<p>I'm applying to Penn for Early Decision and I want to know what my chances are of getting in.</p>
<p>I'm ranked 5th in my class out of around 430 kids. So far, my highest SAT(including the writing) was a 1920, but I just retook them this past weekend. Hopefully I can raise that score. I want to major in Psychology, and I'm taking the highest level Psychology Class in my school now (which is only Psychology 2, due to the fact that it is an elective at my school). </p>
<p>The worst part of my application right now is my SAT 2 scores. I got a 550 on History and a 570 on Literature, which I know are both terrible. I'm retaking the subject tests in November and having my scores rushed.</p>
<p>I'm taking 4 AP classes out of 5 actual academic classes, including Government, Calculus, French, and British Literature (not including gym, choir, and a study hall period for yearbook).</p>
<p>I'm in over 10 different clubs and hold at least 4 offices. Also, I'm editor-in-chief of the school yearbook this year. I'm in the National Honors Society and the National French Honor Society. I've also danced for 14 years.</p>
<p>I wrote my CommonApp essay about my older brother who has special needs and how he has influenced my life. I also included an additional essay explaining why I chose to major in Psychology. I'm still working on my "Why Penn?" essay, and my optional essay was about starting middle school and facing the demons of "adulthood" when my friend committed suicide. If anyone wants to read any of these essays, I can send them to you.</p>
<p>So, how do my chances look?
Any opinions will help. Thanks!</p>
<p>Ethnicity? Are you a development candidate (i.e., your parents or close family members donated an unbelievable sum of money to Penn)? Are you a very important athletic recruit?</p>
<p>I am Caucasian.
No donations made, and not an important athletic recruit. </p>
<p>I’m not sure if it makes a difference, but I live with my single mother who is currently unemployed. Even when she was employed earlier this year, she had a very low income.</p>
<p>and my weighted GPA is around a 4.2
not sure what my unweighted is.</p>
<p>Sorry, but it’s a high reach. However, I’d encourage you to apply! You seem to be a nice person, and the fact that you came to CC illustrates that you’re hard-working and driven. Your life story can definitely help your application. If you have a moving tale to tell, go for it. I’d caution you, however, not to make it mawkish.</p>
<p>i know it is a reach, but I just retook the SATs and felt much more confident about it than I did the previous 2 times. And I’m taking the Math and Literature Subject Tests in November, which I will study hard for.</p>
<p>I agree that my hardships might somewhat help my application. I highlighted some of those things in my essay, but I made sure it didn’t sound like a desperate plea.</p>
<p>I’m just going to keep working hard and keep my fingers crossed.</p>
<p>Are you applying early decision? I know people who have gotten in with SAT scores less than 1900. Have you thought about taking the ACT in place of the SAT 2 subject tests? That’s what I’m doing.
Last year around 30 kids from my school got into Penn out of a class of 113. I know at least 5 people who scored in the 1900s on their SATs. It seems like you’re very well rounded and that’s what schools want.</p>
<p>30!!! Holy crap! lol…do you live in PA? cuz that might be why so many were selected with below average SAT scores…not trying to be pessimistic. (to OP, i’m pretty much in the same boat as you. my sat scores are pretty subpar, but a little higher than yours 670 CR and 700 Math and Writing–i’m rooting for you! =)! )</p>
<p>thanks so much. that just cheered me up.
I am doing early decision, which is why I can’t take the ACT at this point.
There’s one in October but I missed registration, and now the next one isn’t until December I believe.</p>
<p>It’s good to hear that you know other people who got in with similar SAT scores to mine.
And I don’t know if it will be the same next year, but I looked at the incoming student profile on Penn’s website, and while around 30 from each state got accepted, around 200 from NJ got accepted. I live in NJ, so hopefully this means good things for me.</p>
<p>Apply to Penn early decision but don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Try to get excited about some of your other options. If your mother is an unemployed single mother then you might be eligible for quite a bit of need based assistance at any school. There are so many really good schools that meet full demonstrated need, you’ve got a lot of good choices.</p>
<p>i go to a philadelphia public school. I guess since it’s the best in the city, Penn just takes a lot of kids from us. I’m also applying early decision but to the nursing school. i’m very nervous because my science grades aren’t as high as they could be. we’ll see.</p>
<p>Update: I retook my SATs in November and upped my score to a 2070. I know it’s still not fantastic, but it’s a huge improvement on my 1920, plus it’s the highest in my school. Every category improved as well, so it’s my best in one sitting (idk whether that matters or not).</p>
<p>I know my SATs are still lower than a lot of applicants, but this def. upped my chances and I’m excited =]</p>
<p>that 2070 makes your application much more attractive. your test scores arent the strongest, but I don’t see them eliminating you, considering your class rank and extracurriculars. work on those SAT IIs (i guess you already took them by now). you have a pretty good shot though.</p>
<p>Lemme know what you think of my chances (ED Wharton what are my chances? thread)!!</p>