What Are My Chances for Pennsylvania?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I just finished my junior year of high school, and now is the time where I'm seriously considering colleges. University of Pennsylvania is my top choice, but I'm still unsure if I even have a chance in the admissions office or not.</p>

<p>I attend a charter high school that allows me to take a full courseload of college courses. This is different than dual enrolled students because I haven't taken a normal high school class since freshman year. When I graduate next year, I'll have an Associate's Degree and a high school diploma. Because I go to such a weird school, it's hard for me to determine how I stand amongst traditional high school students.</p>

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<p>High School: Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College
Majors: Economics and Political Science (may exchange PoliSci for public policy, but I'm not sure yet)</p>

<p>GPA (4.0 scale): 3.7
ACT: 28
SAT: Need to take</p>

<p>I'm also heavily involved in extra-curricular activities that relate to my program of study. Being at the charter high school that is actually part of the college, I am allowed to join/lead college groups, and I have actually founded a "Think Tank" club that gets together to discuss politics, economics, and social issues:</p>

<p>Member - Collegiate High School Academic Team - August 2013 - May 2014 (not continuing because I'm too busy)
Captain - Northwest Florida State College Forensics (Speech & Debate) Team - January 2014 - Current
President - Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, Sigma Mu Chapter - January 2014 - Current
Founder/President - Northwest Florida State College Think Tank - March 2014 - Current</p>

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<p>Junior Year Semester 1:
Microcomputer Applications - A
Chemical Science - A
Writing and Grammar - A
College Algebra - A
Music Special Topics - A
Piano 1 - A
World Civilizations 2 - A</p>

<p>Junior Year Semester 2:
College Chemistry 1 - Audit
Intro to Programming / Logic - A
Economics 1 - A
English Comp 1 - A
Pre-Calculus Algebra - C</p>

<p>Senior Year Semester 1 (classes I will take this upcoming fall):
Business Calculus
American Government
Economics 2
History and Ideas of Political Science
Philosophy</p>

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<p>What do you think? Do you think I have a chance at Pennsylvania? I'm going to be visiting the campus in June, and I'm very excited!</p>

2

<p>Well, for one thing, don’t refer to it as “Pennsylvania”–it hasn’t been popularly called that for many decades. Those in the know call it “Penn.” Just a suggestion. ;)</p>

3

<p>You are clearly a very good high school student. However, admission to Penn is highly selective, and your grades and test scores are significantly below the schools averages. </p>

<p>You have good ECs too, and have been involved in several different activities. To improve your chances for admission, it would be most helpful if you are able to develop one skill or ability to a level where you will be able to participate in that activity at an intercollegiate level in college. If for example, you have won many awards in forensics and Penn believes that you would be able to contribute to their Forensics team, then your chance of being admitted would rise significantly.</p>

4

<p>Maybe. Just one person’s opinion - your ACT score could be better, I can’t tell how many of your classes are AP, and your overall GPA is great but would be better at a 3.8-3.9. Lastly, I didn’t see your class rank. </p>

<p>Who knows but the school is a reach for nearly everyone so anything can happen. I would tell anyone to have a couple good alternatives anyway.</p>

5

<p>None of my classes are AP. They are all college courses taken at Northwest Florida State College.</p>

<p>My school only has 100 students in each grade level, so they don’t even rank us. The school is a charter school where you have to have a certain GPA / test scores to even be admitted, so we are already pulling from the top students in the area. Even if I’m ranked #50 in my school, that could translate to #10 in a normal high school. They just leave that aspect off of our transcript.</p>

<p>Also, our Forensics team won first place in the state tournament for Florida last year, so I should probably put that on my resume as well.</p>

6

<p>That adds a lot of context to your situation. </p>

7

<p>The fact that you’re taking a “college courseload” of classes, yet only have a 28 ACT is not good enough period. That needs to be a 33+ period. C in precalculus? It seems that an AP courseload would be more difficult that the caliber of material at this Florida college. So I don’t buy your statement saying being ranked #50 would be #10 at a normal school. You’ll need to do much better in school period to have a chance!</p>

<p>I’m a 2018 Penn student.</p>

8

<p>You are much more direct @Smarty99 but I was thinking something similar.</p>

<p>Some things don’t quite add up but there are some acceptances that look like outliers for whatever reason so it’s not impossible. I just say have a few good back up schools that you really like.</p>

9

<p>Your GPA and standardized testing are a little low, but I think if you can improve them, you should have a better shot. </p>

<p>The huge problem I see in your application is that you started all of your current EC’s in January 2014 or later. I’ll put it straight – this doesn’t look too good. You had three years to get involved with different clubs on and off campus, but it took you until halfway through junior year to decide that you wanted to do it?</p>

10

<p>Maybe that sounds a little insensitive. Let me clarify: I don’t know your story or your background. Perhaps there’s a legitimate reason for this, which would make it entirely okay. But, as is stands, it looks a little strange. </p>

11

<p>Due to your high school situation its kind of a curveball of what they will think. However some things are clear. A 28 ACT is well under the typical admitted student, the 25th percentile at Penn is 31. Also your GPA is a little low, maybe consider wating until the 1st quarter of senior year is done and work really hard to get all As to boost your GPA. </p>

<p>And also, if you want to major in economics im assuming you would be applying to Wharton. I don’t think they will like the C in Pre-Calc because Wharton students are supposed to be very strong in math. However, that Business Calculus class will look really good them especially if you do well in it… I wish i had that class at my school!</p>