<p>CR 720
Math 740
Writing 800
US History 800
Chemistry 800
Math 2 800</p>
<p>Okay now that that's done, my problem is that I've never started a 50k business or anything. I mean, my friends and I did start a small business but we never registered it or anything because our parents didn't want to deal with the taxes or hire people... And we made some money but we had to close it down because it's seasonal. We're planning to restart it soon, but anyways, I don't even know if this is even substantial at all.</p>
<p>I didn't include it on my Common App and I only mention it in my supplements but anyways, I don't have any crazy financial internship, any crazy startup business, and frankly, there are no economics
Courses at my school that are even worth it (I have to self study macro and micro AP this yr). Should I even bother with Wharton? Or should I just try my hand at economics at A&S? </p>
<p>PS: My school is a public school with no reputation whatsoever and I'm from a small town in CA. Oh and I have some pretty good ECs by CC standards I guess. I helped my community a lot. But no crazy stuff related to business as I mentioned before.</p>
<p>Yes, you should bother with Wharton. Let me give you a quick bit of insight (btw, I’m from CAS so I’m probably unqualified to definitively answer Wharton questions, but it’s 3:30am–watch me try).</p>
<p>Your scores are fine, I have trust in your ECs, and you DO have business experience. You’re obviously afraid that going into college without having started a major corporation will keep you from getting into Wharton. Trust me, only a couple people do that. Good for them, blah blah blah, but ignore them. What Penn will REALLY take stock in is not necessarily what people HAVE done, but what they WANT to do. </p>
<p>You’re studying two AP econ courses on your own. On top of (what I’m assuming to be) a strong senior-year course load. You tried starting a business and you continue to operate it on a limited basis. You understand the tax ramifications and the reasons why you can and can’t operate a certain way. You know more about business and finance than, at a decent guess, half of the kids accepted into Wharton each year.</p>
<p>If Wharton is what you want, apply to Wharton. If you ask me, compared to most Wharton applicants, you’re normal at worst and advantaged at best.</p>
<p>As long as you don’t hang your hat on being accepted no problem, why not try? I applied to three schools - Penn (SEAS), Cornell, and Rutgers. That was after my guidance counselor told me not to waste 80 dollars on the two applications (are they still 40 bucks an app?). I got in to all three.</p>
<p>I got lower scores than you and I was accepted to Wharton. I think it’s just a matter of showing admissions that you are really interested in the school. Good luck!</p>
<p>CAS is a much safer bet compared to Wharton for RD. There are no published statistics, but Wharton likely fills at higher percentage of its class at ED than other parts of Penn.</p>
<p>“Or should I just try my hand at economics at A&S?” YES!!!</p>
<p>I have the same worry, mostly because of my math scores (800 CR, 700 Math, 800 writing), 35 ACT with 34 math. No SAT subject tests and only calc ab. I have taken business courses and will be taking macro this year, and have decent business ecs with FBLA, but obviously nothing incredible like starting a business. Lost cause?</p>
<p>km1224, I’ll say the same thing to you: “Compared to most Wharton applicants, you’re normal at worst and advantaged at best.”</p>
<p>Wharton isn’t looking to accept people that are successful in business already. They’re looking for people who are promising in their prospects. Do you have good test grades? Sure. Good classes? Yup. Strong ECs? Yeah, FBLA is good. There’s no such thing as a “lost cause”. If you want to apply to Wharton, you have no reason not to. Most people don’t apply to Wharton having already started a business. It’s unrealistic.</p>
<p>You’re as good a candidate as anyone; I’d recommend throwing your application into the mix with everyone else.</p>
<p>I’m planning on applying for the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business, so I guess now I am trying to determine whether to list Wharton or College of Arts and Science (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) as my second choice.</p>
<p>Thanks so much guys. I really appreciate it. One last question: should I include this business thing I did on my common app? I excluded it because we never paid taxes or registered it. It wasn’t even a real business in this regard but we were making some money. We sort of teamed up for support amongst ourselves and sold this product individually. I mean I could keep it excluded and just mention it in my essays like I did for the other schools I applied to. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>I think that you might want to keep it off of the Common App but in the essays. Not because what you did was illegal or illegitimate or anything, but because you can expand more and give more background on your experiences when you talk about them in your essays. </p>
<p>“Started a business” isn’t a very big statement, nor is it what I think Wharton is really looking for. Talking about gaining business experience, however, is EXACTLY what they’re looking for. They want to hear perspective and lessons learned, not necessarily your successes at being an entrepreneur (which is all they’d get from seeing “started a business” on your Common App).</p>
<p>God bless you guys forreal. My school is not very good and the counselors don’t help anyone. I could never have gotten this advice from anyone. I’m the only one in my town applying to Wharton or any Ivies in general. God bless you. You don’t know how much this means to me haha</p>
<p>Hey youngderivative, I remember you from the MathII thread back in last may! I was accepted to wharton recently and I too am from california and go to a relatively unkown school (this year we really got our name out there though). I personally have done a significant amount of finance and microfinance related activities but, I know plenty of people who have not done those types of things and who have gotten in. Don’t worry about having those business ECs. You have a shot you just need to show them that you are unique and can bring something to the Wharton/Penn table. Also, if you dont have any business stuff make sure that you show off how you’ve been a leader and changed the comunity around you (mobilized volunteers, ect.). Best of luck and if you want my full stats check my past history on the Upenn results thread! (do ED, it gives you a HUGE boost)</p>
<p>Hi youngderivative! I was accepted to the Huntsman Program but I didn’t start up any businesses (although I wrote about this candy scam I was running back in 7th grade). But I was involved with running a lot of events and organizing fund raisers. As for your business, just remember to talk about learning outcomes from running it. As for your scores, mine were lower and I think you have a really good chance :)</p>
<p>I already submitted my app a few days ago. But I did everything you guys said to do. I didn’t apply ED though because I wanna keep my chances open for other ivies (i applied EA to harvard but I got deferred LOL). If I get into wharton im gonna find you guys and give you hugs lol. Really appreciate this advice.</p>