What are my chances of getting into UPenn?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

Hi, I just completed junior year in Highschool. I’m from Pennsylvania and I’m wondering what are my chances of getting into University of Pennsylvania? I visited the campus the other day and fell in love with it and am considering early decision. What are my chances early and regular decision? (I will be applying to their engineering school to pursue Bioengineering with a premed track)

Grades-
Unweighted: 95.09% (4.07)
Weighted: 103.79% (4.73)
(I do not know how accurate the 4.0 scale grades are, my school only reports percentages. I used an online converter to get the 4.0 scale)

Class Rank- 18/593

All AP classes I will have completed by the end of Highschool- Physics 1, Micro Econ, American Gov, English Language and Composition, US History, Calc AB, Chemistry, English Literature, Calc BC, Biology, Human Geography

IB classes- Spanish 4

Honors Classes- World History, Algebra 2, Spanish 3, Biology, Intro to Engineering and Design, Chemistry 1, Precalc, Anatomy, Principles of Engineering and Design, Biochemistry, Architectural Engineering

Level 2- English 9, English 10

SAT- Math: 730, Reading+Writing:660 (1390 total)

SAT 2- Math 2: 770, Chemistry: 800

Extra Curriculars- 5th Place (Out of about 100) in my region’s Chemistry Olympiad, National Chemistry Olympiad Participant (only top 10 qualify), two year attendee in Penn State’s PULSE program (program for high schoolers who are interested in attending Medical School in the future. Lectures are held once a week for a few months with a final at the end), award for perfect attendance at PULSE, President and Founder of my school’s Russian Club, Secretary of National Honor Society, will be volunteering at a hospital this summer, will have went on two mission trips in Maine repairing homes for the less fortunate and handicapped, participated in my region’s Technology Student Association competition. I lift 5 times a week. I also attended a Peace Conference in D.C. on the issue of central banking’s influence on perpetual global war hosted by Ron Paul (don’t know if that counts for anything, just thought I would throw that in there)

Race- White
Gender- Male
English is my second language (Russian is first), but I was born in the US and speak English perfectly.

I know my SAT is pretty lacking, but that score is my first attempt and I took it without studying prior. I have been prepping and have just taken it again and will prep more to further improve my score.
My grades and class rank will definitely jump a few places senior year. I am a pretty good writer and have a few good topics in mind to write about for my application. All feedback is appreciated! Thank you!

2

If you get your scores up, you have a really good chance (especially if you apply ED).

3

Thank you for your thoughts! SAT will hopefully be 1500+ by the time I apply.

4

post again after taking SAT

5

BTW bio engineering is not a very smart idea for a premed unless they are extremely good at math

6

If I get my SAT up to at least a 1500, how do my chances look?

7

I’ve actually spoken with a Premed advisor from another university who helped me come to the decision that Bioengineering is a better option for me rather than Premed. I think it would be a lot more interesting and would actually put me in a better position when applying for med school. Also, about 40% of bioengineering majors at UPenn are planning to go into Medical School, so it is very doable.

8

“Bioengineering is a better option for me rather than Premed” premed is not a major. And of those “planning” to medical school, how many are going to make it?

9

You’re right, I meant a traditional premed track like biology or something. I was speaking with a UPenn student who said that 99% of those in bioengineering who are on a Premed track at UPenn will make it in. This is irrelevant, however, I’ve already made the the decision, I am more interested in my chances.

10

Aim for a higher SAT score if possible, and try to enroll in Physics C for your senior year, because it’ll probably help at engineering school. Other than that, your ECs are very focused, and your GPA is decent.

11

SAT will definitely improve. Thanks for your comment.

12

Everything looks very strong. GPA, SAT 2’s, EC’s – all wonderful. Like others have said, a higher SAT score is necessary, but I’m sure you will have done better this time around. You seem like you are in a great position, so don’t worry too much. ED will definitely help your chances out, but really make sure you love the school – you are competitive for ED and RD once that SAT score goes up. Good luck!

13

I took the ACT just for fun (it’s not as popular in my area) and got a 31. Does this at least put me in a better position than my previous SAT score? I know it’s still not super good, as I was focusing more on the SAT (I’m still awaiting my score from a recent SAT test). I’m just curious.

14

Yes – a 31 is about a 1430 on the SAT. Since you’re applying for UPenn, though, I’d try to hit a 33 or a 1500.

15

like the others have said above, if you just get one of those scores up you will have a great chance! Hope to see you in the class of 2022 :slight_smile:

16

I appreciate your response. Could you give me some feedback on my ACT? I received a score of 31 shortly after posting this, so sorry I could not include it in this post. I know that’s still on the low side, but does this at least make me look a bit more serious of a candidate than my current SAT score? Thank you!

17

would not submit a 31 act score. need to get one or the other up. Not to be a downer, but no-one can say that anyone has a good chance. With an admit rate of less than 10%, and 14% of class is legacy, and add in athletes, the effective admit rate is much lower. It is a long shot for most, there are no good chances…

18

i would say try to work on the act its so much easier to raise and a 31 is better than your sat score

19

From what I’ve heard UPenn does prefer that all scores be submitted. I’ve heard that it looks bad to withhold scores, so I will be submitting them, even if I score higher the next time around. Thank you!

20

31 act is def better than a 1390 sat, but I got in this year with a 1440 sat (act equivalent 31) and 700 math sat 2 and 680 french sat 2 so scores aren’t everything!