Should I even bother applying to UPenn?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I'd really love to go to UPenn, but my extracurriculars aren't that great, so I'm not sure that I could even get in.</p>

<p>Freshman&Sophomore Year: Took Honors whenever it was offered. I was in our top orchestra, Spanish 2/3, and AP US History. I got a 4 on the AP test for APUSH. (Sophomore year) I also have gotten schoolwide subject awards for Honors Bio/Honors Earth Science. My only extracurriculars were orchestra and community service, but I'm very involved in orchestra. I also had my art in the Art Show.</p>

<p>Junior Year: Honors whenever offered. AP Gov/Econ wouldn't fit in my schedule so I took first semester government at the community college. Full Schedule: Spanish 4, Orchestra, Honors Chem, Honors Physics, AP Eng Lang, Civics, and Pre-Calc. </p>

<p>Senior Year: I intend to take AP Physics C (or AP Spanish, whichever is offered, sadly both won't be because I love both), AP Eng Lit, AP Calc AB, AP Chemistry, Psychology, and Anthropology. </p>

<p>Grades: All As
GPA (W): 4.08 currently, will go up! We do have a 7 period day and I've taken multiple classes over the summer/in 8th grade. (Spanish, Algebra, PE, Health, 8th period symphony orchestra)
GPA (UW): 4.0
Class Rank: 1/360
ACT: Haven't gotten my score but I'm predicting based on practice tests:</p>

<p>Reading - 35
English - 34 or 35
Math - 32
Science - 28 </p>

<p>Composite: 32-33</p>

<p>I intend on retaking it as I freaked out for the science. Didn't prep enough. :( I got a 31 on the practice I did take, so it can go up.</p>

<p>I also predict a 10 or 11 on the writing based on practices.</p>

<p>Leadership:</p>

<p>-Orchestra Section Leader
-Students Leading Students Club</p>

<p>Sports:</p>

<p>none. I run for fun, but can't put that on college apps!</p>

<p>Clubs:</p>

<p>Student Council, NHS, Interact, SLS, Link Crew (if I get in)</p>

<p>Lots of volunteer hours. I have been playing pit at a musical for a school with no orchestra for years.</p>

<p>Not sure if this counts, but I draw a lot in my freetime (a lot of it is digital art), and take commissions on websites. I plan on drawing for indie game companies this summer. I don't think I'd be allowed to include a portfolio? I also taught myself HTML/CSS. </p>

<p>A lot of my activities aren't something I could apply with I guess. (drawing,html/css, reading) I read a lot, it's one of my favorite things to do outside of school. </p>

<p>Overall I'm a really hard worker and don't like to give up, so I'll make sure my essays are as good as I can possibly make them.</p>

<p>Do I even have a chance? I'm guessing no, so if anyone has an idea of something I could do to really stand out and be considered before this fall I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>You stats are in the range for the kinds of people they are looking for and they accept plenty with lesser stats for reasons known only to them. Go ahead and try. No guarantees, of course, but just put it out there as a high reach.</p>

3

<p>Alright thank you. :slight_smile: Any EC suggestions? I really do want to do something noteworthy that I can devote my time to, I’m just not sure what.</p>

4

<p>Definitely try; your scores and grades are in the ballpark!</p>

<p>Playing in the pit shows dedication. I’ve always wanted to do that.
Join track or cross-country?
The drawing-for-indie-games thing would be a super cool thing to talk about in essays or as a job-experience type of thing. </p>

5

<p>Save the application fee and enjoy a nice date with that money.</p>

6

<p>^^ or find a real cute, cheap date and get both chances.</p>

7

<p>im a girl i don’t pay for dates 0:-) jk </p>

<p>i dislike track because running in circles is a little boring to me lol! im considering cross country as long as i can get a time that would make joining for only senior year still look decent. i might as well start training now since i’m not doing track.</p>

8

<p>Have you seen this program:
<a href=“CG@Penn | DMD Program”>Majors;

9

<p>is that like animation for engineers? </p>

<p>i like drawing, but i don’t really like art classes, so it’s probably not for me. :frowning: thanks though!</p>

<p>i currently have no idea what career to do. i want to be a lawyer but it seems there’s an abundance of them at the moment!</p>

10

<p>It looks like these are really not art classes, and it is within the school of engineering and sciences. It probably includes some web design classes as well.</p>

<p>The undergraduate program in Digital Media Design strives to prepare to:
use their superior technical expertise and communication skills to bridge the barriers that currently exist between artists and engineers in the world of computer graphics;
excel in influential industry positions such as technical directors, project directors, creative directors, and animation supervisors;</p>

11

<p>I’ll definitely look into it thanks :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I’m not even sure I’d get accepted into the college though!</p>

12

<p>“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” - Gretzky</p>

<p>You’ve got good stats. I’d say take a chance and apply. :)</p>

13

<p>ok ill consider it thank you! :slight_smile: </p>

14

<p>My advice : Apply… The only way you have assurance of not getting in is if you don’t apply.</p>

<p>Also those ec’s are great! Make sure you mention them in your applications. Just go deep to show your interest in them.</p>