<p>My question is, do I look like every other Penn applicant, course-load wise? I know SATs and ECs play a huge factor; but when it comes to grades, am I just another AP nerd who may be top at her own high school but not get recognized when it comes the competition with other Penn applicants? </p>
<p>I'm sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but I want to know where I stand on the larger scale of things, because I'm quite new to the American high-school/college system.</p>
<p>Also, to boost my future app, what are some really outstanding extracurriculars that I should pursue? </p>
<p>Your courseload and grades look great for colleges - that definitely isn’t your weak point. Also, how are you going from precalc to AP Calc BC without Calc AB?</p>
<p>And not to steal your topic, but do you think Penn will forgive me for my bad freshman grades for good soph and junior grades? Freshman year was pretty bad with a 3.3 and 3.6gpa. Soph was 3.9 and 3.9, and junior was 4.0 and 4.0. I took all honors in freshman year (no AP available), all honors and 2 APs sophomore year, and all honors and 5 APs junior year. I’m currently in all honors, 3 APs, and 1 college credit class. I did well on the AP tests (4s and 5s) and self-reported them on the Common App.</p>
<p>^freshman year is usually overlooked by colleges…rank in class tends to be the most critical factor (which is my biggest flaw seeing as there are 700 people in my graduating class and like 30%+ Asian AND I’m Asian too…). AHHH!!!</p>
<p>sghod, Calc BC has the same course material as AB, plus 3 extra chapters.
My school, next year, is thinking of not offering AP Calc AB anymoer, and only offering a double period of AP Calc BC.</p>
<p>And yeah, freshman grades are usually overlooked.
Class rank won’t affect you if you moved schools.</p>
<p>sghod1212, Calc BC is like Calc AB except more. People who take AB and BC are essentially taking the AB course twice and then moving a little farther in BC. I think the typical progression is Honors Precalc to either AB or BC depending on how much the student wishes to put on their plate. Also i don’t think Penn “forgives” you for bad grades early on but i would imagine that they wouldn’t hold them to the same scrutiny as your soph and junior year. If they would forgive you then how is that fair to people who did well their freshman year.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help, and I guess Calc BC (non AP) is treated differently at my school (this is the first year in 7 years that they’re offering it). I’m actually in the class right now, and we’ve completely skipped all of Calc AB, and I assumed that that’s how it was done at all schools.</p>
AND I’m Asian too…). AHHH!!!</p>