How do I get into UPenn? I’m a junior and I have been researching UPenn a lot recently and I love it. I want it desperately now but I don’t know if I have what it takes to get in. I have a 32 ACT which I could possibly get up, and a 4.0 GPA but I don’t have any major hooks. Being a junior now, what would be your best advice for me to do from now to application time? At this point, is it even worth applying? I’m interested in business so I would have to get in to Wharton and I know that is extremely selective so to be honest my confidence level is very low.
UPenn and Wharton are great targets to shoot for, but are an extreme reach even if you have perfect to near prefect stat’s. It’s a huge mistake to “fall in love” with any school that is so selective. What is it about UPenn and Wharton that you love? Look for those qualities in other schools. Don’t overlook public universities with honor programs and schools. You have to build up a list of safety and match schools. In the meantime, try to get your ACT up, continue to do well in school, start lining up your LoR’s and it is not too early to start putting together your thoughts on essays. UPenn also “recommends” 2 SAT2’s, Wharton specifies Math2. UPenn is an ED school where there appears to be some advantage in applying ED, so make sure your app is well thought through and completed before that deadline. In the meantime, you might want to have apps ready for other schools that have early/rolling/non binding admissions.
Echoing the above – I’d recommend that you give up the idea of a dream school and work to create a solid college list that includes reach (including Penn), match, and safety schools that appear affordable (find out your parents’ budget and run the net price calculator for each school) and that you would be happy to attend. The people I see who get hurt by the college admission process are the ones who focus on one or two hyper-competitive schools and then don’t get in. Assuming no major hook Wharton is a huge reach for everyone. You need to expand your horizons and recognize that there are many wonderful schools out there where you can have a great 4 year experience and get where you want to go in life.
Don’t get too hung up on one school. Instead, apply to a wide variety of schools based on your interests. It’s like dating…sort of 
Love the school that loves you back.