What are my chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Colleges I plan on applying to-
University of Pennsylvania - Early Decision
Princeton
Cornell
Barnard
Drexel Honors Program
University of Pittsburgh Honors Program
University of Delaware Honors Program
Swarthmore
Haverford

Franklin and Marshall

Demographic:
Caucasian female, first gen/low income (neither parent finished high-school), from a small town in Eastern Pennsylvania. Also LGBT, but I won’t flat out discuss my sexuality in my applications, but rather add how I will engage in their LGBT centers because it’s very important in my life.

Stats:
1370 Super Scored SAT ( 680 EBRW and 690 Math) and I will be taking the Subject Tests in August. I am aware that my low sat score is really the downfall in my entire application.
Class Rank - 2 out of 122
Cumulative GPA - 4.355

Grades and Curriculum:
I have no grades below an A throughout my high school career and have only taken honors classes. However, my school has an awful curriculum. We offer 4 AP classes to seniors only. We actually only offer 3 because they never meet the student requirement for APUSH. The other AP’s are AP Calc, AP Lit, and AP Economics and I plan on taking all of them this year, my senior year. As for science, we offer Honors Bio II (which I passed with flying colors) and Honors Chem II, which is only offered to seniors, but is on my schedule as well. I have DE credits in Spanish and Speech. I will finish high school with 4 years of Spanish.

Common App Essay:
I talk about how watching a cow give birth redefined my definition of femininity and helped me to become confident in myself after struggling with femininity my entire life. In the end, I tie it into my passion for biology and working with women.

Future Plans: If everything works out okay, I would like to major in Biology and minor in Gender/Sexuality/Women’s Studies with a pre-med track to become an OB/GYN.

EC’s:
Volunteer- 4 years of volunteering in a nursing home, 1 year of volunteering in the attached hospital where I looked after patients coming out of surgery. Over 300+ hours in a hospital setting. I also helped out my friend run a free breakfast program at our local church for children 4-18 years old.

Leadership Roles-

  • Captain of Color Guard squad in school marching band for 2 years, Co-Captain for 3 years. This activity is the one that I am most deeply passionate about and I could write a book on.
  • Captain of Volleyball team for 2 years, also aided in starting the team in my sophomore year
  • Captain of Boys Tennis for 2 years (our school didn’t have a girls team)
  • President of Mock Trial for 1 year
  • President of Plural (LGBT club) for two years and helped with the revival of the club
  • Chief-in-Editor/President of Avenger (School Newspaper) for 1 year, Secretary for 3 years
  • President of Leo Club for 1 year, it’s a branch of Lions Club in our community

I’m also in NHS (National Honors Society) and FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), and I competed nationally in FBLA in San Antonio, TX in the event of Publication Design after finishing 4th in the state. I am also a HOBY alumni.

Work - I am a proud part-time employee at Taco Bell, working as a “Service Team Champion”.

So I know I’m taking a shot in the dark with the IVY Leagues, but I really just need advice. With my stats, is there anything I could do to strengthen my application? What really is my chance at UPenn? What colleges would you all recommend to me? Your help is greatly appreciated.

2

Based on your academic profile and interests, I think you should research Mt. Holyoke.

3

Try to get the SAT above 1400. If you’re thinking med school try to keep undergrad costs low. Pitt’s Honors College average SAT pushes 1500. Maybe Temple, Case, Juniata, or Wooster? What about Pa schools like West Chester as a safety? Definitely throw a reach or two in the mix. You have a compelling story.

4

Seconding Mt. Holyoke for its excellent biology department and medical school preparation. You might also want to consider Smith and Bryn Mawr.

5

Thank you so much! Advice definitely taken.

6

Thanks for the advice! The Honors is really icing on the cake for all of the schools I have on my list, as regular admission is more of a safety if that makes sense. I’ll make note of your suggestions though! Thanks a bunch

7

Perhaps try the University of Chicago since they are test optional. I think OP can figure out their infamous quirky essays quite easily and she would be a viable candidate. It’s still a reach but test optional will help.

8

Also I would not worry about the class rigor since your application will be based on the context of your school and you will not be penalized for the lack of AP offerings in your school.

Another good pre-med school you should consider is Case Western. They are also pretty good with merit aid.

Another test optional school to add on the list is Wake Forest. It is also associated with a top medical school.

If there is time for another SAT and it can be raised to 1400+, you could in target for Emory and Tulane.

9

If the test scores were higher, I would suggest WashU as they do have a major/minor in Women’s Studies/Gender plus it has the benefit of having one of the best medical schools in the country.

I might take out one of your Ivy schools (possibly Princeton) and replace it with WashU.