Please help me pick one or the other!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Okay, so I want to apply to one of these schools ED [mainly because at the end of the day I'd be so happy with either and hopefully not have to worry about RD apps] but I don't know which!! THE SCHOOLS ARE - Northwestern and University of Pennsylvania (College of Arts and Sciences). I'm interested in being an Econ major but of course that is subject to change as usual with college and college-bound kids! They're just both awesome school with all I want (Far from home, good social life, GREAT schools, and of course good job prospects :P), anywho, here's my stats - </p>

<p>Male
Hispanic
Bilingual
Single Parent Family
First Generation College Student
Low Income [ <$20,000]
TX</p>

<p>GPA - 3.857 UW
Rank - 4/720</p>

<p>SAT:
CR - 650
Math - 690
Writing - 700 (9 Essay)</p>

<p>Retaking this in a month... wee...</p>

<p>SAT IIs:
Chemistry - 710
Spanish - 750
Math II - 710 [Retaking November, hopefully in time for ED]</p>

<p>Classes : </p>

<p>9th -
Soccer
Geometry Pre-AP
French I
English I Pre-AP
Speech/Health
Biology Pre-AP
World Geography Pre-AP</p>

<p>10th -
Soccer
Algebra II Pre-AP
French II
Chemistry Pre-AP
World History Pre-AP
Art
English II Pre-AP</p>

<p>11th -
Soccer
French III Pre-AP
English III AP - 4 on AP Test
Chemistry AP - 4 on AP Test
U.S. History AP - 5 on AP Test
Physics Pre-AP
Pre-Calculus Pre-AP</p>

<p>12th -
Soccer
U.S. Government/Macroecon AP
Physics AP ******** I can't decide whether to drop this for French IV AP, would it be a good move?********
Statistics AP
English IV AP
Calculus AB AP [BC not offered at my school]
Office Aid</p>

<p>ECs-
Soccer
Leo Club - Treasurer
NHS
French Club
Rock for the Cure '07 Organizer
Alvin Park Cleanup Co-Organizer and participant
HOSA
Summer job at local grocery store</p>

<p>Lol I just got my car... EC's were hard as heck beforehand to be in =P</p>

<p>Um I have an interesting story for my essays if that'll help (Growing up in another country, etc. etc.) so if I don't half arse I should do fine on those. Not sure about teacher recs, heh.</p>

<p>Anywho I really DON'T know what to apply to ED, granted I can apply to the other if I get rejected but I have high hopes for ED! Where do you guys think I'd have a better shot/fit in or would give me the best FA? (Less loans, etc.)</p>

<p>I really can't decide between the two, and I know you guys can't, but maybe ya'll can tip the balance here and there!</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>

2

<p>You have a very good background. This is a case in which close study of the statistics pertaining to the two schools is necessary. Which has a better track record in giving large amounts of aid, which has easier admissions, and which has greater interest in increasing the enrollment of minorities and low income people. Have you had any contact with admissions officers at either? I will try to find some statistics and post them.</p>

3

<p>I looked at the stats. They are about equal, except for one thing. Northwestern accepts a significantly higher percentage of applicants-30% as opposed to 18%. Racial makeups are the same, financial aid stats about the same (both excellent). So, it all depends on how badly you want ED, and whether or not you really like Northwestern as much as Penn. If you go into the RD round, you will do fine and will have choices. It's just more paperwork (and stress). Some people would tell you to do RD- you may get some financial aid offers that are much better than others. You may also be able to negotiate some offers upward. Applying ED is still a reasonable choice in your situation, though.</p>

4

<p>I would retake SAT I before retaking SAT II if I were you.</p>

5

<p>Oh I am taking SAT I in October, and SAT II in November!</p>

<p>And I dunno, I really wanna avoid the RD round and save lots of stress and application fee waiver messes. To be truthful I do like Penn better but I'd be happy at NU all the same, and their acceptance rate is higher.. ahh</p>

6

<p>If you are accepted ED don't you have to go there regardless of the aid package offered?</p>

7

<p>I thought that the only reason you wouldn't go there was if the aid offered was something you just couldn't accept</p>

8

<p>"To be truthful I do like Penn better" </p>

<p>I think you just answered your own question.</p>

9

<p>You may get in ED at Penn. If you don't try, you may regret it. You have a solid, consistent record. The only thing concerning me is that you mentioned "not sure about teacher recs". Most people say that the recs are very important at the Ivies. Can you do anything to improve your chances for good recs?</p>

10

<p>@ricegal - yes, that's the only case in which you can back out of ED.</p>

<p>@OP- you like Penn better. That's what ED's for, dude! You just clarified your confuddled mind!</p>

11

<p>Well I mean, my school is just huge and all my teachers I'd get recs from have like, 6 classes a day with 20+ kids so it's kinda hard to get to know a teacher when they're so busy, but I'll see what happens.</p>

<p>Does your GC have to fill out a rec.? Cause my Counselors have changed every year haha.</p>

<p>Well looks like I will apply to Penn ED, I've wanted to all along it's just that idk, I don't wanna set my heart on it too much!</p>

12

<p>Have you visited either? A lot of schools look great in viewbooks and on paper, but when you visit you get a sense of what the people are like, what there is to do, profs, etc. that you would never get from just looking at the website. And it's even more important to visit because ED is BINDING and you'll be stuck at a school you may not like!!</p>

13

<p>First of all congratulations on doing so well. Usually I don't say that because everyone on this forum does well but with a single parent making under Twenty G's a year it is truly spectacular to have done so well in high school.</p>

<p>Like other posters have said, however, I wouldn't do ED in your situation. Instead, apply RD (and EA where possible). This lets you truly think about your decision and apply to a few other schools that you might not have considered.</p>

<p>Anyway, I would go with UPENN if you really do want ED. You might even want to look into something at Wharton since you're interested in econ. You'll probably get a full scholarship, too, which would be excellent.</p>

14

<p>Well there's no way I can afford to visit there haha, unless they paid for me to go up there which I'm sure no school does that :P</p>

<p>And well I did look at Wharton but I just felt that my scores aren't high enough and I don't have really any leadership roles which I know they stress</p>

15

<p>Oh, I see. I was worried that you thought that the teachers were against you. Well, giving them a short write up on your academics and ECs will help. Many or even most people have pretty generic letters from teachers and GCs that don't know them well. Best wishes for Penn ED- you certainly have a chance of getting it. You are a good candidate, and will end up at a good place, that is certain. And I do agree that ED will save you a lot of stress.</p>

16

<p>Thanks for the reassurance OneMom, I'm often disheartened when I see people with insanely better stats than me and they get rejected, heh, but we'll see how it goes :)</p>

<p>ED Penn it is!</p>