NEED to know my chances for ED

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hey all. I’m new to this board. I think UPenn is a good fit for me and I want to apply there early decision. I’m thinking of majoring in Chemistry. What are my chances??</p>

<p>Asian, female
Rising senior in a very competitive public HS in NY</p>

<p>GPA: 4.1W (out of 4.3) 98/100
Rank: school doesn’t rank but definitely top 10% (there are 530 seniors)
SAT: 800 CR, 690 M, 780 W (taking it over for the math)
SATIIs: 760 Chem, 720 Math IIC (retaking. hopefully 800), 730 Physics, retaking Bio-M
APs: Euro 5, US 5, Psych 5, English Language 4, Physics 4
Senior classes (APs): Calc BC, Micro, Lit, Chem, US Gov., Spanish
Taking the hardest classes</p>

<p>Honors/Awards:
Intel STS candidate
Siemens Westinghouse candidate
AP Scholar with Distinction? <–when do they announce these
National Honor Society
National Society for High School Scholars
National Spanish Honor Society
Honor Roll
All-State band alternate
All-County band</p>

<p>ECs:
In school:
Tri-M National Music Honor Society - Officer
Varsity Swimming, 4 years
Yearbook Club, 1 year - Student Life Editor
Varsity Winter Track, 1 year
Future Leaders of America, 3 years
Marching Band, 4 years</p>

<p>Outside school/Community Service:
Play in an orchestra, 4 years, principal flute (150 hours)
Volunteered at a hospital (50 hours)
FLA (3 years)
Chinese school (6 hours)
Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer Walkathon (is this worth putting?)</p>

<p>Summer:
Precollege at Brown U.
Yearbook Camp
Travel to China and Japan</p>

<p>Work:
Research assistant at a university (5 months)
Intern in a research lab for Intel competition (8-9 months)</p>

<p>Recs will be very good. Essay on first experience for Penn is, I think, very original and unique and something that people wouldn’t expect me to write. It’s…edgy. (is that good?)</p>

2

<p>What do you mean by STS and Westinghouse candidate?? Does that mean you actually won anything or you're just saying you will send in a paper?</p>

<p>Other than that your scores are above average, and your ECs are decent, but not phenomonal. Write an essay that'll make you stand out, and then you'll have a decent chance.</p>

3

<p>It means that I'm applying for both competitions. I think I have a good chance of becoming an Intel semifinalist. But the results won't come out by the time I send out my application so I figured it would make sense if I put it there..</p>

4

<p>cool. just out of curiosity, which high school do you go to?</p>

5

<p>Candidacy is not an honor. Anyone can be a candidate.</p>

6

<p>i go to this high school on long island, one of the top. OK, thanks for all your input =)</p>

7

<p>lol, how come so many people on long island do some type of research, and then expect to get Siemens Westinghouse or Intel?</p>

<p>Maybe I'll put candidate for the Nobel Prize in Medicine on my app ;)</p>

8

<p>well, the truth is, we just have good connections and resources. last year my school had a finalist and three semifinalists, and one of them went to the international intel fair. then one year there were ten semifinalists, and half of them got into MIT. ;)</p>

<p>just wondering abhim, why are my ECs "decent"? i have a few of them and i significantly contribute to them. it's better than just having a laundry list.</p>

9

<p>By decent, I mean in relation to the rest of the applicant pool, which you can naturally expect to be strong. The term "decent" means that you're ECs qualify you as a competitive applicant, not that your ECs are weak or limited in any way (you are dedicated to a few activities, which is better than faking a lot of activites). Conversely, your ECs won't make you necessary "stand out", unless you do get Siemens/Intel/ISEF (though the band activities, while common to many people in the applicant pool, do help). Hope that clears it up.</p>

<p>What school do you go to by the way, one of those North Shore schools with fully-fledged research classes? Just wondering...</p>

10

<p>cookiemunster, I would definitely bring up your Critical Reading score.</p>

<p>JUST KIDDING.</p>

<p>You sound awesome. Math could use work. But hey, I'm also a <strong>hopeful</strong> ED applicant, and unless I'm already in to Penn (cross fingers) then I can't really cite anything because I don't have the authority to do so (yet).</p>

<p>Good luck with your apps =)</p>

11

<p>Aww thanks rohan :) Good luck with your apps too</p>