UPenn GPA forgiveness

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
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<p>How forgiving is Penn with low GPAs under extenuating circumstances? </p>

<p>I know Uchicago allows almost an entire essay in which you can explain your case and most top universities are very holistic, however my low GPA is such that I've lost a bit of motivation to apply to any Ivys. After several life threatening hospitalizations constant medication that has affected my sleep cycle dramatically, high school has been very difficult and I've struggled to maintain a 3.0 UW. </p>

<p>I've taken a ton of AP classes and got the AP scholar award for 2013, my SATs are now 2250 (highest in my class) and i'm taking it again in December hoping to improve to 2300+. My teachers have considered me to be a very good writer and I've gotten good feedback on my essays. Im also Vice president and Co-founder of my chess club, have several awards in all of my other EC's at state level including HOSA and TSA. I am also fluent in Spanish, and proficient in Russian (for what that matters), I have other decent ECs but that's not what I'm posting about so I won't mention them.</p>

<p>With that said (assuming my ECs are sufficient), I'd like to consider myself a viable applicant for schools like Penn and Uchicago but getting in with a 3.0 is simply unheard of. From what I hear these schools in particular are very GPA oriented. </p>

<p>Assuming the strength of all other aspects of my application, would I be able to overcome my grade trouble? </p>

<p>What other schools of the same caliber as Penn (if any) would I have a chance at?</p>

<p>I am applying to the college of Arts and Sciences as a Chemistry Major.</p>

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<p>Re: Penn itself, it sounds to me like you are the sort of student they are looking for, apart from the GPA. Is it possible you’d be admitted? Absolutely. Would I recommend resting all your hopes on it? No. Would I recommend giving up and losing your motivation? Absolutely not.</p>

<p>My impression from your post is that you are a genuinely smart kid who has been beleaguered by some tough circumstances. Don’t let those circumstances prevent you from reaching for the schools you want to reach for.</p>

<p>That being said, the vast majority of the “fishing” in Ivy admissions is “catch and release”, so you’ll have to expect a fair chance of being thrown back. </p>

<p>So, go for Penn, but consider other options. </p>

<p>Now, what do you mean when you say “schools of the same caliber as Penn”?</p>

<p>General prestige? Intellectual rigor? Ability to get jobs immediately after undergrad? Ability to get into top graduate programs?</p>

<p>Also, something else to factor in: how are your health problems now? Is your sleep cycle back on track? Is the worst behind you?</p>

<p>These things all matter.</p>

<p>For example, Reed is a great LAC and a top producer of eventual Chemistry PhDs. However, it is also known for a crushing workload. If you are still dealing with the health issues it may make more sense to go somewhere that has an excellent Chem program but a somewhat less demanding stress level.</p>

<p>Kalamazoo is another top LAC producer of Chemistry PhDs. Also Carleton and Wooster and New College of Florida. These would still have a difficult workload, but reputedly not quite as cruel as that at Reed. (Bonus: Carleton is no-fee if you apply online, so nothing to lose by trying). K’zoo and Wooster have acceptance rates around 60%, but don’t let that fool you - the student body is very self-selected at these schools and you can expect a gang of fellow smarties to be surrounding you.</p>

<p>Maybe you’re looking more for mainstream prestige, but if that were the case I suspect you’d be targeting HYP instead of Penn and Chicago. My hunch is that you’re majoring in Chemistry because you want to pursue it to a terminal degree, in which case intra-academia prestige matters more than extra-academia prestige. And all of the schools above have that intra-academia reputation that will get you into great grad programs.</p>

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<p>@DreamSchlDropout</p>

<p>Thank you for that very informative response. </p>

<p>To clarify, my ultimate goal is to go to a very respectable grad school for chemical engineering. However, at a place like Penn, and given my very shallow calculus background, I’d feel more comfortable starting with undergrad chemistry. I’m looking for an undergraduate degree that holds a lot of weight and will give me the best chance at a good graduate school. </p>

<p>As far as my current situation goes, things are much better as I’ve been out of the hospital for over a year and my medication is fading now close to zero. This has reflected a major improvement with my senior year grades (expecting a 3.7-3.8 UW avg by mid-year), all A’s with the exception of one C in a class I transferred out of because of strained teacher relations. My recommendation letters also reflect that I’ve had many struggles and a significant recent improvement. </p>

<p>So to rephrase my original question, what do you think is the best school for me to apply to for undergrad in terms of weight among grad schools, and reasonable balance between academic rigor and free time (good quality of life)?</p>

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<p>I honestly have no idea but want to challenge you to further analyze your situation and ask yourself if a rigorous Ivy League program is the best thing for you.</p>

<p>From what I see, many of these kids are moving at 100mph almost constantly, participating in activities and looking for summer opportunities, travel, etc.</p>

<p>You’ve been through some illnesses so maybe you have some ideas on how you’d like to spend your time which is your life - </p>

<p>I don’t discourage any path for you if you are wavering on the idea of going for an Ivy - however - you were sick and your grades suffered. What happens in college? Why didn’t your high school cut you slack while dealing with your illness? I see kids with ADHD and other conditions making great grades because allowances are made for their diagnosis. Why not for a real physically threatening illness?</p>