Penn Fisher M&T Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

Hello everyone!

I am currently a junior at a private school in Texas. The Penn M&T program is my top choice school as I apply this coming fall. Academically I have all 90s+ (except for one 87 :-/) and primarily 4.0s in my classes especially has high school has progressed. My school has a 3 AP limit which I have maxed out Junior year and will Senior year as well. Here are my stats:

SAT: 1460 (New SAT)
GPA (UW): 3.9/4.0
GPA (W): 4.03
**my school does not rank beyond top 10% (pretty sure I am on the border for that, but my class is very small and I am definitely within the top 10 students)

Extracurriculars: basketball/volleyball (fresh/soph) and competitive rowing (soph/junior/senior), photography (I have won many awards), various clubs relating to leadership/business

Leadership: NHS president, NAHS secretary, Latin club leadership, photography club leadership

Volunteer/Work Experience: Internship for marketing company, interned for school to help organize gala, shelter animal foster, volunteer at thrift shoppe that sponsors school (will have around 300-350 hrs total by application time), freelance graphic designer

Course load: too lazy to list out but basically advanced/honors/AP classes at every opportunity

Additional: I was selected to attend a city wide entrepreneurship camp and my team (I was CEO) finished in the top 3 teams/I will be attending a selective engineering camp at the University of Texas this summer/I have taken courses related to entrepreneurship, marketing and computer science

Application Stuff: I am a good writer and I have plenty of creative essay ideas already so that should be a strength on my application/Recs-I have a very close relationship with my former chemistry teacher who will also be teaching a research class I am taking next year so that should be a solid rec especially since he is well respected in the science field

Thank you to whoever bothers to read this! I feel like I have a solid resume for the business aspect, however, I might be a little weaker on the tech/engineering side as far as my resume goes. But I do have good grades in those types of classes. Feel free to comment/provide suggestions! I am hoping to find an internship or job this summer, but due to international travel, we will see…

Have a great day everyone!

PS—I will be applying RD, not ED!

2

As you may know, the M&T program at Penn is the most competitive at the university. They only take about 50 undergraduates each year. I’m not too familiar with the specifics, but I’m willing to bet around 40% of those 50 spots (about 20 students) get accepted in the ED round. The others who get in RD will be the most incredible students in the whole country. They’ll have won Intel awards, international math competitions, built companies with $50k in revenue, designed apps, etc…all while getting close to perfect grades and test scores.

Your grades are fine. Your SAT score is a little on the low end. But your ECs don’t really demonstrate that you love science and technology. If I were you, I’d apply RD for the College of Arts and Sciences or SEAS at Penn, where you’d have a better shot since not even the best applicant can think they’ll get into M&T.

3

Thank you for your reply @doorrealthe. I was hoping to go a business related track. Are my stats any better for Wharton (even though it’s just as competitive)?

4

I think Wharton is a tiny bit easier (still insanely difficult) to get into ED. RD it will be nearly impossible as well. I actually applied ED to Wharton and got deferred and then rejected so if you want to check my profile out then go ahead. I think the biggest factor holding you back is your SAT score. Also, try getting a leadership position in one of your sports. It’ll help a lot if you’re captain of the basketball and/or volleyball team.

5

SAT score is not a big factor. Your profile is good. However, There is no compelling reason to have you in M&T, which is super competitive, especially in RD round.

6

@doorrealthe @f2000sa Took a look at the SEAS website and I really like the Networked & Social Systems degree! Any thoughts/opinions on the program and would that be a better choice admissions wise given my stats?

7

I disagree. A 1460 on the new SAT converts to an old SAT score of about 2090 and an an ACT score of about 31-32. This is around the 25th percentile for students who were accepted at Penn.

The major sounds interesting - write essays that explain why you love Networked & Social Systems and how it would fit you and you’ll have a good shot

8

@doorrealthe wrote: “Your ECs don’t really demonstrate that you love science and technology.”

I think that’s the biggest issue. Successful M&T applicants really shine in terms of showing this (in addition to having stellar grades, test scores, etc.).

9

I would say your SAT is too low and as said above, your interest in science/tech is not obvious.