plan to improve it by taking 7th IB course in senior year. </p>

<p>What would a best spent summer? Internship, maybe have internship in Spanish, where I could master my spanish?</p>

<p>Also, I have considered a gap year to improve my EC's and to gain more work experience. Also I would take my IB November retakes no matter what I get, just to try and get higher score.</p>

<p>Thanks a TON for all the answers, I really appreciate that.</p>

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<p>If you are who you say you are, a superstar, then have no fear, the end is near. Thats a line by lupe fiasco, and I think it fits perfectly here.</p>

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<p>I am really not exaggeratings, my grades are far from being perfect, however I am pretty sure I will get at least 41 IB predicted. I have absolutely no clue about ECA’s, not many of them in our school, so my bet will be something unique what I will organize and promote myself.</p>

4

<p>Do not, i repeat, do not apply to CAS with the intention of transferring. It’s a lot easier said than done. Just apply to Wharton, you’d be a solid candidate. Definitely talk about your business in the essay to shed more light on your grade drop</p>

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<p>So do you think my business will be considered as a strong hook?</p>

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<p>Defo Wharton mate! I did IGCSEs and am doing the IB. What were your IGCSEs btw? You did CIE yeah? Also what are your subjects at IB, are you doing a bilingual diploma because you might even want to go Huntsman if you can get 2200/750’s and are interested in studying the business environment of a particular region as well.</p>

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<p>Yep i did CIE IGCSE’s. Again, got mediocre results HOWEVER I can still do retakes, As my school explained, they will report only my improved grades. I got all B’s except drama and geography, got A from english literature. My usual grades from year 3 are almost same as for IG, however got D I think from Czech, however it wasnt mandatory for me, since I was on international programme. I am really afraid of it. Seems like I will get billingual diploma. My subjects are:
English A1 HL
Russian A1 SL
Economics HL
Mathematics HL
Physics SL( plan to take HL)
History SL</p>

<p>Also I plan to take 7th subject Further Maths SL in my senior grade. So would 40-42 predicted play a good role and be enough? Would it compensate my bad year 3 grades? </p>

<p>Btw what about my business, could be strong hook?</p>

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<p>Guys, especially international students, could you be so kind and tell me if any of those might work? What would be if I would take 7th subject?</p>

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<p>Business is not a strong hook. Quite a few Wharton applicants have started one up.</p>

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<p>yeah but he said that his business financially supports him, and that revenue is over 50,000 dollars, I would say that is very “hooky”, I mean how many teens applying to Wharton, or applying anywhere can do that. I would say very few. Just my two cents.</p>

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<p>I mean I could possibly explain my bad grades from year 3( soph?), because I truly started my business back then, and since February, my revenue was growing every month. Would I be looked at if I just improved my grades to the point of 40-42 IB predicted( 37-40 without my Extended Essay/TOK)? I still plan to re-open my business over holidays, to earn money for my school. I also would like to try out FOREX and usual stock exchange, however, since its allowed for 18+ only, I would have a hard time, or won’t I? I could do it under my dad’s account, no doubt, would Wharton see this as a plus? Also, will try to do UPenn Summer Camp in order to show genuine interest. Just that my grades from year 3 make me feel sick. I will try my best, I already chose Wharton as choice #1. Will apply ED ofc.</p>

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<p>Mate Further Maths is ROUGH, I do Maths HL and am finding my self partially overwhelmed. For those of you who don’t know, Further Maths is far beyond that Calc BC stuff which is itself slightly less than Maths HL. If you can handle Further Maths, and can still get 40-2 in the IB then you certainly deserve a place.</p>

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<p>Well thank you once more for the response, I will do my best just to get those points, will hire maths teacher etc.</p>

<p>I will stop the business for now, will do over holidays, I plan it to bring me at least about 30-50k more before I admit in senior year. Since I am 16 now and I am really really genuine about Wharton, I even suggested I will take a gap year if I wont get accepted in my senior year to the top schools( So basically ED Wharton, MIT Sloan, Princeton, Stanford I think). I would do November IB retakes just to get my points up and would use the time to study, maybe for the business and also to get some work experience. Business is business, but I think I will have greater chances if I got some internship in the bank.</p>

<p>I am 80% sure I WILL get at least 5 on Further Maths, which is obviously an achievement, since I would do 7 subjects and FM is just way too hard.</p>

<p>Btw, chehk, what Wharton and other Ivies would ask from us, if we dont have neither GPA or class rank? Transcripts of grades? Well, for last 3 years? Like senior, juniour, and year we did IGCSE? Really really worried that I was lazy in year 3… :(</p>

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<p>“I have chosen UPenn as my absolutely first choice”</p>

<p>Stopped reading there, if you type like that anywhere on your application then it’s a for sure NO.</p>

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<p>Obviously I mistyped. What I truly meant was that I chose Wharton as my top choice, absolutely would sound very bad since it would seem like I am too desperate for the school. Of course I got about 10 universities, 3-4 reaches, 3-4 matches and 2 safety ones.</p>

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<p>Your English is wonderful- I wish I had foreign language skills to parallel yours- but if your typing is indicative of your level of fluency, it may be harder than you imagine to achieve a 2200+ SAT score. You might be able to achieve a high score on the Critical Reading section of the SAT based on comprehension alone, but the Writing section is based largely on grammar and mechanics. The upside of a low Writing score is that most schools don’t consider it as important as the Math and Reading sections; nevertheless, it would affect your overall score. Also, keep in mind that a high SAT II score in your native language is usually not accepted as one of the two required subject tests.</p>

<p>That said, you sound like a great candidate! I agree with one of the previous posters that a business started by an applicant is a fairly common “hook” amongst Wharton hopefuls, but the fact that yours is creating so much revenue seems like a definite plus. In fact- after a considerable amount of thread-browsing here on CC- you seem to be one of the most impressive students! I’d caution you also, however, to remember that the admission rate for international applicants is usually lower than that of domestic applicants, and financial aid for internationals is normally sparse. Part of Penn’s charter, even, charges the school with the responsibility of educating “local” students; Philadelphia high schoolers have an edge in the admissions process. </p>

<p>Best of luck in the future! I hope that this response has been informative and helpful.</p>

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<p>Thanks a lot, I aprecciate your post!</p>

<p>Anyway, I am really really worried about my bad grades from last year.</p>

<p>Any good hooks to get in junior year? Maybe internship, or?</p>

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<p>Really need some opinions :(</p>

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<p>Bump it up</p>

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<p>Anyway, I was curious if it would be better to get some work experience in a company rather than continuing my business?</p>