To the most honourable UPenn Students: how can I get in?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>The most honourable Ivy League UPenn students of 2011,
I am a pathetic, if not despicable, newly-admitted UCLA undergrad, class of 2012. I have already determine that UCLA is not my ideal school, because my major, business economics, is a bad major in UCLA, plus UCLA is not that good anyways. I feel greatly ashamed that I did not apply to UPenn several months ago. Therefore, I am planning to get out of UCLA as soon as possbile and hopefully I can transfer to UPenn or any other Ivies by this time next year. So, I want to know more about the requirements and secrets of how to get in UPenn. I wonder what kind of classes and activities I should have in order to get in. Thank you very much!</p>

<p>Here is my info (as of today, right before college starts):</p>

<p>High School Class Rank: Valedictorian
High School Class Size: 420
Unweighted GPA: 4.00
Weighted GPA: 4.33
ACT: 28
SAT Critical Reading: 560 (highest ever)
SAT Math: 780 (highest ever)
SAT Writing: 710 (highest ever)
Highest ever single SAT: 1980 (Reading 550, Math 720, Writing 710 w/essay score 10)</p>

<p>SAT II Math II: 720
SAT II Physics: 780
SAT II US History: 770</p>

<p>AP Calculus AB: 5
AP Calculus BC: 4
AP Chemistry: 5
AP Chinese: 5
AP Comparative Government: 4
AP English Literature: 3
AP European History: 5
AP Physics B: 5
AP Physics C: 4
AP US History: 5
AP World History: 5</p>

<p>Awards and Extracurriculars
College Awards (before entering):
UCLA Scholarship Recognition Award
UCLA Honors Program</p>

<p>High School Awards:
Valedictorian Award
California Scholarship Life Membership
AP National Scholar 2008
AP Scholar with Distinction 2007
History Department Award
Bank of America Physics Certificate
Bank of America English Certificate
President's Volunteer Service Award
High School Alumni Award
Finance Academy Graduation Certificate
California Golden State Examination Honour</p>

<p>Activities:
California Scholarship Federation (volunteer organization, including extensive peer tutoring and monthly zoo clean-up)
8-week Summer internship at Wells Fargo Bank, 2007
103 hrs of volunteer at Laguna Honda Hospital (2006)
40 hrs of volunteer at Gordon J. Lau Elementary School (2006)
44 hrs of volunteer at Exploratorium science museum (2005)
AP Club member (12th grade)
Physics Club member (11th grade)
Math Club member (9th - 11th grade)
Fundraiser for China's Sichuan earthquake in May 2008</p>

<p>In conclusion, I am very depressed that I didn't get in any desired schools (i.e. Ivy Leagues or Stanford). Even Berkeley rejected me. I am stuck in UCLA, only because I have no where else to go. I can work my butt off next year if it can make me get out of LA and go to the most honourable UPenn. Oh I feel really bad about my SAT score. I know 1980 is considered a very low score to any Ivy League school, but there's nothing more I can do about it. I came to this country in late 2003. I don't know.
Please tell me what I should do. Thank you!
PS: Can anyone tell me which major I should choose when I apply as transfer?</p>

2

<p>Wow,
UCLA isn’t a bad school! It’s actually hard to get into!
But your stats look amazing. If you want to transfer, keep your GPA up at UCLA.</p>

3

<p>The only blemish is that SAT reading, but if you do very well in college - and with your HS school record, it certainly appears as though you will - you’ll get in.</p>

4

<p>Thanks. I will definitely try my best to “do very well in college” as you say.
I want to know, does UPenn like a well-rounded student or a focused student more?</p>

5

<p>Well-rounded with a focus</p>

6

<p>with all those awards I would figure you know how to read…apparently not.</p>

7

<p>You should major in the field that most interest you. Everything else being equal, your standardized test scores suggest that engineering is a better fit.</p>

8

<p>'m on the west coast and my son in attending Penn. Honestly, I think UCLA is a great school and is getting to be very difficult to get into. I have never heard anyone on the West Coast say UCLA is “not that good anyways.” I have heard that said about some of the other Cal schools, but not UCLA.</p>