Test scores are important because they standardize applicants nationwide. Some schools are significantly more difficult than others, however, test scores at least give some standard measure of the student’s abilities.
I’m gonna be completely honest. I don’t think Penn places such a high level of importance on SAT/ACT scores as you guys think they do. Standardized tests (imo) are one of the stupidest determinants of a student’s capabilities. Literally all it tells the admissions officers is that you are able to take a fairly simple test in a very constrained amount of time. The SAT/ ACT tests are easy as HELL but the reason it’s hard to score high on them is because of the time pressure. High SAT scores don’t make you intelligent, it basically says “congrats you’re a fast accurate test taker”. good for you? After high school and college, you’re never going to be given 45 minutes to perform a task (i guess you could argue depending on what career you go into) but it sure as hell isn’t common bc the best work comes when you’re given a fair amount of time to complete it. I think Penn sees that a person’s EC’s define their character way more than a damn perfect or close to perfect SAT score. GPAs are a different story. While they don’t determine your intelligence or your overall capabilities, they do say something about your work ethic and how much you’re challenging yourself with APs and Honors. Sorry for the rant, just wanted to get this opinion out there.
Has anyone submitted a music portfolio?
I have! @pephen104
@feelthefern I feel you on that! I think Penn does an amazing job of realizing everyone’s potential. Standardized tests ARE dumb. Look at it this way. Some students have literally thousands at their disposal. They can afford all the SAT prep, books, and can do things like start up their own businesses. In comparison to low-income people who can barely even afford a Kaplun book to prepare for the SATs, it is unfair to value their tests equally. That’s why ECs and other things should and do matter more to Penn.
@flumeofficial Oh man, I’ve seen so many Penn ED applicants from last year with summer research, summer internship at tech places, and their own startups on their EC’s! It makes my EC’s feel quite mediocre haha.
@insula I put history as my primary area of interest but if I get into CAS I’m def gonna consider english/comp lit! 
I did a literature course at Oxford and LOVEDDD it. It was funny bc my tour guide at penn mentioned the same summer program I did at Oxford and I talked to her about it and turns out we both studied the exact same subject and lived in the same dorm :-). Small world. Sorry just a weird story bc Im exhausted and just wanna knowwwwww
@andpeggyy I feel you on that. Coming from a low-income family myself, I think it speaks more on character. We’re limited on many things but still have the capability to be excellent. I think that is what Penn wants.
I have done a couple summer ops, but they have either been free or full scholarship. I may be low-income, but I don’t let it define me
i made a company that was actually legit and had a website and everything . do you think they’d verify that?
@Klayyy They might! But as long as it’s legit and everything, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. May I ask what kind of company it was?
@flumeofficial That’s so true! Unfortunately, I haven’t done much summer ops since I couldn’t find many tech ones in my area since I’m an engineering major; I’m just hoping it won’t work against me too much. You’re amazing for what you did though!
I am literally refreshing the Penn Admissions twitter every five minutes. It’s literally almost midnight. I think I’m losing my mind :)>-
why? @queenharambe
wait, but what would they release at midnight? wouldn’t they be asleep?
I don’t know if this has been discussed, but has anyone else seen in the Penn applicant portal that the whole paragraph about decisions being posted there has been deleted? It was under the Welcome, (insert name).
No they’re definitely asleep, I’m just crazy nervous.
@queenharambe haha that’s such a cute story about your tour guide. Maybe it’s a good sign. Woo humanities majors represent
I really hope they update tomorrow. It won’t be over a weekend. So if not tomorrow, it won’t be until the 5th…
Current volunteer in admissions office, probs tmrw 5 PM EST. may change as we are waiting on some final people to review applications. good luck
Oh yeah I’m running for senate 2040