Please Chance me for UPenn

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi~ I'm applying ED (needing basically max financial aid) to UPenn, but I am also interested in applying RD to Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, UMich, etc for biochemistry/chemistry/biology.</p>

<p>Race: Korean
Gender: M
Location: NJ
College Class Year: 2012
High School: Public</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>GPA - Unweighted: 3.8
GPA - Weighted: 4.8
Class Rank: 5
Class Size: 350</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>SAT I Math: 720
SAT I Critical Reading: 800
SAT I Writing: 760</p>

<p>SAT II U.S. History: 800
SAT II Math Level 2 (IIC): 770
SAT II Chemistry: 800
SAT II Biology: 730</p>

<p>AP US Hist: 5
AP Chem: 5</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>-Summer Research at Garcia MRSEC in SUNY Stony Brook --> Siemens, STS, ISEF; Through my mentorship under a professor and a graduate student, I investigated faster, cheaper, and more user-friendly methods to detect cancer and Alzheimer's disease by constructing a polymeric sensor.
-School Radio Station- Founding DJ Host and Program manager
-NJ Science League- Bio I, Chem I, Chem II
-NJ Math League
-Community service at center for handicapped- teacher for basic skills
-Hospital volunteer- aide to nurses, doctors
-National Honors Society- Director of Peer Mentoring
-Amateur (Ham) Radio Licensed operator
-Jazz Band and Improvisation Club-1st principal chair alto saxophone
-Biotechnology/Engineering summer programs at SUNY SB (10th) and University of Toronto (9th)</p>

<p>Work Experience:</p>

<p>-Salesman at parents' store in mall --> 20hrs/wk, 52wks/yr</p>

<p>Awards:</p>

<p>-Siemens Competition Semifinalist in Math, Science and Technology in 2007
-Top 10 Individual in NJ Science League in 2005: Biology I
-Honorable recognition for high school science research in 2007 from NY Senator Hillary Clinton
-Honorable recognition for high school science research in 2007 from NY Senator Chuck Schumer</p>

<p>My guidance counselor said she wrote an excellent rec, and my professor wrote me a rec as well. My chemistry teacher seemed impressed but I am not sure about his rec, and my english teacher's rec is up in the air (I got the only A+'s in his class in junior year).</p>

<p>But most importantly, thank you for any help you can provide~ :D I appreciate it!</p>

2

<p>I say you have a great shot at all of the schools, but I would definitely throw in some safeties. You can never be so sure when it comes to college admissions.</p>

3

<p>hey damian</p>

4

<p>Mathwiz90, get outta here XD.... This is important stuff!~ Btw don't say my real name...
Sak09, I did apply to Rutgers and University of Illinois Urbana Champaign as safeties.</p>

5

<p>Nice stats. Did you do your research over this summer? But, how did you score top 10 in state in Biology I and only a 730 on the SAT II? Everything's pretty nice otherwise. Your only weakness (aside from some minor, inexplicable discrepancies) seems to be your lackluster courseload and GPA. For example, my GPA is slightly higher than yours but on a tough system (A=95% and above) with 3 more APs than you've taken (I took Chem, Phys B, Calc BC, Eng Lang, and Comp Sci A). I hope you get into UPenn b/c if you do, it means I'll have a good chance as well haha. Good luck anyway.</p>

6

<p>Yeah... My school only provides AP chemistry, AP Comp Sci, and AP USH as available AP's for junior year, and this senior year, I have been taking AP Calc BC, AP Physics, AP Biology, AP Modern Euro History, and AP English. Thus, in my school track, I have been taking the hardest course load in my grade.</p>

7

<p>bump~ sry but i'm so impatient... i'm applying tomorrow~</p>

8

<p>You are definitely not wasting an application by applying to U-Penn Early Decision. Best of luck!
You definitely have good chances at the other schools, just to let you know.</p>