PENN - Can I make it?

<p>Although the majority of my stats are good, I worry about my SAT I score a great deal. I am taking it again so hopefully I can improve my verbal. So tell me what you think my chances are.</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<ul>
<li>SAT: 2140, Math:780 Writing:710 Verbal:650</li>
<li>SAT IIs: 770 Math II, 740 Physics, 740 Bio E</li>
<li>GPA: 3.96, 6.5 weighted (my school does a cumulative weighting system)</li>
<li>Rank: 2/140, 14/9576 county</li>
<li>Other stats: 4 Ap 5s, 5 Ap 4s. National AP Scholar. IB Diploma candidate</li>
</ul>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<ul>
<li>Essays: Wrote it on my greatest influence. My response was Homer Hickam, from the movie October Sky. He inspired me to start high power rocketry, which I will describe later in my hook.</li>
<li>Teacher Recs: Awesome! Best in 14 years, and the teachers know me very well.</li>
<li>Counselor Rec: Best in 30 years.</li>
<li>Hook (if any): I started a rocketry club at my school to gain support and spread the hobby of rocketry. I have a business of sorts that sells rocket parts, shirts, and food in order to fund large rocket projects. The business makes about 150-200 dollars a week. We have almost 100 members now, a launch once a month, have broken the sound barrier, flown a mile high, etc. The club is high power certified and has been featured in the local newspaper as well as a national rocketry company’s magazine. We also have a outreach program to a camp for abused children. They build their own rockets and launch them at the end of the day. Overall, the club is a lot of fun because it is social. A majority of the school goes to the launches and everyone has a lot fun. I am hoping that Penn sees my passion for rocketry, and my desire to spread it to others. Also, I hope they recognize the leadership roles I mus undertake, and the business knowledge I have gained from running it.</li>
</ul>

<p>Location/Person:</p>

<ul>
<li>State or Country: Florida</li>
<li>School Type: IB Program</li>
<li>Ethnicity: Jewish</li>
<li>Gender: male</li>
</ul>

<p>Other ECs: Cross Country team, County and State Science Fair winner, Science Bowl National participant, guitar/garage band, lead techinician at an acting studio, Mu Alpha Theta participant.</p>

<p>Leadership Roles: Hillsborough Rocketry Club Founder/President, Science Bowl Co-Founder/President, Jewish Awareness Club Treasurer, and National Science Honor Society VP, and Mu Alpha Theta Statistics Captain.</p>

<p>General Comments: I really hope my SAT doesnt eliminate me.</p>

<p>I LOVE October Sky.
I think you have a pretty good chance.</p>

<p>Thanks, it really is an amazing movie. I first watched it in 6th grade and it inspired me to go out and launch rockets.</p>

<p>another ransom kid?</p>

<p>you're an OK candidate as it stands. I think your 'hook' is legit, but the Verbal SAT is low enough that it could be an app killer.</p>

<p>Ya I agree, Im taking the SAT again and hopefully can improve it to a 700, then I think I will have a good shot.</p>

<p>Your test scores are good enough, just write killer essays.</p>

<p>Ya if you want you can read my essay and give me some feedback. Its pretty good but I dont know where it stands in the Ivys. Thanks for the response.</p>

<p>mitch- though ive never seen october sky i think that you will come off as very passionate. i dont think a 2140 will eliminate you, you sound very unique and i think penn would be pleased to have a kid like you in their class.</p>

<p>Please, this is driving me crazy. Let's make a new rule for College Confidential. No rhetorical "chances" threads. Come on, are you honestly worried about getting in? You can't be serious. I'm sorry, I'm just so tired of seeing students with such impressive resumés asking about their chances. So if you founded a club, got something like AP National Scholar, etc., don't ask people what your chances are. Chances threads should be used for actual borderline applicants, those who are good students but don't stand out or have some amazing hook. Thank you.</p>