UPenn/Wharton

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi guys,

This is my first post on CC after being a lurker for over year. I’m a junior in high school and I’m wondering what my chances are applying to UPenn CAS and Upenn Wharton. I feel like I have a decent pattern in my extracurriculars, but I’m not sure whether they are more tailored to an economics major, business major, or something else entirely! Here’s my resume; chance me please!

Objective:
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): 2300 (770/740/800/8) first and only sitting
SAT II (subject, score): Haven’t taken, projected to be 750+
Unweighted/Weighted GPA: 3.9 ish UW
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School doesn’t rank
AP/IB (place score in parentheses):
Sophomore year:
-APUSH (4)
-AP Lang (4)

Junior year (currently enrolled in)
-AP Government with We The People
-AP Calc AB
-AP Environmental

Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.):
-(planning to be) AP Scholar with Distinction
-hopefully I’ll make the cut for National Merit
-First place in Yale essay contest and other smaller essay contests
-local high school award in math
-second place in We The People state competition
-outstanding achievement award in Johns Hopkins talent search
-school nominee for NCTE
-a few other random awards such as NHS

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (name, grade levels, leadership, description):
-The Public Speaking Club (founder/president)
-School newspaper (co-editor in chief)
-DECA (co-president)
-Class treasurer
-Black belt
-published author of a fantasy novel
-JV crew
-JV lacrosse

Work/volunteer experience:
-manager/editor/reporter at a startup financial literacy website for young adults
-(projected) summer intern at a local startup or a large corporation such as JP Morgan
-(projected) Yale Young Global Scholars program
-created a tutoring business that has generated several thousands in revenue for local high school tutors
-volunteer tutor for struggling students in middle and high school
-other random volunteer work

Other:
U.S. State/Territory or Country: Highly competitive state
School Type: Large public
Ethnicity: Part white, part asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket Range: No financial aid
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development): I wish

Notes:
I go to a highly competitive school that sends around 50 kids to ivy or ivy-caliber schools each year. Based on my entire resume I would say I’m in the top 20 students in my class. I’m not a science kid (as you can probably tell), but I’m pretty strong in math and very strong in business and writing.
***Please assume that I will accomplish all my projected achievements

What do you guys think? Any suggestions?

2

I am not an admissions expert and I am not familiar with UPenn/Wharton selections. But I will say that after reading chance threads for many months that your application in particular is as they say: “good as any.” Especially because you do not present the board with a rank, nobody will be able to make a true conjecture.

Someone can tell you that perhaps you should have gotten a 4.0, a bit more on the SAT, hope for 800’s on your SAT II’s, but honestly your extracurriculars and stats put you in the competitive pool, barring some confounding variable that I didn’t pick up on immediately. I can’t make a statement with regards to your published novel as the extent of the prominence of the publisher or its importance is unknown to me, a simple CC user. You have as good a chance as any. I have seen people who have really deserved a slot go ignored and underdogs scoop up placings that were very impressive.

Your comments on your school in particular should be very comforting to you. If you honestly believe you are in the top 20 of a school that sends 50+ to elite universities you are looking to be in great shape. Expand your search and throw as many darts at the board as possible if reaching an elite school is really your goal.

As a junior you’ll want to maintain your grades and continue to perform well on any exams. Have someone, perhaps even on CC, read some of your writing. Your essays may be the difference between you and your fellow applicants, although this varies from school to school. (I understand that you have accomplished much in the field of writing - but you never know what someone may point out to you that can improve your writing for admissions.)

Read some economics publications or news outlets, I would recommend “The Economist.” The economics graduates I have interviewed with were very impressed with my familiarity with this particular publication. It is UK-based and also generates fascinating perspectives on American politics from across the pond.

3

Thank you so much for the insightful reply! It was exactly what I was looking for. And I’ll definitely take your advice - the Economist sounds perfect!