This is my 5th chance thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I'm not sure why I put up chance threads. I'm a little scared to put on up at an Ivy.</p>

<p>GPA UW: 3.6-3.7
GPA W: 4.3-4.4
( A lame excuse for my drop in grades would probably be that I moved in between semesters of junior year. Yeah I know, I still should have done better)</p>

<p>6 honors classes Freshman year
8 honors sophomore year
9 (kind of, pretty much 8 1/2) junior year</p>

<p>APs:
AP Bio- 5
AP Chem- probably a 3 or 4
AP US- 5
AP English Language- 4
AP US Gov't- 4
AP Microeconomics- probably 5
AP Macroeconomics- probably 4 or 5
AP Human Geography- mostly likely 5
AP Environmental Science- most likely 5
AP Statistics- most likely 5</p>

<p>Going for 7 tests next year.</p>

<p>Senior year:
Dual enroll: Philosophy, English, European History, plus 3 more second semester
Math and Science Center: AP Calc BC, Organic and Bio Chem, AP Physics C</p>

<p>When I transferred I got accepted to a small, private math and science center that's pretty well known by the top universities. Next year I'm just dual enrolling at a university for half the day and going to the math center.</p>

<p>ACT: 31, going for 32 or 33
SAT II (PREDICTED):
US History: 760+
Bio- 780-800
Math 2: 710 (will retake for a 750+)</p>

<p>ECs: Band- section leader since 7th grade. Jazz Band, University band, Civic Band in the university/community. State honors band 2 years (moved out of state so I couldn't do it again.) I also am not in the school band here b/c I had to chose between band and the math and science center. State S/E since 8th grade, NHS 2nd year next year, volunteered at the hospital 70 hours plus going for 150+ hours at Habitat for Humanity this summer, Science Olympiad 3 years, (some sports here and there that don't matter b/c I never contributed anything)</p>

<p>yeah not much in the EC department, I hope that's okay though. Maybe some opportunities will arise next year.</p>

<p>Essay: Not sure, I've got some good ideas. Will probably get the help of an English professor this fall. I think they will be really good- they've really got to be b/c it's my only chance... lol
Recommendations: again, since I just moved here this will be difficult. I could use my bio teacher of 2 years but that was when I was younger.</p>

<p>I'm not sure if there's anything else really. Moving really hurt me as far as extracurriculars and grades first semester. I know it's not that great of an excuse, but I hope it's some what understandable.</p>

2

<p>First of all you need to state which undergrad school at Penn you are applying to, because your interests (such as ecs) should correspond to the nature of that school.</p>

<p>Like you said, your GPA is quite low. Try to bring that up next year. You also need to bring up your ACT and SAT Math II scores, especially if you’re applying to Wharton.</p>

<p>Your ecs (sorry to be blunt) are run of the mill. Hoping for great opportunities next year (your senior year) isn’t going to help. Adcom wants to see sustained interest in a few fields, meaning doing a few activities over a long period of time.</p>

<p>Definitely nail the essay and find great, enthusiastic teachers. That’s pretty much one of the few things you can improve drastically.</p>

<p>Overall, I’d say you have mediocre-to-low chances. I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t get in. Sorry.</p>

3

<p>i want to be a little more gentle on you than Epaminondas
So i will list positives and negatives
Pos -<br>
you go to a prestgious school
your Aps seem like they will yield good results
Your Sats aren’t too bad
Negatives
apparently your GPa is weak- ( not hopeless)
your extracurriculars are weak (that’s bad)</p>

<p>This is what I learned from going on a U Penn tour.

  1. If your essay is great - they are more likely to take you. The tour guide said that officers look very highly on good essays
  2. You need to be in the right range- however, if you GPA isn’t perfect- it’s not the end of your life</p>

<p>Overally, I say a maybe. Admissions applications are always like that and you can hope to find an E>C you are passionate about in your senior year. Finally, you don’t HAVE to got to UPENN. DO have safeties. and finally, if you don’t get in at first - that is what transfers are for. Finally, will you answer my HELP Listmaking post- I would love some feedback</p>

4

<p>Are you going on to junior or going on to be a senior?
If the latter, you are in a pickle. At the time of application, you will effectively have 4 AP scores, a bit low. And you are taking 3 SAT in like September and October? Wats wrong with taking them in June? That seems a little hard to do in addition to the essays and application and etc.
Act is low. Try the SAT I, some do better on one or the other.
All and all, id say it is an average application (30% ED rate).
And apparently you go a prestigious school (dont see it on post)?
If that is true, they will understand the rigor of the school.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>