<p>Hi, I'm a rising senior. Please chance me for Wharton ED. Thank you in advance!</p>
<p>Ethnicity: Indian/Pakistani (To tell you the truth I have a hard time defining myself as one or the other. I just know I’m Punjabi)</p>
<p>Gender: Male</p>
<p>School: A very selective boarding school in the Northeast. Sends many grads to ivies and top schools. </p>
<p>Rank: My school does not rank, but I am in the top 15-20% out of 250-300 kids</p>
<p>GPA: Our GPA runs on a 6 point scale. I have a 5.2. Anything above 5 is considered as an honors grade. We do not have high honors. </p>
<p>Courses:
Freshman: Honors Geometry, Honors Physics, Honors Ecology, Honors Latin, Honors World Civilization, Honors English, Art I, </p>
<p>*I transferred after my freshman year to the school I now attend because felt my old school would not truly bring out the best of my abilities. It did not challenge me at all! </p>
<p>Sophomore: Honors Chemistry, Precalculus, a term of History, Latin Level III (right below AP level), Asian Religions, Music theory</p>
<p>Junior: AP BC Calc, AP Bio, US History (it’s not a real AP course, but it prepares us well enough to take it), English (same as US History), Drawing I, Islamic Cultural Studies, Art</p>
<p>Senior: I do not know my schedule yet, but I will most probably take the following and more: AP Micro Economics, AP Macro Economics, International Relations, AP Physics, AP Statistics, English elective (unsure at the moment which one)</p>
<p>SAT: 2080 (680 CR, 690 W, 730 M) <-- I’m working to bring this up for the October SAT. I’m expecting above a 2250 because I usually am the type of person who will keep practicing and practicing till I get it right. </p>
<p>ACT: Have not taken this yet, but my first practice test was a 34 </p>
<p>SAT II: 800 Math IIC, 730 Chemistry, 750 Biology, 670 Latin (Luckily they’ll only consider my top two SAT scores)</p>
<p>APs: BC Calculus and Biology. Scores will be mailed soon; I’m projecting a 5 on Biology and a 4/5 in Calculus. I will be taking Physics, Micro and Macro economics, English, and US History APs senior year. However our school doesn’t put too much emphasis on APs, because we have other courses that go over material not found on any AP tests. </p>
<p>ECs:
Indian Dancing- I’m a guy, but I perform Bhangra which is a male dance in India. I’ve been dancing since I was 8 and choreographing since I was 10. I have formed two dance teams which I am captain of and we perform for various organizations and senior citizen homes. I also perform with my brother and we have won different regional organizational awards in the greater Boston district. Nothing national though. </p>
<p>Indian/Pakistani Club- Luckily on my school campus there is a South Asian club with about 40 members attracting people from all ethnic backgrounds. The club has gained quite a footing and hosts 3 events annually. I was elected co-head (there are two heads) during my senior year. I feel I have contributed a lot to the club because I choreographed 4-5 dances within the past two years that incorporate both Indian and Hip Hop elements—something most students have not seen on campus. </p>
<p>Cultural Magazine- I have been writing for this school publication for the past two years. The publication deals with cultural, social, and religious issues. I am now publicist (basically I have to find sponsors, advertise, and get more subscribers and writers) of the club and continue to write articles for it. </p>
<p>AIYC- I started this organization to raise money for underprivileged kids in India. After an incident in India, which shocked me and made me feel very fortunate, I started this endeavor. We host events, which are both fun and charitable, to teach the community they can help others by enjoying themselves. Currently we are sponsoring education, food, and shelter for 15 kids. </p>
<p>Violin- I have been playing violin since 3rd grade. I am now in a school orchestra and take private lessons. I am not emphasizing much on this because I am no virtuoso. I just enjoy it and therefore continue it but still have much to learn. </p>
<p>Tabla- The tabla is a South Asian percussion instrument consisting of two drums. I have been playing this since the 4th grade and truly enjoy it. It allows my hands to move freely and quickly and play whatever comes to my mind. I have played several times for large audiences (700-4000 people), but one of my most memorable times is playing for my school. I remixed the tabla with Hip Hop songs on that occasion. It was the first time I had applied traditional elements to a modern song and I enjoyed it thoroughly. </p>
<p>Hindu Association- This is a school club. It is very small, about 5 students or so, but the group feels more comfortable that way. We are able to freely talk about how Hinduism affects our daily lives and how to incorporate it into our lives on campus. We sometimes have discussions with other student religious groups such as Muslim Association to see how different religious affiliations can work together to solve issues, such as the constant strife in Kashmir. The club head from last year has designated me to become head of the club during my senior year. </p>
<p>Chinmaya Maruti-Since 10th grade I have been attending this Hindu temple/school every Sunday. My parents’ friend, who attended the temple, encouraged me to try it out. From the start I’ve truly enjoyed the school. Many of my classmates do as well, but they don’t seem to take any initiative on the projects or discussions we have. I’m not trying to boast, but it seems as if I’m the only one who tries to refute an idea we discuss and who actually carries out the “class projects.” For instance last year, we were supposed to create a film that paralleled Hinduism to Star Wars, and no one really came up with ideas. They’d start but never finish. I ended up writing the script, directing the film, shooting the video, editing the video, and making the final product. The reason I’m mentioning this is because it’s something I’d like to show admission officers—that I truly do try to take the initiative and I’m not afraid to share my opinion—but I’m unsure how to. </p>
<p>Computers- Okay so I’m obsessed with technology! This is more of a hobby rather than an EC. I research modern technology (mainly computer related products) and see how the field is shaping up. From there I find ways to utilize technology appropriately to help out organizations. I also fix computers for my friends and create websites for various groups (mostly non profits). I spend so much time on this that I need to include it in my application somewhere; I’m just unsure where. </p>
<p>It’s so hard to create a complete picture when I’m confined to the common application and supplement, which is why I’ve tried to include as many personal details I felt comfortable sharing. </p>
<p>Is it looked down upon by admissions officers if I submit a type of resume sheet so that they learn more about me? I feel there is so much more I can include in the application but there is not enough opportunity for me to present the information. </p>
<p>Passion: Punjabi/Indian culture – if this wasn’t evident from all my extracurriculars! I love my culture. Some may say that it limits what I do and how I think however, I feel it allows me to learn so much more and think in different ways. In school, the majority of my classes delve deeper into “western” types of thoughts (except Math and the Sciences of course which are universal) and many of my friends are from European upbringing. I feel I get one side of the story from them—one way to look at things. And then there are my parents at home who initially really tried hard to push me to explore and love my own culture. After a few years I truly do enjoy my culture so I propel myself to discover. I interestingly have found instances when both my Punjabi culture and “western” culture (I hope grouping Europe and North America into Western doesn’t offend anyone) actually share common concepts. Also, before I used to believe I was truly Indian. Now as I’ve delved into my culture I found out I’m not even completely Indian—my family is from Pakistan! This has also opened a new world for me because I feel I share more in common with Muslims (such as those from Pakistan) compared to the majority of Hindus from India. I know this may all seem irrelevant, but I think it is important to my character and again I just need to find a way to convey it. </p>
<p>Awards/Recognitions:
I have received many awards for my dancing by various regional and MA state organizations. I do not have any academic awards as our school only gives a handful—and it’s so competitive already! Does anyone have ideas how to boost this?</p>
<p>Volunteer: I founded an organization two years ago which raises money to sponsor education for children in India. Since I am the head of this organization, I have spent many hours (I have not kept track) to help it grow. </p>
<p>Recommendations: I have not seen them, but they will be decent to great. I’m considering submitting additional recommendations from my art teacher and Hindu School teacher. Will the admissions panel mind? I feel these recommendations are important because my art teacher will easily be able to convey my work ethic and creativity, which I feel is very important, and my Hindu teacher will be able to express my determination and leadership role. </p>
<p>Essays: I’m projecting these will be very good. I really want Penn to know why I want to attend. I’ve known for a couple of years I wanted to go into business so Wharton was my #1 choice from the start, but I really fell in love when I saw Penn Dhamaka perform at Phillyfest 2007. Not only did they do an awesome job dancing, perfectly mixing Hip Hop, Bhangra, and Arabic elements, but they also won 1st place. In addition, my counselor introduced me to Penn Masala which is one of only two all boys South Asian acapella groups in the country! While I don’t sing, it doesn’t mean I can’t join! All this shows me that Penn is open to new ideas and different cultures. The customizability of the major/minors also attracted me greatly because business alone is not worth much. I really want to couple it with some type of Computer Science. </p>
<p>Job Experience:
I worked for my parent’s real estate corporation during the summer between 9th and 10th grade and 10th and 11th grade. I would review the spending to make sure there were no anomalies in the financial record because prior a few employees were suspected of stealing money. </p>
<p>Summer:
-Worked two summers for a real estate company
-Each summer I visit my grandparents in India
-The summer before my junior year I founded a non profit organization to sponsor education for children in India. Part of the reasoning for this was because of an experience I had prior that summer in India. I might write about this in an essay, I am unsure though. </p>
<p>Chance me for Wharton ED please! Sorry for all the details</p>