should I apply for ED Upenn or just stay with RD... (can't commit/worried about financial package)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

Junior here. I’ll just quickly give a breakdown of my stats and ec in case any of y’all need it for context. (sorry its so long…) my problem is stated at the end

CURRENT
Weighted GPA: 4.7
Unweighted GPA: 3.8577
SAT: 1500 (will take 2nd time)
Subject tests: Math2 (800) and perhaps Biology Molecular
Rank: 5/449
Asian, female, low income, US Citizen, first to attend college

AP: (honors and ap)
Freshman: not allowed
Sophomore: APUSH (3), AP Seminar (4)
Junior: AP Research, AP Calc AB, AP World, AP Language, AP Statistics, AP Physics
Senior: AP Calc BC, AP Environmental Science, AP Economics, AP Psychology, AP Literature, AP Physics II, AP Government
Community college courses: Statistics, Micro Economics, Sociology, Human Bio, Intro to Business

(hopefully this year):
AP Capstone
National AP Scholar

EC: (very brief description, there are additional accomplishments. tell me if you want me to detail list it out)
1.Environmental
Boston Alliance for Climate Education, National Action Fellowship, Action Youth Leader (Advocate MA to become first state to divest state pensions from fossil fuels)
2. Science/Math
MHS Science National Honor Society, Co-Founder and Vice President (Fundraise & construct 16 raised garden beds, helped ran events for Science on the Streets)
3. Environmental
Sierra Club, Sierra Student Coalition Climate Justice League, SSC community organizer (campaign renewable energy economy)
4. Science/Math
Relay for Life, signature fundraiser for American Cancer Society, RFL President and organizer (Funded $2000 to ACS research, attend annual Tufts Overnight RFL walk)
5. Science/Math (FUTURE HAVE NOT DONE YET) (6 week program)
MIT Office of Engineering Outreach Programs, Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITE)
6. Environmental
Sunrise Movement Climate Change, Presentation and Canvassing Team Activist (Exposing corrupt political influence of wealthy oil executives, planned Dedication Day for Governor Baker with teammates)
7. Research (6 weeks last summer)
Bioinformatics Inquiry through Sequencing Program at Tufts University (Learned molecular biology and genetics laboratory techniques)
8. Research (FUTURE HAVE NOT DONE) (6 week program)
BioBuilder Educational Foundation at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Intern
9. Community Service (volunteer)
Interact Rotary International Service club, President (Held food drives for low-income families, lead “feed the hunger” project)
10. Cultural
Culture Connection, Founder and President, affiliated with non-profit organization Chinese Culture Connection (Canvassed door to door for Malden Campaign to elect 2017 city counselor)

might include art portfolio, not sure. I paint a lot of nature settings. combining human and nature.

so my problem is. I can’t commit to anything XD. Like I do not have a dream college, but I do have some top schools that I would love to go to such as upenn, Stanford and mit.
So recently I’ve been thinking if whether I should apply ED to Upenn, but like I said before I am hesitant to commit. Like I am afraid I will not get the financial package I want (won’t be able to afford…) but at the same time, I want to maximize my chance into getting to that college… Very hesistant. I heard people could back out from ED due to financial problems. But for ex. if I actually got out of ED, but I decided to accept an offer from another EA school or like I decided that I actually wanted the ED college (upenn) after realizing that they had the best financial package instead, is that even ok? I am just very concerned with my hesitation. I want to go to upenn but at the same time I want to look at all my offers and financial aid…

Should I just instead stick with RD Upenn? Thank you so much for your time!!!

2

Based on my research, UPenn admits ED applicants showing a STRONG desire to attend. Unless you feel like Penn is your absolute dream, I would apply there RD for the sake of your own happiness. You should not do ED if you have doubts. It sounds like you have some other options, and you may regret not pursuing them

3

You can always back out of the ED agreement if the financial aid is not enough. You are definitely a competitive applicant for Penn, and they do fill up a lot of their class with ED applicants

4

@AutumnBaby Regarding the financial aid package: you can back out of the ED agreement if ED is not sufficient. That said, I would advise applying ED only to your very top choice or your 2nd/3rd choice provided you would be perfectly happy committing there in order to take advantage of the higher chances of admission compared to your top choice.

5

you still have a long time until you need to decide where you want to ED, so do as much research as you can, then make your decision. if you’re able to visit the schools, i suggest doing that as well.

(p.s. financial aid packages at top schools tend to be extremely generous for low-income students. run net price calculators at all of the schools to see a rough estimate of what you’d be paying.)

6

Run the net price calculator on Penn. If the net cost is affordable for your family then you can apply Ed. :slight_smile:
Btw you can apply ea and rolling to as many schools as you wish in addition to your Ed, and if the financial aid package isn’t sufficient you can appeal.

7

If you apply ED and are accepted at Penn, you will receive a financial aid package. If you turn down the offer of admission for financial reasons, then you have said no to Penn – for good. It makes sense: The only way you can back out is to claim that you can’t afford Penn, so you can’t then say, four months later, “Actually, I can afford it after all.”

8

@alliecat3 That’s very true. Upenn is one of my very very top choice but at the same time, I also want to pursue other colleges as well. I’m just very hesitant, can’t bring myself myself to commit fully :frowning:

9

@doorrealthe yeah that’s what I’ve heard too as well. Are you allow to apply for ED and EA at the same time? (I know that if you get accepted to ED, you have to turn down other apps)

10

@Penn95 Thank you for your feedback! :)))

11

@kalons Yes! I will def try to make a visit to the colleges over the summer! Thanks!

12

@MYOS1634 Alright thank you so much!

13

@LuckyCharms913 Alright thank you!!

14

I was in a similar position as you. Honestly, try to run the NPC (yes I know it’s not too accurate) and ask your parents what’s right. But, if you’re absolutely set on Penn, I would go for ED. The acceptance rate ED is just so much more favorable than RD. I know it’s “self-selected” and all, but if you feel like you’re ready then it’s not gonna get any easier in the RD round…

15

Not sure if you are technically allowed to, but I think some applicants do it since ED is binding while EA is not

16

I’m not sure what your other early schools are since you didn’t state all of them, but I’d apply early to Penn. You mentioned MIT and Stanford, but your GPA and AP testing scores aren’t stellar. Penn is probably going to be a reach in the ED round too, but perhaps more forgiving than those other two. If I were in your place I’d do ED Penn.

17

You can apply to other schools EA unless one of the two schools (Penn or the EA school) has restrictions on it. You have to check each school’s website.

What you can’t do is apply ED to Penn, EA elsewhere, then just take the cheaper school’s package if you get into both. You have to evaluate Penn’s offer without regard for cheaper offers you might already have (whether in-state rolling, EA, etc). Agree that you should run the NPC at Penn. If it is affordable, and they are your first choice, apply ED. Otherwise, stick with RD.

And honestly – don’t spend too much of your search time agonizing over application strategy for reach schools. Focus on finding matches & safeties you like and that are affordable. It is a wiser use of your time.