Penn Chances: C/O 2014 International

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>General Things
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: East Indian (international)
Country: India (but living in Singapore for 16 years)
Current Grade: Senior Year (in singapore, schools run from Jan-Dec)
Financial Aid: Not applying for any sort of FA</p>

<p>Grades
GPA: 3.8 out of 5.0
(RISING TREND -> Freshman: 2.5/5.0 Sophomore 3.5/5.0 Junior: 4.2/5.0 Senior: 4.79/5.0)
-Very tough international magnet school specializing in Math & Science</p>

<p>** SAT Reasoning Test**
SAT Critical Reading - 770
SAT Math - 800
SAT Writing – 800
SAT Composite (M+CR) – 1570
SAT Composite (M+CR+W) – 2370</p>

<p>SAT Subject Tests
SAT Math Level 2 - 800
SAT Physics - 790
SAT Chemistry – 780
SAT Biology M - 770</p>

<p>AP Tests
AP Calculus AB – 5
AP Chemistry – 5
AP Physics B – 5
AP Biology – 5
AP Calculus BC – 5
AP Statistics – 5</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities
- Captain: Debate Team
- President: Creative Writing Circle
- Editor: School Yearbook
- Editor: School Newsletter (we don't publish too actively tho)
- Editor: Official Newsletter of Singapore Int'l Mathematics Competition
- Captain: Scrabble Team (placed 3rd nationally in 2007, several individual awards at national level too)
- Head Delegate: Model UN
- Tennis Team
- National Education Ambassador
- 300ish Community Service Hours
- Creative Arts Program (very selective program for writers and poets)
- Research on atomic spectroscopy
- Research on oxygen's behavior on palladium and applications in fuel cells
- Interned at a renowned museum of biodiversity research
- 2 Commendatory Awards @ Commonwealth Int'l Essay Writing Competition
- Gold (Drama) @ Singapore Youth Festival
- Best Delegate @ Singapore Model United Nations 2009</p>

2

<p>I would say Huntsman program material. (Or BF scholars or whatever other perks out there at Penn).</p>

3

<p>DSI, Huntsman really appeals to me but do note my GPA. It’s dismal.</p>

4

<p>Does not matter, trust me.</p>

5

<p>Alright, so what should I emphasize in my application?</p>

6

<p>What are your educational goals?</p>

7

<p>Well I’d like to do something at the cross between Pol Sci, Economics and Math. Hopefully a career in academia or law.</p>

8

<p>Put that in your commonapp essay, making sure you stress that you have taken the most rigorous classes offered at your ultra-competitive school.</p>

<p>For the Why Penn essay emphasize personal growth (both tangible i.e. the rising trend in GPA and intangible i.e. compassion, care for others, giving back to the community etc. through some 300 hours of service). Do <em>not</em> use those exact words (compassion, care for others, etc.) but subtly hint at them. Admissions people are not dumbasses, they get it. Link your diverse areas of interest with Penn’s educational philosophy (just read their mission statements and message from the Dean).</p>

<p>I know you have to write a little something for Huntsman. I am too lazy to check up on it but I think you can figure it out. The autobiography question is completely optional. If you feel one of your ECs is not represented well in your other essays, I suggest you do it.</p>

<p>To be perfectly honest I just had a huge meal and am feeling rather sleepy right now. I kind of get this feeling that what I am stating the obvious and not offering some fresh thought, I promise to get back at you some time later when my idea comes.</p>

<p>P.S. Be truthful, show character, values, and reflective qualities. Understand Penn’s educational philosophy and gear your essays that way. More specific questions can be posted here or just PM me.</p>