<p>How much exactly does being the first generation in your family to go to college help you? My sister was the first one in my family to go to a college.</p>
<p>It helps a little if you are on the borderline (say your SAT's are a little lower than they should be - the 1st generation thing might cause them to cut you a little slack) but it's not going to be decisive - if you clearly aren't what they would consider Penn material they aren't gonna let you in just 'cause you're 1st generation. They have to have the feeling that you can do the work once you get there. If you are already URM then it's not going to add much beyond that. If you aren't, they aren't going to give you much slack anyway. So mention it, but don't expect it to be your ticket in.</p>
<p>Exactly, they might cut you some slack but I wouldn't count on it.</p>
<p>I see well I'm asking this because my GPA is a bit on the low side (3.5 unweighted) but i've taken the most rigorous classes at my school (10 aps total) out of 13 offered and I've gotten all A's in my AP classes. My gpa is a bit low due to my junior year grades, during which I had some teachers I "disagreed" with. I know I can't change that though, so will Penn just reject me because my GPA isn't high enough or will they see that my taking so many APs shows how I like learning, especially History? Because I took AP World by myself because I wanted to learn more about world history. But my ACT score is a 32, which is in their average I think. I'm counting on making a good impression on the interview and writing good essays, so do I have a shot?</p>
<p>What is your class rank? Are you a URM? What is your weighted GPA? A great class rank could really help you out. I got into Wharton with a 31 ACT but I believe that my essays were stellar so I would suggest that you spend a lot of time on them. Send them out to several adults that you know to have them proofread and edited. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Do you have a shot - look thru the ED acceptance list - you'll see people with scores lower than you accepted (and people with higher rejected) so yes you have a shot but it's no sure thing.</p>
<p>I see my weighted gpa is a 3.9 with an added college class (Oceanography) And no I'm not a URM I'm asian but I am a first generation college student and from a low income family</p>