<p>my point is that the kids who are more money rich than brain rich cannot hold their own in the classroom but that doesn’t translate to a disadvantage in internships / workplace because if their fathers call ahead of time and make arrangements, the internship is taken before the applications are even uploaded to the HR department.</p>
<p>But you can break through that by having a really strong application. There are usually spots open to merit.</p>
<p>I was actually thinking about this today, incidentally. (I have only read OP…so I don’t know if the thread has majorly changed…also, my advice is more general, rather than USC focused)</p>
<p>Anyway, I would NOT go to Penn if I wanted to be a doctor. The competitiveness and cutthroatness is just crazy, and would be crazy at any school. Except, instead of being one of the top people to get all the opportunities, you are one of many in EVERYTHING you do. One of my friends kicks ass on exams (regular getting 95+s when the average is 40 points lower), yet even he admits it was a bad decision. </p>
<p>On the other hand, I would say don’t be scared. If you are an unhooked applicant (and be honest about your hooks) and have managed to get in, you will likely do average to great. You also have to realize your strengths and your weaknesses. If you want to do chemistry but you’re really a writer who thought high school chemistry was a beast, be prepared to get 0’s on tests and get an F. I don’t mean that to be harsh-it’s just reality when 50%+ have gotten a 5 on AP Chem. </p>
<p>An argument for Penn which I hadn’t considered until late April: There will never be a time in your life (unless you go on to more schooling, or a very advanced career) when literally every single person you meet is just about as smart as you are. And I’m not saying everyone is the stereotypical nerd on TV…not at all! I am just saying some things are a given. You can make a dumb joke about Shakespeare and not get looks like, SAY WHAT?! Coming from a bad high school (you said you had too), this was a huge factor. I was always known as the brainy one, and nobody ever really took the time to see any other thing about me.</p>
<p>I would say that most Wharton students are of mediocre ability, party way too hard, and generally don’t have the maturity to succeed. </p>
<p>I never found Wharton cutthroat at all.</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ll do fine</p>
<p>think about it this way. if you rejected wharton i am almost positive you would regret it later on down the road</p>
<p>The OP is going to Penn, so it doesn’t really matter. I hope he’s not scared anymore, though. I’m sure he’ll be just fine : )</p>