<p>Hi I'm new to CC and like everyone else I'd like to know if I have a chance at UPenn as a biology undergraduate (who wants to pursue med school as an anesthesiologist)? I'm a rising senior and would greatly appreciate the help :x Here's what I got:</p>
<p>Asian female
Out of State
SAT score: 2170; 740 writing, 730 reading, 700 math
GPA (unweighted): 95.395%, roughly a 3.7</p>
<p>AP Courses taken in hs: (scores haven't been released, but I'll update when they do)</p>
<p>Sophomore
AP US History</p>
<p>Junior
AP Language Arts and Composition
AP US History II
AP Calculus AB
AP Biology</p>
<p>Senior (future schedule)
AP Language Arts III
AP Psychology
AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
Academic Team (3 years)
Key Club (3 years, Treasurer position)
MTHS Red Cross Club (2 years, started the club, Secretary position)
Young Science Achievers (3 years, Treasurer position)
National Honor Society (1 year, inducted as junior)
Art Club (4 years)</p>
<p>*PALS is an in-school program which students can take as an alternative to gym if they'd like to help out the disabled students in their school with physical education. It involves reading/writing with the students and playing games. Students are selected through an interview process and staff review.</p>
<p>Thank you for any and all input! If there's anything I can do to boost my chances please feel free to add on.</p>
<p>Applying early is probably your best bet. Go for the higher SAT/ACT score, because I don’t think you’re ECs are up to par. What else do you do with your free time? All those clubs run through your school. Volunteering’s nice, but I can’t see any of your hobbies or who you are through you’re ECs. Good APs, as an Asian female you’re at a slight disadvantage so again, applying ED is your best shot.</p>
<p>@Much2learn I’m taking Bio and Math II in the fall, should I take others?</p>
<p>@smarty99 thanks for the honest tips! I mostly draw and sometimes I get commissioned for individual pieces, but it’s not a regular thing. I travel often (England, France, Italy, Monaco, Philippines, South Korea, to name a few) and read in my spare time. But I don’t think these things are very impressive since I haven’t really done anything to advertise them, y’know? If anything I use art when I volunteer because I decorate individual pillows for patients after surgery, but that’s still within the sphere of volunteer work.</p>
<p>Would it be a last ditch effort to try for a new activity outside of school?</p>
<p>I think it will come down to your recommendations and essays. There are a ton of premed applicants very similar to you that apply each year, so those are the ways you can distinguish yourself.</p>
<p>You are certainly in the running, but what you lack is something that makes you stand out. If you don’t have something specific that will stand out, then I would try to bolster your application in lots of small ways.</p>
<ol>
<li>2,200 is the average SAT at Penn, so 2170 is not impressing them, try to improve it.</li>
</ol>
<p>2.I think those two subject tests are good, you want to do well on them. I would especially want to have an excellent Bio score for pre-med.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Start working this summer on your essays. They need to be good. Get someone good to critique them and comment for you.</p></li>
<li><p>Nail your first semester grades.</p></li>
<li><p>Apply ED.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>@Much2learn thanks Those tips are really helpful, I’ll keep them in mind.</p>
<p>@rhg3rd Is it true that you don’t have to specify race on applications? And regardless, will it really be a deciding factor when getting accepted into a university/college?</p>
<p>@rhg3rd “Not certain ED will make OP stand out.”</p>
<p>Clearly, that is true. I am just saying that without a hook, she will improve her chances by working to improve the overall strength of the application and then apply ED where the acceptance rate is higher.</p>
<p>@ hoipolloi96 I would try to get your SAT to 2250 +. That is a modest goal, but it moves you from below average to above average. If you can get an 800, or close to it, on the Biology subject test, that would show a level of interest in the field. Get a tutor to support you if you need it. Skype tutors are often less expensive and better qualified.</p>
<p>If you can get more experience either shadowing a PA or doctor, that will be helpful. Even getting to talk with them about their jobs and your interests could be helpful. After you have that experience, draft a first attempt at an essay about what you learned from that experience, and how that experience has impacted your desire to study medicine.</p>
Those tips are really helpful, I’ll keep them in mind.</p>