Hi guys! Just wondering what you all think of my chances at Penn with my current stats. I know my GPA is a bit low due to a bump sophomore year, but other than that, my grades are pretty good. Do I have a realistic shot at UPenn with these stats or not? Also, if anyone has any suggestions about how to boost the viability of my profile before ED application time this fall, I’d GREATLY appreciate it! (Should I take SAT II? retake SAT I? Retake ACT?, etc.) Let me know!
SAT: 1540 (740R/800M)
SAT II: I’m thinking about taking Math II, US History, Literature, Bio? (Thoughts?)
UW GPA: 3.66 [3.89 excluding sophomore year, Sophomore Year ~3.3]
GPA w/ Bonus Points (+.018 per Honors.AP Class): 4.1 [Would be 4.4 excluding sophomore year]
Class Rank: 33 out 165 (Top 20%) [Excluding Sophomore Year would be Top 10%]
ACT: 34 [Not sure if I will/should submit this or not]
Awards: Will be a NMSF, AP Scholar, Finishing AP Capstone Diploma
Curriculum: 100% Most Rigorous available at my school, 6 Years of Chinese Study
of APs Taken by End of Senior Year: 11 (Remainder are all Honors Classes where AP is unavailable)
Senior Year Course Load: Varsity Choir, Capella Choir, Religion://, AP Lit, AP Research, AP Gov, AP Stats, AP Biology
Extracurriculars:
Viola - (10 Years, Private Lessons for 10 Years, City-Wide Advanced Philharmonic Symphony, 3 Years Section Leader, Founder of Only Stringed Ensemble/Orchestra at School)
Tennis - (10 Years [4 Years School Team] 3 Years Varsity, Team Captain, #2 Singles, 2x State-Qualifier, Regionally-Ranked USTA Player, Several Local Tournament Championships/Placements, Team Top 5 in State)
Musical Theatre - (7 Years, Summer Camps, Civic Theatre Acting/Singing/Dancing Classes, Leading Role in School Production(s))
Model UN - (10, 11, 12; Won Outstanding/Best Delegate Award)
Math Team - (11, 12; Team Captain, State Math Competitions, 2nd Place Individual Event, Team 1st Place Overall)
School’s Stringed Ensemble - (11, 12; Leading Violist, Founder/President)
Varsity Choir/Vocal Performance - (12, Previously only Did Musical Theatre but a newly discovered passion, Leading Bass In School’s Exclusive Audition-Only Capella Group, Private Vocal Lessons)
Quiz Bowl - (11, 12; Co-Captain, State-Qualifying Team)
Chinese Club - (9, 10, 11, 12) [I’m totally dedicated to learning Chinese, should I make that clear on my App?]
Job/Volunteering: Brief Private/Paid ACT Tutor, no Volunteering (should I change that?)
Essay(s): 9/10
Why Penn: Probably like an 8/10 (Talk about interest in specfic interdisciplinary major)
Teach Recs: 8-10/10 (Will be good for sure but unsure about the passion in them, both could definitely write me a great one but they could both also write me a generic one, haven’t read either)
Counselor Recommendation: 10/10 [Super Close to her, definitely great]
Intended Major: PPE (Philosophy, Politics, Economics), Minor in Mandarin Chinese
Gender: Male
State: MI
Race: White
Income: 130k-180k
School Type: Private Catholic
Hooks: (LGBT?, Essay about my struggling gay identity/orientation in a conservative environment at my high school)