Please Chance me for Wharton!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hi, I'm new on CC and I was hoping someone could chance me for Wharton. I admit, my scores are on the low side, but I'm hoping I can make up for it with some of my ECs.</p>

<p>Background
International Student, applying from Saudi Arabia.
Both parents are Pakistani, but we hold a Canadian citizenship
Income bracket: in the middle
-I did ninth grade at a school in Canada, but the rest of my HS was completed at an Int. school in Saudi Arabia</p>

<p>Scores
GPA: 3.66 UW
SAT: 2040
720 (CR) 660 (Math) 660 (Writing)
SAT Subject tests: 800 Literature, 720 Math II</p>

<p>AP Scores
US History 4
Psychology 5
Comparative Government 4</p>

<p>Senior course load
AP Micro, AP Macro, AP Lit, AP French, AP Calc AB, AP Environmental Science, AP EngLang </p>

<p>Extra Curriculars:</p>

<p>John Fraser Secondary School Sept. 2011 – June 2012 </p>

<p>School year 2011 – 12 (Grade 9)</p>

<p> Member of DECA, Principles of Marketing Regional Finalist
 Member of Model United Nations
 Delegate of Turkey at the SOMA Conference at the University of Toronto, St. George Campus (UNICEF Committee)
 Media Relations Executive of Law Club
 Fiction Short Story writer for the school newspaper, Jagged Edge
 Performed violin solo at local church’s winter concert</p>

<p>Volunteer Involvement</p>

<p> Volunteer at Barbeque Night at Ellen Fairclough Public School – Sept. 28th, 2011
 Entertainment Volunteer at MICBA Forum Italia Senior Residence (played the violin or piano during teatime) – Nov. 4th 2011 – May 22nd 2012
 Participated in a 24 hour “Vow of Silence” – Nov. 30th 2011
 Race Marshall at Harry’s Spring Runoff – April 7th, 2012
 Completed approximately 40 hours of community service</p>

<p>Recognition and Awards</p>

<p> High Honor Roll (Given upon attaining an average of 85% or above)</p>

<p>American International School- Jeddah Sept. 2012 – June 2015 </p>

<p>School year 2012 – 13 (Grade 10)</p>

<p> Selected into AISJ Debate Team
 Delegate of Viet Nam at The Hague International Model UN Conference, Main Submitter of resolution on sustainable energy
 Narrator in the school musical, “Aladdin”
 MC for school mascot, helped develop acts and skits for the mascot to perform during assemblies and games</p>

<p>Recognition and Awards</p>

<p> On the High Honor Roll throughout the year (Given upon GPA of 3.9 or above)
 3rd Place Medal in the Red Sea Knowledge Bowl Tournament
 Inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS). This is invitational, and acceptance is based on portrayal of scholarship (GPA of 3.8 or above), leadership, service, and character</p>

<p>School year 2013 – 14 (Grade 11)</p>

<p> Member of AISJ Young Women’s Organization (YWO)
 Member of Spoken Word Poetry Club
 Movie Review Blogger of the AISJ Literary Magazine
 Assistant Director of the fall play, “Arsenic and Old Lace”
 Administrative Assistant of the winter play, “And Then There Were None,” in charge of creating the program, and scheduling rehearsals
 Deputy Ambassador of Namibia delegation at The Hague International Model UN Conference (Disarmament Commission)
 Founder of Saudi Arabia’s DECA Chapter
 Mascot Assistant – developed a program in which the mascot performs humorous skits to elementary children on topics such as good habits, nutrition, friendship, and taking tests.</p>

<p>Volunteer Involvement</p>

<p> Sold pink breast cancer ribbons to raise money for breast cancer research
 Contacted women in the business and arts communities in Jeddah to speak at the AISJ YWO Women’s summit to promote career-oriented women in Jeddah </p>

<p>Recognition and Awards</p>

<p> High Honor Roll (Given upon GPA of 3.9 or above)
 Honor Roll (Given upon GPA of 3.5 or above)</p>

<p>School year 2014 – 15 (Grade 12)
 Student Mentor of AISJ Young Women’s Organization, currently developing a project to raise money to build schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan
 Member of Spoken Word Poetry Club
 Producer and writer of original one-act play, “Psych!”
 DECA Chapter received 7th place at GCC-wide Murdoch Business Case Study Competition in Dubai
 Copy Editor of AISJ Literary Magazine
 Member of AISJ Academic Games Team, competed and won 2nd place at regional tournament in Jordan
 Seniors Helping Incoming Freshmen Transition (SHIFT) Leader</p>

<p>Volunteer Involvement</p>

<p> Assisted with new student orientation
 Helped organize school-wide “Pink Day” to raise awareness for breast cancer</p>

<p>Recognition and Awards</p>

<p> First quarter High Honor Roll (Given upon GPA of 3.9 or above)</p>

<p>Recommendations: I read the one my English teacher, it was amazing. I'm sure the other recs are pretty good.
Essays: Very good</p>

<p>I really want to get into Wharton, but I'm afraid my scores are going to annihilate any chances I have. The extra curriculars above are just a copy+paste of my resume, so it may be repetitive in some places grade levels and such. Please chance me, I would be so grateful!</p>

<p>Thanks! :) </p>

2

The ECs that are likely to matter most are those that demonstrate effective high level leadership and which result in substantial and recognized impact. Typically candidates with such ECs do not have many ECs because their leadership positions occupy much of their time. I can’t tell from your EC list what impact you’ve had on your school and on your greater community.

3

To be completely honest, your extracurriculars seem all over the place. In addition to what fogcity said, the admissions committee also looks for commitment and passion in how you choose to spend your time. Additionally, in terms of the applicant pool, your transcript is far from competitive in terms of GPA and AP classes. Good luck though!

4

I realize the way I’ve written out my ECs make it look as though they were all over the place. Allow me to write them out in a more succinct way in the following format: Activity (leadership position) - Details

DECA (Founder and President)
Principles of Marketing Regional Finalist (9), founded first chapter in the Middle East, chapter ranked 7th out of 50+ schools at GCC-wide case-study competition, facilitated the founding of Riyadh chapter

Theater
-Producer and writer of original one-act play
-Assistant Director of school play “Arsenic and Old Lace”

MUN (Deputy Ambassador of Namibia delegation at The Hague Conference)
-I have been involved in MUN for over 6 years, and have attended 9 conferences
-Honorable Mention at the SOMA Conference at the University of Toronto

Literary Magazine (Copy Editor)
In charge of reading & editing submissions to LitMag, run a Humans of AISJ page on LitMag site, regularly write poetry and fiction for publication

Young Women’s Organization (Student Mentor)
Helped organize a women’s summit to promote career-oriented women in Jeddah, working on project to fund schools for girls in underdeveloped nations

Mascot Assistant
Developed program in which mascot performs humorous skits for elementary children to teach good habits and good character, wrote the skits

Academic Games Team
3rd place medalist of Red Sea Knowledge Bowl (10), Team won 2nd place at regional tournament in Jordan (12)

SHIFT Leader (Seniors Helping Incoming Freshmen Transition)
Act as an adviser to incoming freshmen to help them adapt to high school, make friends & get involved on campus

Violin
Played solo at local church’s winter concert (9), played as entertainment volunteer at senior residence(9), played in school orchestra for musical(12)

I hold a lot of leadership positions, but I’ve done significant things in each activity…at least I think I have. Take another look, and if your opinions remain the same then, I suppose I’ll take them.

5

Don’t let the opinions of strangers dissuade you from applying. No one knows for sure what the admission reps are looking for. I think your gpa is on the low side for Penn but it is a holistic process and you might be exactly what they are looking for.