Non-numerical admissions factors ED

<p>Hey everyone,
I applied to Penn ED this year and my GPA was the by far the weakest point of my application. Everything else was great (2260 SAT, 740 Math 2, 730 Lit, 760 US History, Great, unique ECs, URM (Hispanic Male, only ED applicant, competitive state, good recommendations), just my GPA was significantly lower than the average admitted student to Penn ED CAS. I don't want to get into it too much, but my sophomore year was the roughest on my GPA. I was dealing with a lot of social anxiety issues, that while not diagnosed or medicated, significantly hampered my studies. In the acceptance thread, I have seen a few kids get accepted with lower than average stats, but they obviously have a ton more hooks (first gen, low income), that I do not have. Why I know GPA can be the most significant part of an applicant, I have heard the Penn ED takes into account non-numerical factors more than they do in RD. Is this true at all? Could my poor GPA have been given some weight by my other factors that were really good? I guess I'm just getting anxious for the next couple of days. Thank you</p>

<p>I’m in the same boat as you. I haven’t heard necessarily that they look at subjective matters more in ED than RD, but I would like to know if anyone has insight. </p>

<p>I meant to say in my post non-competitive state and @pianogeek‌ yeah hopefully soon</p>

<p>Same thing here…My bump was freshman year but ever since then it’s almost been all A’s</p>

<p>Since the ED app pool is much smaller than the RD pool, it would logically make sense to say that Adcoms give more consideration to the nonnumerical piece of the app, but it’s probably not a conscious or calculated move. </p>

<p>Teachers told me my Why Penn essay was one of the best college essays they have ever read before. And I also have a letter of Recommendation from Wharton alum who currently works on Wall Street and asked me to intern. Would these factors along with math and Spanish tutoring, NHS, Student gov., Pres/Founder of FBLA chapter,etc., 3.6 UW GPA (top 15%) 31 ACT with 700 SAT 2 Math 2, be good enough for Wharton ED?</p>

<p>“Good enough?” Not really, if evaluated on a strictly numerical basis. But because everything is so subjective you never really know.</p>