What can I do to get into Penn?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys!</p>

<p>I have a burning desire to get into Penn. I visited the campus and I fell in love with the place at first sight. However, things aren't looking good. I'm a Korean kid living in Connecticut (two anti-hooks right off the bad). However, it gets worse. Much worse.</p>

<p>I'm gonna be a senior in 4 weeks. My UW GPA is 3.70. My weighted is 4.44. That probably conservatively puts me in the top 15%. My poor GPA is due to my freshman and sophomore years; I got all A's in basically all AP's junior year.
This is partly because I took ridiculously advanced courses, biting off way more than I could chew. My standardized test scores are decent (SAT: 2360, SAT II's: 790 Bio, 800 French, 800 Math II, 750 USH). I really like math, and my transcript shows that. I took Precalc freshman year , Multivariable Calc Soph year, and Diff eqs junior year). However, I got a B in the Precalc and BC course I took from CTY Online)</p>

<p>My AP scores are good: I became a national AP scholar this year,
with 5's in French, Calc BC, Bio, Chem, two Physics C's, Lang, Gov and Stat.</p>

<p>Here's the real problem, though: Out of the 5 science courses I took, I only got an A in one, AP Physics C. I got B's in Honors Physics, Bio, Chem, and AP Chem. </p>

<p>My EC's aren't too bad:
I qualified for AIME twice
I semifinalled in USABO and USAPho
I did Awesomemath at Cornell
Went to nationals for Science Olympiad, got several state and national medals
Was treasurer of math club soph and junior year, and treasurer for science club junior year
Saw statewide success in both National Ocean Science Bowl and National Science Bowl
Tournament chess player: USCF around 1550
Represented school in HMMT, Mandelbrot and other math competitions
Started chess team in school (failed miserably at tournaments we went to though, as not that many people in my school like chess)
Wrote several articles for school newspaper
Taught chess at local library</p>

<p>Now, my post isn't just a plea for chancing. I know that, even with an ED application, my chances are not that great. I'm asking for advice regarding any possible ways to strengthen my application, and, if all is lost, what other options I have available to me, in terms of colleges.</p>

2

<p>IMHO I’d say your chances aren’t that bad as it stands, while you weren’t stellar in your science classes, you didn’t exactly flunk either, however, it’s obvious that you’re very advanced, and passionate about mathematics. Your EC’s look good, and you have very strong SAT, and SAT II scores. </p>

<p>Honestly, at this stage, you should start putting a lot of effort into your app essays. Since you obviously like the school very much, talk about it. Your love for math could also be an interesting essay topic.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you.
And can I bother you to chance back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1189227-chance-my-friend.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1189227-chance-my-friend.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Lol okay. My GPA is still a major concern, though. My school, is highly competitive, so even with my reasonable weighted GPA I might not be in the top 10% of my class. However, my school doesn’t rank, so there’s no way of telling either way. My family income is exactly 0, as neither of my parents are employed. I probably would not be able to afford paying out of my own pocket.</p>

4

<p>You have a good chance</p>

<p>Those are fine stats.</p>

5

<p>It is one more application and based on your income, it sounds free too. </p>

<p>Have you looked into questbridge? If not, your chances are improved by applying ED to Penn.</p>

6

<p>Hmmmm.
Idk about QuestBridge? Even though we don’t have an income, we live in an affluent, area, if that makes any sense. We moved here for the school district.</p>

7

<p>And I know this is probably seriously pushing it, but should I shell out the money for an application to Pton? It’s an extreme reach, but Princeton is the absolute best for math, and I would love to go there.</p>

8

<p>It sounds a bit odd not to have an income but living in an affluent area. Where does your money come from?</p>

9

<p>Well, my dad used to be a stock broker on Wall Street. Then he fell chronically ill. So, we had a lot of savings. We’re still living off of that.</p>

10

<p>Waaaaaahhhhhhhh</p>

11

<p>Peritrichous bacteria look cool.</p>

12

<p>Guys? You still there? I’d like some more input, please.</p>

13

<p>1) have a good “story"
2) convey your enthusiasm for Penn
3) apply ED</p>

14

<p>Would ED provide a huge advantage?</p>

15

<p>If your parents file a tax return with investment income or something, does nt that count as income too?</p>

<p>ED is always a better choice for the school since you are locked in as far as the school is concerned, if they find you acceptable. For EA you do need to be extraordinary.</p>

16

<p>To be perfectly honest, you do seem to have a pretty good shot at Penn. Penn is selective but it’s a little easier to get into - unless ofcourse you’re applying for business.
You’re testing scores make up for your GPA, and your EC’s might save you.
And yes, applying ED, will improve your chances, though competition might be a little harder. I encourage you to try though. </p>

<p>You do need some safety colleges though - Maryland, Rutgers, etc.
Focus on college essays, do go through the Penn site to see that you’ve satisfied all their requirements : )</p>

17

<p>You seem like a really good candidate. All those science/math awards are really awesome, as is your SAT I and SAT II. I think your EC’s will make up for your low-ish GPA, and given how you took so many difficult math classes, I’m sure the admission officers will give you a little leeway</p>

18

<p>Lollll okay. Thanks!</p>

19

<p>Yersinia entercolitica.</p>

20

<p>Princeton does not consider Freshman grades.</p>