I applied to Penn ED for CAS with an intended major in physics. I live in state.
Here is a quick overview of my stats:
ACT: 34 (35 E and 33 all other sections)
GPA: 4.00UW, 4.79W
Class rank: school does not rank
EC’s: a lot of leadership. Captain of crew team, director of morning announcements, Penn lab research position, research cited at international conference by keynote speaker, aerial video rig operator with footage utilized in local commercial programming, tutor for elementary schoolers.
Possible hooks:
My mom works at Penn. I have a letter of recommendation from the chair of her department being sent to admissions.
Letter of recommendation from the lab that I work in is also being sent
Information on my research was included on common app.
Senior year schedule:
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP BC Calculus
AP Physics 2
AP E&M
Japanese 2 H
US GOV H
British Literature H
The catch: I did not take subject tests! Crazy, I know, but I just did not get the chance to take them. Personally, I find it super hard to believe that admissions would deny me because I didn’t take subject tests, especially while I have my own legitimate research (conducted at Penn), a good GPA, good test scores, letter of recommendation from the chair of a Penn department, etc.
I understand that no one really knows my chances, but I’d like to hear some other people’s opinions on how in trouble they think I am. So, what do you think? Am I at a major disadvantage because I failed to take subject tests? Assume that my essays are very good and show a clear fit and interest in Penn.
Thank you for your thoughts.