I’m an international student from Canada looking to apply to CAS, possibly ED. I’ve read that Penn gives a big advantage to ED, filling about 55% of the class from ED last year.
Stats:
3.77 unweighted GPA (4.00 junior year, upward trend)
taking SAT next month for first time
9 “honors” courses so far- some not listed as such on my transcript, though
4 university courses this year through local college
no AP’s offered at my school
EC’s:
15 hours competitive company level dance (many scholarships, awards throughout years)
piano (recreationally, some awards)
finalist in national pageant (volunteer work involved)
published poet
2nd place balsa bridge building competition (some scholarships)
concert choir- soloist
peer leadership
pep squad
fashion/lifestyle blog
outdoor club
I know it’s pretty much a long shot, but chances??
If you can pull off 1450+ on the SAT, I think you’ll be competitive for an international student. And yes, Penn’s ED acceptance rate is more than twice the RD rate, so if Penn is your clear #1 choice and you can afford it, then by all means apply ED.
As for chances, I think even ED will be a reach because you are an international, but those are still probably much better chances than applying RD.
The acceptance rate for ED is deceiving. Over 60 percent of ED applicants have hooks. Athletics, and other recruits, Questbridge, legacy, special students etc. For non-hooked applicants, the acceptance rates in both ED and RD are about the same. Maybe slightly higher for ED.
Thank you for the replies! I think I’ll end up applying RD, so that I can see my SAT scores/retake the SAT before I apply. Also, does anyone know if it is significantly more difficult to get into US schools as an international student? I’m asking because at Canadian schools, international students actually have an advantage (pay more). If it’s relevant, I’m a Caucasian female from an area that probably gets a lot of applicants (high Asian population).
Yes, it is more difficult for international students. They are in a separate pool. However, Canada seems to have special status. Canadian students are treated the same as US students in terms of financial aid. Penn also recruits athletics in Canada.