<p>.I am a sophomore in high school and my desire is to go to UPENN. I currently am in all honors classes and have all As and have over a 4.0 gpa. I do not play any sports in my school and have no current volunteer work. I do plan to plan sports for my school this year and i plan to volunteer at a hospital this year. I skipped a year of math and i am currently a year ahead of my grade. I will most likley end up in the top 5 of my class when i am a senior. Also i plan to take AP classes when they are offered. I would like to know if u have any pointers that be useful for me. I also am in a few clubs in my school.</p>
<p>First pointer: refer to it as Penn, and not UPENN. :)</p>
<p>First, your grades are excellent and you'll want to keep them up. My sense is Penn relies very heavily on your grades and class rank.
Second, rather than spreading yourself too thin among various clubs etc., pursue those that you are really passionate about, and do so with a vengence. Penn, like all top schools, wants to see dedication and true interest.<br>
Third, don't chart your high school career based on your perception of what any particular college wants to see. Enjoy yourself. Explore your passions.<br>
And finally, don't get your heart set on Penn or any other particular school. Admissions are very competitive and the vast majority of applicants at Penn (and other competitive schools) are rejected. As you progress through your high school years, think about what you want in a college. If Penn still seems like a good fit when you are a senior, by all means apply. But think about a wide range of schools that will suit you, and don't get too attached to any one school.</p>
<p>^too late for us seniors ehhh. I have a burning sensation whenever i look at pictures of Penn's campus... maybe i have an STD.........</p>
<p>Like goldiefish said, the one thing that makes you stand out of everyone else is your sense of passion and dedication to a specific area (or maybe even two areas, but you'll have to be a beast). Try finding an area you like and looking for events and leadership opportunities related to that area. Don't just do it for the "stats," do it because you love it.</p>
<p>
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First pointer: refer to it as Penn, and not UPENN.
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</p>
<p>But then it sounds like Penn State...</p>
<p>Could you get yourself adopted by an alum?</p>
<p>My mom also went to upenn medical school if that helps.</p>
<p>If she received her MD degree here, you are considered a legacy which is a big advantage if you apply ED. Penn</a> Alumni: Alumni Council on Admissons</p>
<p>she went back to school there and graduated while she was 36 years old would that make any difference?</p>
<p>I'm sure it would still be the same</p>
<p>As long as her degree says University of Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>
First pointer: refer to it as Penn, and not UPENN.
</p>
<p>But then it sounds like Penn State...
[/quote]
Nevertheless, the vast majority of students, alumni, faculty, and staff--and the school ITSELF (except in its web site URL)--refer to the school as Penn, and not UPenn. Just look on any page of Penn's web site, or on any shirt, mug, etc. in the Penn bookstore.</p>
<p>Virtually all people with more than casual familiarity with the school call it Penn. Of course, it's up to you how familiar with the school you want to sound in your application. :)</p>
<p>I'd say something that benefits applicants is research experience of any kind.</p>