(applying to CAS)
I hate talking like this, but do you have “typical asian” ECs because if not, then you can definitely stand out, and as always make your essays different and stand out. Try not to write about an EC, instead make it extremely personal, reflective, thoughtful, and genuine
@sydfun1418 C means composite. The overall ACT score.
Applying ED to College of Arts and Sciences!!!
@vegucated26 Hi! Thanks for your response- i do a couple ‘typical asian’ EC’s like orchestra and I also do biological cancer research, and I volunteer at hospitals, but I also have other things like I lead GSA, i did a leadership fellowship program, and I have stage managed every theater production throughout high school. I’m struggling a little with my common app personal essay, because I feel like I’m mentioning EC’s a lot and don’t know what else to write about. I’m really hoping my essay makes me stand out, especially because I’m struggling with subject tests at the moment (bio and lit). I’m aiming for high 700s but i don’t think i’ll get that high, maybe Ill get like a 730 ):
@sydfun1418 no problem!! and I am struggling with subject tests as well… I decided not to study for Math II and Chem (bad idea lol) and got low 700s so hopefully I can possibly get them up but who knows haha
@vegucated26 yea /: i took lit cold and got a 650, and took bio m cold and got a 710. All i want is a 750+ D: My ACT and GPA are strong, but i just reealllyyy need to get these scores up ):
I’m retaking the ACT in Septemeber and maybe October.
@TACOBOO I feel you, same here! I realized a day before the June ACT that I forgot to register… RIP -.- I’m trying to bump up from a 30 to 34 (I started at a 26), so I got a lot of work to do haha
I think I want to apply to Penn but I’m not completely sure. How good is pre-med there and how hard is it to keep a good GPA?
Edit:Oh dang just noticed that this is the ED discussion…awkward. But still, does anyone know about this?
@Soccer1235 I know a lot of people who go to Penn for pre med and love it! It is definitely a more pre professional school so there are a lot of research/shadowing opportunities and they have great sciences! In fact, I am planning on being pre med and applying to be either a bio or english major
@aneeshs17 Same here! Good luck to both of us!
Future bio or bio basis of behavior (BBB) major!
Has anyone started the supplements yet?
I started a journal where I note down what I can talk about but I haven’t done any real writing. I just have one draft of the common app.
@kassh4 me too. I have been editing and editing my common app, but I’m almost scared to start actually writing the supplements lol
@kashh4 That’s exactly what i’m doing. I basically used the notes app on iPhone during my Penn visit (I was here for a investment competition for HS kids sponsored by Wharton) so we had guest speakers, admissions officers, and tons of other good stuff for us 
whenever I think of a really juicy idea or thought I just throw it in the notebook. I think my main problem though will be organizing it and making connections when I’m writing the essay, rather than a bunch of bullet points.
@vegucated26 really?? Haha I’m more worried about my personal statement. I don’t wanna sound like some robotic Asian who’s passionate about like solving differential equations all day while perfecting the piano LOL. Supplements are so much better, I get ideas firing off in my head left and right. Like, I have TOO many ideas for my supplement… personal statement I feel like it has to be really narrative and intriguing (sorta like writing a fiction book). Like you can’t write about that lame trip to Africa tha made you realize your privelage, or the game winning goal/the big game, or anything super cliche. I feel like the personal statement is more like you’re given a blank sheet of paper and you gotta craft a masterpiece, while at least in the supplement you have the tools to make it happen. Idk, just my 2 cents.
@aneeshs17 Yeah, I get what you mean completely. I guess the supplements just make the idea of college more real haha but the personal statement just feels like an essay I’m writing for fun
I’m almost done with my supplement, and then I can focus on my common app essay.
Does everyone here have a 4.0 34+?