<p>At my school in rural eastern Washington, people almost never apply to the top schools. The top students almost always go the University of Washington (a school I think is awesome), and rarely even discuss the prospect of going out of state. As a result I can't seem to get a good indication of how competitive I am as an applicant, seems my counselor hasn't even heard of Penn before.</p>
<p>So here goes, what is the strength of my application?</p>
<p>Details</p>
<br>
<p>GPA: 3.957</p>
<p>Coursework: More rigorous than possible, several friends and I skipped a grade in math (not too hard here lol, but we were the first) and in german I am taking a course from Central Wash U over the web, these are both precedents. Do these things bode well? or will it look bad still considering my school's poor academics?</p>
<p>number of APs: 4-5 (depending on how my german teacher names the course) that is the maximum number offered, though (due to schedule restrictions) I haven't been able to take a couple of the others. scores = AP cal AB 5, APUSH 4</p>
<p>ACT: 34 (first and only take) sent in already SAT: prolly not submitting seems I took it twice, but 2130 (I dislike this test lol) SATII: 730 Math II (great considering I skipped precal and that is what the test is over, my trig isn't too great) 730 US History (how did that happen lol)</p>
<br>
<p>Extra Curricular:
I think this is the strongest part of my app</p>
<br>
<p>Varsity Swimming: I'm Captain and I was "undercaptain" junior year (some weird position because our real captains were kicked off so I kinda filled the hole) I have gone to state each year, best placing = 13th (does this look good in any way other than athletic recruitment?)</p>
<p>Band: I'm Drum Major (runs the band, conducts etc) Secretary (does nothing but take attendence lol) and First Chair.</p>
<p>Chess Club: Founded it with a friend, it was huge for a while but we didn't really promote so we lost a lot of our members (wrote Founder on app)</p>
<p>Jazz band: First chair, some random (and really not prestigious) solo awards</p>
<br>
<p>... other crap, I tend not to join many random clubs though. I really dislike it when people join clubs only for the name. (As I have experienced people joining chess club lol)</p>
<br>
<p>last thing = Community service, I coached 2 younger kids' swim teams during the summer</p>
<p>Awards = not many, though I did technically participate in a FIRST robotics team that achieved 1st at state, BUT I COULDN"T GO TO THE COMPETITION because it was the same day as state for swimming! I will discuss with my team mates to see if I should put it on my app. Any opinions?</p>
<br>
<p>Essay: one is written about my inaction during the event that led to the captain's suspension (sophmore year) and how it changed my idealism and cemented my desire for leadership. very truthful
Supp = kinda started, should be fairly good</p>
<p>A couple last questions:
No one does very well on the SAT or ACT here (other than a friend this year who got 35 / 2300, a first a my school) , so I have no idea how competitive my scores are. In particular, I know my ACT is top 1%, but is that good for Penn? ( I did a little math and it seems to be no, since 1% of 1.5 mill is 15,000 people) </p>
<p>I'm kinda a lurker on these forums, you guys have been helpful with your various comments and I'm sure you will be this time as well
Thanks</p>