University of Pennsylvania

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I hear back in March and I am freaking out!
Anyways, I am applying for Visual Studies, which is basically a combination of Fine Arts, Psych, and Neuroscience. My GPA is about a 4.0 weighted. I got a 2160 superscore on my SAT, 700 on Math I, and 680 on Math II (I didnt know which subject test to take because literally none of them pertained to my major). My Common App essay was beautiful (I wrote an essay about how my past makes me more compassionate and how I am a peer mentor for students struggling with adversity.) and my supplement was basically based off of my philosophy of perception and how I will foster that at the University of Pennsylvania through the Visual Studies major. I also submitted an art portfolio, I am at an honors art level at my school. I am super artsy, and I love Penn because of its culture and amazing atmosphere. I am south Indian and bilingual. I am the second person to go to college in my family. </p>

<p>• Yearbook Committee Staff Member/Senior Editor (9-12)
• Newspaper Club Member/Senior Layout Editor (10-12)
• Future Business Leaders of America, Chapter President (11, 12)
Placed 1st in regionals and 11th in state competition for Ms. Future Business Leader of America competition
• Tennis Team (9-12)
Senior varsity squad captain
District All League Honorable Mention
• Ireland Exchange Program (12)
• High School elected Peer Mentor (11, 12)
• Spanish Club (9, 10, 11, 12)
Treasurer/Stand-In Officer, “Adopt A Hispanic Family for the Holiday” Co-Organizer
Other activities include: Library Aide (11, 12), Interact Club (9, 10, 11, 12), Winter Chorus (9, 10, 11), Spring-Musical (9, 10), Fall Play Crew (10), SNAP Club (11, 12), Prom Committee (11)</p>

<p>HONORS & AWARDS:</p>

<p> Distinguished Honor Roll/Honor Roll
 National Honor Society
 Thespian Society
 AP Scholar Award Winner
 All League Honorable Mention Tennis Player
 Julian Krinsky at University of Pennsylvania Graphic Design Award
 Festival of the Arts: 1st Place for short story</p>

<p>COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:
• Medical Center Volunteer (9, 10, 11)
• Community Theatre, 13 shows (8, 9, 10, 11,12)
• Teacher Aide: Summer Cleanup (10)
• Community Face Painter for fairs, etc. (10, 11, 12)</p>

<p>ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES:
• Competitive Dance (9, 10, 11)
• Julian Krinsky at University of Pennsylvania Visual Arts Summer Program (11)
Julian Krinsky at University of Pennsylvania Graphic Design Distinction Award</p>

<p>WORK EXPERIENCE:
• Kumon Center Tutor, worked with children ages 5-10 with math & reading skills </p>

2

<p>You seem like the ideal candidate. I wouldn’t be surprised if you got in! On the contrary, there are tons of other great applicants. Penn is one of the hardest schools to get into, so don’t be too surprised if you don’t get in. It can go either way, but you have reason to have hope because you are probably one of the most qualified visual arts applicants.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

3

<p>The fact that you got a distinction award at a UPenn program is going to make your app stand out more! If you had one of those UPenn faculty write you a rec, that would probably have increased your chances even more.</p>

<p>Your passion is definitely there, but as the above poster pointed out, the admissions rates are extremely low. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>@sickofapps, I actually asked one of the graphic design teachers to write me a rec because I had grown close to her through the program, initially she said that she would, but the date approached the deadline and the school never received the rec from her. I guess she never sent it in, which is super unfortunate, especially since I followed up a couple of times but def. not to an overbear. @shk909 Do you think that the major for which I applied will change my chances of getting into the school (make it easier/harder)? Also, I slept on it and realized that these schools are so unpredictable, it would be pointless worrying/trying to change the outcome. Thanks so much for the confidence boost though!!! :slight_smile: </p>

5

<p>@Sari12 Hmm…I don’t know much about the visual arts major. I know that Wharton is the hardest to be accepted to. So, at least visual arts isn’t the most difficult! Keep us updated when you hear back </p>

6

<p>@shk909 didn’t get in! :frowning: oh well! got a full ride to one of my top schools so whatever </p>

7

<p>oh well sorry bout upenn; but what school did you choose?</p>

8

<p>@sari12 I’m sorry to hear that. Where are you going? Congrats on your full ride, its well deserved.</p>

9

Hi! What school did you get in at last? Just curious. I’m applying to a music major at Penn this year! =)