SEAS ED or McCormick ED?

<p>I like UPenn and Northwestern both, but between the two I definitely prefer Penn. I'm afraid to ED at Northwestern because then I'll never know if I could've gotten into Penn... but I also don't want to be hoping to get into Northwestern in 2 months. What do you think my chances are for Penn ED and NU regular? Is it worth the risk?</p>

<p>GPA: 3.81 UW</p>

<p>SAT: 2340 (790 CR 770 M 780 W 10)</p>

<p>SAT Subject Tests: 800 Math II, 780 Chem, 770 Math I (fall of freshman year)</p>

<p>Senior year courses: AT Physics, BC Calculus, AT Macro, AT French, English (~3.94 this quarter)</p>

<p>AP Exams: 5's for Stat and US Hist (course options are pretty limited)</p>

<p>EC's:</p>

<p>Competitive chess (rating ~1950)
School science journal (editor-in-chief)
Internship at physics lab going into 12th grade
Math Team (1st place in regional championship)
Chess Club (President)
Teach ~100 kids at a chess club in an elementary school
SAAST summer before junior year (engineering program at Penn; final grade: A)</p>

<p>Job/Work:
Tournament director at scholastic chess tourneys</p>

<p>Probably worth mentioning that I've won quite a few chess tournaments... I came in 2nd place in my section at the Manhattan Open. And I might reach an expert-level rating soon.</p>

<p>Academic Awards:
National Merit Semifinalist
Honor Society</p>

<p>One of my recs is from my physics teacher junior and senior year. That one should be amazing, since he loves me and he's pretty much known for writing amazing recs (he even gave me an interview). My other rec should be pretty good too, but it's from a one-semester humanities class so overall it's mediocre.</p>

<p>I'm also getting a rec from the professor I worked under in the physics lab.</p>

<p>Btw, a lot of people from my grade are applying Penn ED, and there are a LOT of legacies... My counselor told me colleges don't have "quotas" for schools but I'm not really sure that's accurate...</p>

<p>You have great credentials and the admission rate is a lot higher ED. There are no guarantees, but I think you have a great shot. </p>