<p>Hey guys</p>
<p>I just was curious to all the vals and sals that were rejected/deferred, why you think so? Is it less-than-stellar test scores, or mediocre EC’s, or what? I know Penn rejects about half of all valedictorians, so which half seems to get in?</p>
<p>I suppose I'm classified as a shared val, although my school doesn't recognize it. I was deferred from Penn-Wharton. My guess is that my 2120 was not high enough.</p>
<p>I'm not a val. or sal., but I was deferred, and you mentioned mediocre ECs being a reason, so I have to ask: do you think it's really feasible for a deferree to get accepted in the RD round even though he/she had very mediocre ECs? The rest of my application is about average for Penn (which still feels inadequate, but bare with me here), but my ECs were mostly from school and a varsity sport. I've held leadership positions, but none held the 'president' title. Shouldn't Penn know that the chances of us significantly changing our ECs, etc. (non-academic stuff) would be virtually impossible in a mere ~4 months? I understand they still compare deferrees with the RD group, and pick and choose from there, but there will still be a "bottom" percentile among the deferrees, and I feel like that's where I stand. Thoughts?</p>
<p>i got deferred from wharton and i was val (not shared). I dont really think anything really stood out negatively for me. My extracurriculars weren't exception, but aside from that, my SATs were 2100 (but one would think a 35 ACT would counteract that). I have a feeling my GC wrote me a horrible rec tho.</p>
<p>Extra essays + extra rec will help. They don't expect a complete face lift, but show your passion...that's a hook.</p>
<p>I graduated in the top 5% of my high school class and I know that both our val and sal were rejected from their first choice schools also. I would have to agree that it is the lack of EC's or maybe they wanted a more well-rounded class (ie. one that didn't consist of only vals and sals). Only the admissions committees know the answer to that question really.</p>
<p>bongo23, do you think it would be wise to write a personal letter to my regional director? Penn has undoubtedly affected me in a positive way, regardless of the decision. I need to let them know that, but I don't want to make it sound like I'm trying to bootlick or get desperate. I may not remember Penn every day for the rest of my life, but it has motivated me into a stronger candidate even for my non-1st choice schools.</p>
<p>I don't want to bore you guys to death, but I just want to mention a little bit of how Penn has inspired me. Basically, by the end of junior year, my SAT scores were extremely mediocre (1200 or 1800 range). I had virtually no intention of improving them either, because I really felt hopeless. I felt that I would just apply to colleges and hope for the best, even though my chances will definitely be low. So, one day during the summer, I visited Penn. Needless to say, I loved it. It disproved all of my prejudices about urban, unsafe, too-close-to-home schools. I continued to research every facet about Penn no matter how big or small, and it eventually turned into my #1. I just can't ignore the fact that my SAT scores didn't even fall near their 25th percentile, so I thought I'd crack a book or two open and study. I did just that--1 to 2 hours every day of the summer until the Oct. SAT. By the time I knew it, school started, and it was October, just in time for my test. 10 days later, all of my hardwork would boil down to one number: my SAT score. I know it's nothing out of the ordinary here on CC, but I increased my overall score by approximately 300 points making a total of 1400 or 2100, and I was pretty jubilant.</p>
<p>I can't say that making Penn my #1 choice magically increased my SAT score, but without Penn, I wouldn't have been motivated enough to devote so much time into a test. Even if I don't end up at Penn, it has strengthened my application for other schools and even bumped some from a "reach" to even a "match" or "reasonable reach". Do I have any regrets for applying to Penn? Of course not.</p>
<p>As you probably know, I just can't write this anywhere in my application, because it's about a test (a rather stupid one if you ask me!), and I doubt they'd really care or find my passion sincere. Well, after being deferred, I thought it'd be okay to tell them in a letter. How does this sound? Thoughts?</p>
<p>Thanks to any/all of you who spent the time to read some or all of what I just wrote.</p>
<p>the sal got deferred at my school but he had real low SATs</p>
<p>KRabble88- Hmmm, I'd maybe keep it more general (addressed to the admission committee) unless you have had contact with your regional director before (met face to face or mail correspondence). Any essays you send will help though, especially everything you just wrote in the post. Talk about the campus and then talk about how Penn motivated you...I would be honest about yourself (meaning be a little negative in judging yourself before Penn) and how it changed you for the better (though I don't think SAT scores are a good example of change unless you put emphasis on a change in work habits..but that's just me-I don't think SATs measure jack and are way hyped). I hope you understand what I just said, lol, because I sure don't!</p>
<p>krabblle - sounds like you're not motivated enought to acehive without things like Penn making you.... I WOULD NOT INCLUDE THIS AND PLEASE DON"T TAKE THIS PERSONALLY!</p>
<p>No, if I were an admissions director I would like honesty and not some pretentious students who write about how they deserve to be there. Be honest and say how you would benefit from a competitive and challenging environment. Look at yourself...I mean really look...and tell the truth...no matter how ugly. Ugliness can be attractive...especially when your surrounded by beauty of so many over qualified boring applicants.</p>
<p>That's my two cents...good night!</p>
<p>I see what Reeze is saying, but when you think about it, Krabble has to put out something awesome to prove to them she deserves to be at Penn. Now even though you could interpret it like Reeze, i think it is an interesting story. Like bongo said, i think it shoulld be more about your change in ethics and habits..not just the SAT. I don't want to be too strong on this, cause I'm not an expert, but I think its a pretty good idea. You could also consider doing it as an essay and not just a letter. All I know is that you gotta be personal. VERY PERSONAL..that is the key...you have to tell them why YOU are a good fit for Penn...the SPECIFIC things that YOU love about Penn. And I mean get as specific as you can.</p>
<p>would the fact that i don't want to change my homepage and background be legit essay material :p... but seriously, i don't know why i love penn, i can't put it down on paper, and everything i did feel i put into my why penn essay, i just don't know what to do now...</p>
<p>cujoe...all i can say is that its about hte little personal details...i made sure i had countless stupid little reasons of why i would love to be at penn...for example...i found out they give free music lessons...and that went right in my essay cause ive spent the last 11 months teaching myself guitar...i found out they have a ski club...and that went straight in becaues i love to ski...that kind of thing...specific courses youd like to take...things you like about the campus, city...all that kind of stuff</p>
<p>lol... the homepage thing seems ridiculous, but i'm gonna send in a pic of my background, i made myself into a fusion painting w/photoshop, maybe that'll show them how much i love penn (i'm throwing up a westside symbol... maybe i should crop that)... but free lessons was def there, big time violin kid... did you know you can find lessons from teachers at curtis???</p>
<p>I got deferred from Stanford, not Penn, and I'm salutatorian. Doing Wharton RD...here's hoping that goes better.</p>
<p>my val got deferred from Wharton ED</p>