UPenn engineering transfer chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

I’m currently at a T50 college. I have enjoyed it, but in my time here I have realized that I would like to specialize in computer graphics. I would like to transfer to a school that has a more extensive program. The two schools I am strongly considering are UPenn (Digital Media Design, DMD) and Columbia University. I would be applying to Penn SEAS and Columbia College (not SEAS). When applying to schools during senior year of high school, I remember visiting Penn and really enjoying the small tight-knit community that the DMD program fostered. Additionally, I really like how Penn is split up into the different schools so that I can take many different classes. Penn also has a couple other unique clubs I am interested in joining. When visiting Columbia during my senior year, I remember meeting the sailing team. The students and the faculty running the sport were fun to be around. Both schools also have an electronic music class that I am very interested in. My school does not have any electronic music classes. Also, both schools have sailing teams which my school does not have nor the interest in forming.

College GPA: 4.0, first two semesters and I fulfilled the Penn SEAS transfer class requirements

High School GPA: 3.8/4.0 weighted, 3.7/4.0 unweighted

AP scores: Biology(5), Chemistry(4), Microeconomics (4), Macroeconomics(4), Computer Science A(4, Self studied), Calculus BC(4), Psychology(4)

ACT: 34C (33E, 35M, 32R, 36S), 3 sittings

SAT IIs: 790 Chemistry, 780 Math 2

Extracurriculars:

Lead App Developer for my camp community

  • Led a couple peers in developing a news app for camp
  • saving over 300 pieces of paper a week that would be spent on sharing announcements with parents
  • over 350 downloads on iOS and Android

Performed AI research at my college

Will be doing summer computer graphics research at Penn next summer

  • working with a professor and a couple of other students using C++

Developed an online tutoring hub that provides tutoring to students

  • a couple users a week use this
  • got some offers from investors

Camp Counselor Group Leader during summers

  • In charge of 15 children and 3 peer counselors.
  • I plan activities to do in a lake.

Researching breast cancer treatments at Stevens IT in High School

  • I thought that I wanted to do medicine in high school. No research papers. I have since changed my mind. Should I add this or not?

Attended a hackathon

Competitive sailor with some awards

3D art portfolio

Are these enough EC’s? Any tips on what to do for this year to improve my chances? Thanks for reading!

2

Your ACT looks solid. Your HS GPA is a bit low, but you seem to have covered it with your college grades. You don’t seem to have any big HS EC’s, but you appear to be quite active in college.

I suspect that if your art is good that would be quite helpful. I would also be specific, as you have done here about what you could get from Penn that you can’t get at your current school. I think that EC engagement should be an important component of that answer. A positive and enthusiastic tone probably helps too.

I think you have a shot, but it will depend on who else applies because there are only so many places available. Based on what you have said here, I think it could go either way.