I am a senior who is strongly considering applying early decision to Penn. Currently, I am leaning towards applying to the Huntsman program as it is best suited to my interests. I have relatively strong stats (4.1 W GPA, 1540 one sitting) and VERY strong EC’s, but I have not taken any sort of calculus. Is there any hope in even applying to Penn? Whatever I lack in math skills I more than compensate for in personality and grit, but will the simple fact that I have not taken Calc. automatically kill my chances?
No automatic kill. Huntsman program is very competitive. You should have top stats (academic and EC) to have a great shot.
Per the data set: http://www.upenn.edu/ir/Common Data Set/UPenn Common Data Set 2015-16.pdf
Average GPA: 3.93 Percent with GPA higher than 3.75 92% (GPA shown are UW)
While not taking calculus will not lead to an automatic denial it will put your application at a disadvantage for Wharton. The school listed that it wants to see “a strong preparation in mathematics, particularly calculus.” http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/apply/whatpennlooksfor/hsprep Huntsman is even more competitive. Note that the College of Arts and Sciences does not specifically mention calculus as something they want to see but they are looking for students with " a balanced and advanced college preparatory curriculum".
And without calculus, will your guidance counselor check the box saying you have taken the most rigorous course-load available at your HS? If not that could also hurt your chance of admission to the super competitive colleges. While admissions are holistic. academics are the first order of business in a decision.
From other posts it looks like you attend “a prestigious private school in Washington D.C. area” so you should talk to your guidance counselors who should be very familiar with top schools, the requirements, and what types of colleges/programs students from your HS with your stats and course rigor can get into.