Think I'm on track to getting in?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

I’m a high school sophomore at one of the better prep schools in the country(very closely located to Penn) and by the end of this year my GPA should be about a 4.03 throughout these first two years. Grade wise I’ve been very comfortable, I’ll end high school taking these classes:

Honors Calculus 2
-Average students end with Calc 1
Honors History
Honors Spanish V
-farthest you can go in Spanish
Honors English
Music
-most students only take an art for 1 year, I’ll be taking music for all 4 years
Science
-I’m taking Honors Chemistry right now and having some troubles, odds are I’ll continue being in honors for the rest of my school career but let’s assume I end up with honors through my 2nd year and then take regular after. I had an A in physics but only have a B in Chemistry which is my worst grade ever(the hardest course at our school actually and just not my thing).

Extra curricular:
Varsity athlete in track, I got a varsity letter my Freshman year and will continue to receive one every year in the Javelin. I intend to break my school’s record this year and by the time I’m a senior just being modest I’ll say that I throw 180ft(I expect to throw over 200) and win the independent school state championships at least. The best throwers at the moment for Penn(number clearly rounded, could be slightly off but this is what I found):
Penn 180ft

On the debate team, will be the captain senior year most likely and have participated in national tournaments

Selected by my teachers as a leader to be a part of the school’s gender and culture club

Charity:
Associated with Wildlife Warriors, mother used to be an ambassador

Traveled to the Congo and built schools, delivered food, etc.

Member of Project Sunshine in New York

Other stuff:
Pianist although I do not do competitions or anything I will soon be creating and sharing my own music

Penn is a legacy school. My father went to Penn and was on the track team, my aunt goes to Penn and is currently on the track team also and one of the best athletes they have. I intend to be the third. Live in Philadelphia so native for Penn.

I’m African American which apparently helps a lot

How does this look as my resume? Anything I should add on? More extracurriculars for example? How worried should I be about the B I have in Chemistry(Only B I have ever had and will ever have)?

2

you have absolutely no chance because of that B…no but serious do what you love and enjoy high school. Youre too young to be obsessed with Penn.

3

I am loving high school at the moment, just wanted to know if I should be doing anything else to increase my odds of getting in

4

@PrinceJay‌

Penn does count legacies so if you apply early decision, you have an increased probability of getting in (the early admit overall is ~24-25%, but for legacy, I read somewhere it could go up to ~40%). Colleges are looking for URMs that are also great students due to the diversity factor. These two factors should help (and definitely not hurt) you.
As for your academics, make sure you have a good, stable record.

Every high school offers different courses (honors, AP, IB) so my advice is to take some challenging courses your school offers that appeals to you in junior year. That doesn’t mean to take ALL of them - everybody differs when it comes to academics and some might feel overwhelmed when simultaneously taking hard classes. What I’m trying to say is make sure you challenge yourself but don’t overkill!!!

If it makes you feel any better, I heard Penn likes to take students from Philly. Depending on which internal school you apply for, the acceptance rate might differ.

Anyway, enjoy sophomore year, I do believe it’s slightly early to think about college (I didn’t start until spring of junior year lol) so don’t stress out about it. Good luck!