Penn= Way out of my reach?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I <3 the University of Pennsylvania. However, I’m not sure if I have a shot, really. :-/
Can you tell me if Penn is extremely out of reach? I know my SAT’s aren’t too hot. </p>

<p>Female
Rank: 1/100
GPA (unweighted): ~98.0
Courseload: 5 APs senior year (most rigorous courseload offered at our poor school— our school is pretty bad, quite honestly. 75% of our students are economically disadvantaged–so expectations are quite low)</p>

<p>SAT I:
CR: 660 Math: 670 Writing: 630
SAT II’s: will take in June</p>

<p>Athletics:
-Cross-Country (4 year letterwinner & district qualifier , captain junior and senior year, Division IV Champions in 2007)
-Track & Field (4 year letterwinner)
-Swimming (9th grade)
-Indoor Track Club (10,11,12)</p>

<p>Academics
-Gifted Program (9,10,11, 12)
-National Honor Society
-Envirothon Team (9,10,11,12)
-Math Competition Team (11,12)</p>

<p>Clubs:
-Spanish Club (9,10,11,12) (will likely become officer next year)
-Shop Club (9,10,11,12) (will likely become officer next year)
-Interact Club (9,10,11,12) (likely to become officer next year)
-Talent Search (9,10,11,12)
-Nutrition Advisory Council (9,10,11,12)</p>

<p>*Freshman Class Secretary
*Sophomore Class Treasurer</p>

<p>Volunteer
-Relay for Life (10,11,12)
-ACTION Youth Group
-Church lector
-Nursing home volunteer (founded the program in school)
-Hospital volunteer
-Special Olympics volunteer</p>

<p>Jobs
-Swimming scorekeeper</p>

<p>Awards
-Distinguished Honor student every marking period in HS
-Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership seminar
-2006 Hugh O Brian Youth Leadership Ambassador
-US National Mathematics Award winner
-US National Science Award winner
(likely to get September or October Student of the Month for next year, too)</p>

<p>Summers:
Muhlenberg Brain Camp- spent a week at Muhlenberg College learning about neuroscience
Daniel Fox Youth Scholars Institute- spent a week learning about General Psychology
(both pertain to my prospective majors)</p>

<p>Recs: Should be very strong.
Essays: I’m confident in my writing abilities. I have a few interesting life experiences that I hopefully can bring to life on paper. I’m going to try and avoid the cliches.</p>

<p>I know my SAT’s are a bit under par for Penn, but I’m well-rounded && I really have a strong desire to go to U Penn. </p>

<p>Is Penn really far out of reach for me because of my SATs/ lack of anything that makes me really stand out???</p>

2

<p>hmm, I'd like to know if YOU're economically disadvantaged, and your race?</p>

3

<p>meadweb asked the right question....are you also disadvantaged? Your stats are great as long as you get that SAT up to par. A word of advice from experience: nothing really seems to stand out. If you want to improve your chances, get really involved and/or make big difference in one of those activities. Do something different. Schools like Penn are looking for diversity and uniqueness in their applicants. </p>

<p>Best of luck to you!</p>

4

<p>no, i wouldn't really consider myself disadvantaged at all. </p>

<p>and i'm white, which doesnt help with AA</p>

5

<p>The SATs arent terrible, but try to improve them. That will help you a lot.</p>

6

<p>it looks like grade inflation @_@ but good luck</p>

7

<p>It's not grade inflation, all the SAT proves is if you're good at taking this test.</p>

<p>But, I'd say try taking more practice SATs, take it again, and hope for the best.
None of us are qualified to tell you you're chances, but def. apply!</p>

8

<p>Penn definately looks at more than tests. In last years threads you can see a lot of people getting in with SATs in your neighborhood or even a little lower. They definatley look at the candidate as a whole. </p>

<p>On that note, you may want to pursue some leadership positions within your EC's this next year. You have some in sports but you might try to expand into leadership in some other EC areas. </p>

<p>Also, what state are you applying from? Geography can sometimes provide a minor boost as Penn desires a geographically diverse student body. When you're a WASP, you take what you can get. :)</p>

<p>But again, none of us are admissions counselors, just students like you. We are just giving advice based on what we've read and heard, but it's what Penn thinks of you that will count in the end. </p>

<p>Keep plugging away and don't give up.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

9

<p>You're lucky because Penn really doesn't give a damn about SATs. Plenty of people with very very low SATs got in. Penn, however, does care a LOT about gpa, so you're on the right track</p>

10

<p>Do they really not weight SATs heavily? What about SAT IIs?... My SAT is really good, but my SAT IIs are in the 600s. </p>

<p>ARGH! Less than eleven days. Freaking out.</p>

<p>It's nice to see another distance runner interested in neuroscience! Your stats, overall, seem pretty similar to mine- my grades/test scores seem a little better; your extra curriculars seem better. So hey, I'll let you know if I get in!...</p>

<p>I'm wishing you all the best. If you really do want to go to Penn, APPLY EARLY! I sure as hell wish I had.</p>