Truthfully, should I even bother applying?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I'm a junior right now, starting to look at colleges. My dad went to UPenn, and would be crushed if I didn't apply. I just want to know, do I even stand a chance of acceptance? I know its so competitive. Any input would be appreciated.</p>

<p>Race: White
-Gender: Female
-High School-Public (very affluent, but barely sends any kids to Ivies)</p>

<p>Academic:
-SAT: 2030 (first time taking with little studying, hoping for a 2100 or close to 2200 with hardcore studying)
-SATII-Haven't taken. Will take Math I and US History
-GPA-94.5 UW/99 W
-Rank-1st Decile
-AP's: Junior Year: Gov, Eng Lang/ Senior Year (likely): Lit, Stat, Bio (school only has around 10 AP's offered, most don't run bc lack of funding, limit of 2 per year)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Athletic:
-Track&Field(Pole Vaulting, on track to get scholarship, got injured)-9,10
-Tennis-JV 9,10/V 11,12 (Captain)
-Black Belt Tae Kwon Do-8,9,10,11,12</p>

<p>Academic:
-Debate Team-JV 9/V-10,11,12 (Captain)
-3rd place regional competition, probably some more soome
-Chinese Club(Treasurer)-11, 12 (will be president)
-Invited to compete in state Chinese Poetry Recitation Competition for nonnative speakers
-School Lit Mag-published 9,10,11-magazine won award 9th
-Barnard Pre-College Program-10,11
-SAFE club</p>

<p>Volunteer
-Assistent teacher Hebrew-2 years/2 hrs/wk
-Hebrew Tutor-for children with special needs-4 years 3 hrs/wk
-Volunteer trip-worked in New Orleans Head Start/Rebuilt house in 9th Ward
-Native American Reservation-coordinating coat drive that will transport airplane load of coats/clothing to a impoverished reservation</p>

<p>Work:
-Counselor-10,11,12-counselor for children with behavioral/emotional problems.
-Instructor-Tae Kwon Do-10,11,12
Research:
-Research Assistent in inner city psychology clinic intervention center (internationally known psychologist)
-Co-author of paper on development in children, published in peer review medical journal</p>

<p>I think my EC's are pretty strong, but I just think my scores may be an automatic rejection.</p>

2

<p>The middle 50% SAT scores for the incoming frosh class of 2014 are here:
[Penn</a> Admissions: Incoming Class Profile](<a href=“http://www.admissionsug.upenn.edu/profile/]Penn”>http://www.admissionsug.upenn.edu/profile/)</p>

<p>2030 is the composite SAT score for the 25th percentile (i.e., 1/4 of the incoming class had SATs below that) </p>

<p>It IS so competitive, and much more so that in your Dad’s time . . . for example, the Ivies typically reject 80% of the valedictorians who apply . . so, if it’s a school you would love to attend there no reason NOT to apply. But do so with your and your Dad’s eyes wide open: it’s very competitive and slots tend to go those with demonstrated excellence in some area in addition to good stats . . . your ECs may help there. </p>

<p>And applying Early Decision would help your chances . . .
[Early-Decision</a> Applications Surge at Vanderbilt, George Washington and Dartmouth - NYTimes.com](<a href=“http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/ed/]Early-Decision”>Early-Decision Applications Surge at Vanderbilt, George Washington and Dartmouth - The New York Times)</p>

<p>Good luck!!!</p>

<p>P.S. And Love Thy Safeties!!!</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the input. I love UPenn, but I Barnard is really my first choice by so much, so I’m applying ED there.</p>

4

<p>Just know, if you applied early decision to Penn, legacy status would really help your application. Your extracurriculars are fantastic, your academics are solid, and your scores are something to be proud of! Admittedly, your scores are not stand-out scores, but even without your legacy status, you would be a solid candidate, especially if you are passionate about Penn and with your ECs. I got in ED this year with a 2030, a 31, a 3.9 unweighted GPA (like a 93-95 average) and 4.8 weighted GPA (I took 7 of the 9 APs at my school and self-studied another; took 14 honors classes), and tutored over 500 hours. It sounds like Barnard is really for you, though, so make sure your father understands that. I hope everything works out for you and you go where you want!</p>

5

<p>I know it would help a lot, and that’s my dilemma. I’m just going to apply RD I guess if I don’t get Barnard, and hope for a miracle, haha.</p>

6

<p>You have plenty of time to improve SAT’s so study. Plan to take the SAT’s in May and maybe subjects in June. That leaves Oct for another shot at either if necessary and Nov for a subject Sat. That places you in perfect timetable to apply ED. As a legacy with improved scores and your GPA and EC’s I would say you should have an excellent shot. Good luck!</p>

7

<p>I’m actually taking the SAT’s in march, hoping to improve my math score 60 points and writing maybe 20, then again in may or june for the extra points to bump it to a 2200, but that may be wishful thinking.</p>

8

<p>I don’t think you’re at all an “automatic reject”. You can definitely raise your scores. For SAT subject tests, I recommend you to take Math 2, not Math 1, since Math 2 is the only one really “looked at” in the ivies. Strong extracurriculars, definitely should apply</p>

9

<p>I’ve heard that, but there are a lot of subjects covered in math ii that i havent covered in my math classes so far-im only up to precalc. math is my worst subject, but the sat ii is nessecary for some colleges.</p>

10

<p>I think you stand a good chance at Barnard, so you need not worry too much.
Good EC’s! Interesting combination of Hebrew and Chinese, haha.</p>

11

<p>Lol thanks…I was definately asian in another life haha.</p>

12

<p>I just wanted to bump this: I got a 2290 on the SAT’s. I’m thinking of applying ED. How would that change my chances?</p>

13

<p>Congratulations on your great new score (although the original score was admirable, too)! I think that you would have a great shot at both Penn and Barnard in either the ED or the RD round. If you have revisited both schools and decided that Penn is the place for you, an ED app, combined with your legacy status, would make you a seemingly great candidate for admission. High SAT II scores, stellar essays and personal recommendations would make your application even stronger. If you aren’t one hundred percent set on Penn, though, you have a profile that would make you an appealing applicant at other top-tier schools, too.</p>

<p>Best of luck with your application process, and here’s to hoping that you’ll be a Quaker next year!</p>

14

<p>You’ve definitely got a strong chance. </p>

<p>As someone else said, I really recommend you don’t take Math 1. Math 2 goes up through precalc, and if you don’t feel good in math, simply take another subject or two. Although if you’re applying to Wharton or Engineering than Math 2 is probably a must.</p>

<p>Apply ED to the school you like best, and start brainstorming on reasons why you like these schools. To get into the Ivies/top tier schools, you need to know what you can bring to the campus and what you’ll do there to make it a better place.</p>

<p>Start writing essays early!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

15

<p>Math 2 definitely isn’t necessary for admission to Penn or Wharton. Take the subject tests that you feel best prepared for.</p>

16

<p>your EC’s are great and so are your scores! my SAT was lower than yours, my ECs weren’t like yours, and I got in =D imho, luck has a big role in the process, so I’ll just say go for it!</p>

<p>and with you all the best with your college applications</p>

17

<p>Your scores really up your chances so that ED is very likely at Barnard and for UPenn. You get a legacy boost from Penn only if you apply ED, but really I think you will likely get into Barnard, and if that is truly your first choice school, go for it.</p>

18

<p>Haven’t decided yet. </p>

<p>I like them both equally, but will only apply to Penn if I have a decent chance there.</p>