What are my chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I applied early decision and I know I’ll be finding out in just 12 days (someone told me that the Ivies are posting ED decisions on the 8th…has anyone else heard this?)</p>

<p>I got a 1980 on my SATs (690M, 630V, 660W)
I did terribly on my SATIIs with a 500 French, 530 Math IIC, 730 Biology
I got a 4 on the AP Bio test</p>

<p>I think I have a 3.6 unweighted GPA and a 3.7 or higer weighted. At my school, GPAs can’t exceed 4.0. My average is about a 95 which is probably a better GPA at other schools.</p>

<p>I’m not sure about my ranking because my school doesn’t use it. Junior year I know I was one of the top 8 in the class because we were featured in the graduation but I don’t know about now. My guidance counselor marked top 10% on my applications, though.</p>

<p>In my junior year I took AP Biology (online), Honors English (AP didn’t fit in my schedule), and AP US History. This year I’m taking AP Lang&Comp, Honors Gov. and Ec., AP Chemistry (online), Honors Calc, and Honors French V. I’m also teaching myself Spanish because Honors Spanish V is the same period as Honors French V. The only AP classes I didn’t take were AP Physics (I took physics junior year though) and AP Lit&Comp (because of scheduling).</p>

<p>My credits are as follows:
Science:6
Math:5
Foreign Language: 8 (4 French, 4 Spanish)
English: 4.5
Social Studies:4.5</p>

<p>My ECs are:
NHS - 9 to 12
SNHS - 9 to 12
FNHS - 10 to 12
Senior Class Treasurer
Lit. Magazine - 9,12 (Co-Editor-in-Chief)
Yearbook - 9 to 12 (Section Editor & Staff Writer 9,10,11; Chief Financial Officer & Senior Editor 12)
Newspaper - 9 to 12 (Staff Writer 9,10,11; Editor of Entertainment Section 12)
Track and Field - 11
Model United Nations - 10
Environmental Club - 10,11,12 (unofficial treasurer)
Reading Olympics - 9,10
Middle School Book Club - 12 (Founder; ran for 7th and 8th graders)</p>

<p>I’ve also written 3 novels and some short stories. I mentioned them in one of my essays.</p>

<p>Can anyone tell me what they think my chances of getting in are? Thanks.</p>

2

<p>okay... those sats are killing you</p>

3

<p>Just wait twelve more days and see what happens because you never know what will happen.</p>

4

<p>Chances dont look good.</p>

5

<p>3 novels and 660W?
SATs certainly don't test for passion.</p>

6

<p>I can't seem to do as well on standardized tests as I do in the classes that go with them. Do you think they'll take the grades into consideration?</p>

7

<p>3.6 uw, 3.7 w. Grades wont help.</p>

8

<p>I actually think my GPA is a 3.85 because that's what I get when I calculate it myself. But when I brought this up with my guidance coulselor she refused to calculate it again because she "didn't want to take the time". So I'm hoping they look at my actual course grades and end of year grades and not the GPA because I'm pretty sure it's wrong. I was at 3.81 halfway through junior year and my grades went up second semester so I don't see how my GPA would go down.</p>

9

<p>I'm sure they'd know that something's up with your GPA--an average of 95 does not come out to 3.6 UW. How big is your class? Your guidance counsellor sounds like she's absolutely ****ing you, if you get deferred, and for all your other applications, MAKE SURE THEY'RE ALL CORRECT. The difference between top 8 and top 10% could be enormous if your class is large, as is a .2 drop in GPA :P If you really are still top 8, which seems likely, grades probably would help you with a correct transcript, and get a class ranking if you can.</p>

10

<p>3.85 weighted? Thats still low.</p>

11

<p>I say the grades and scores are hurting your chances but the novels are and your ECs are definitely in your favor...if you write novels well then lets assume your essays were good and in that case you may have a chance...they could be intrigued by the novels and some good essays</p>

12

<p>3.85 doesn't hurt if he's 8/800 at his school or something..</p>

13

<p>I'm only from a class of 50. I actually hate the fact that my school is filled with overachievers, haha. Out of the top ten people we've covering every Ivy and basically run the school in extra curriculars. Of what I have, the other thing I could add is sports. My entire school district has 600 people K-12 so we don't have many options when it comes to activites and classes. But all of that is explained in the school report that's sent out. I'm definitely going to have a talk with my guidance counselor again about my GPA. If it's her mistake that ruins my chances of getting into one of my top schools I'll be ****ed.</p>

14

<p>Let's pray for a miracle, i hope you get in, b/c you seem unique, but do you think you are really qualified? PENN is really rigorous in their academics, what makes you think that you are going to do well there?
i wish you the best of luck
Jack</p>

15

<p>It's basically what Penn has. First of all, I love the campus. Penn also has opportunities that a lot of other school's don't. I'm interesting in Ancient History, Creative Writing, Psych, Pre-Med, and languages. Penn's language center has resources for 100 languages. The first Sumerian dictionary was made at Penn just a few years ago. They have amazing museums there, too. And they have creative writing oppurtunities that other schools might not. So basically, I know I'd like Penn and I'd make some kind of contribution to the school.</p>

<p>I'm going to stop here before I start writing another college essay, haha</p>

16

<p>Newbyreborn. "PENN is really rigorous in their academics, what makes you think that you are going to do well there?" this is not something you should say to someone who's applying to the school ED. i actually if you put the time and effort into it, you can succeed everywhere, penn, oxford, rpi whatever</p>

17

<p>My point is that the OP shouldnt put high hopes of acceptance. Thats all.</p>

18

<p>Business_Freak- nobody should have high hopes of acceptance. I don't think you should be so secure that you could criticize other people...how do you think that makes others feel?</p>

19

<p>The OP asked for chances and I am telling my brutal (yet honest) opinion.</p>

20

<p>business_freak. i think i'll laugh at you if you don't get in. i'm just telling you my brutal(yet honest) opinion.</p>