<p>I am going to apply for UPenn Wharton, and Duke this fall with hopes of getting admitted like everyone else. I see everyone on here has 2200+ SAT scores, 32+ ACT and great GPA's and EC's... While I have a pretty good GPA, am ranked 3rd, a decent amount of EC's, my SAT's are sub 1900 and ACT is below a 30. The thing I thought that makes me stand out is that I run a successful online business with over 5,500+ sales in more than 20 countries in less than a year of being open... Do you think that one EC is enough to make me stand out and be competitive, or should I not even bother???</p>
<p>Well, sheesh, if you can do all that, why can’t you retake the SAT (or ACT)?</p>
<p>Yes, your business achievement will make you stand out . . . but only at schools where your test scores are competitive. The test scores are supposed to be an indicator of how you’ll perform in college. So it doesn’t matter how impressed the admissions officers are with your accomplishments, if they think you won’t be able to hack it at Penn, you won’t be admitted.</p>
<p>Use some of your earnings, hire a private tutor if you need to, but figure out why your scores aren’t stronger . . . and fix them!</p>
<p>Wow your extracurriculars are out of the park. I have to say that colleges will absolutely LOVE the fact that you run your own business. However, Upenn and Duke are highly competitive schools and look for SAT scores 2100+(my guess)… and they definitely at least a 30 on the ACT. </p>
<p>I suggest you take the tests again, they are extremely important in a college profile since they show whether or not you have the skills necessary to be ready for college. Practice makes perfect. Over 3 years, I went from a 1480 to a current 2100 as a junior. It is possible to do well on those tests and from personal experience, I can tell you that you can do it. Bring those scores up and you are guaranteed admission to those schools. Good luck!</p>
<p>You should emphasize your one big EC. I would say that you have a very good chance of standing out from most other Ivy applicants, which definitely works in your favor.</p>
<p>I agree that you need to work on your test scores if you want to be considered at those schools.</p>