<p>I'm currently at a community college, taking the most rigorous classes I possibly can (Calc, Gen Chem, Gen Physics, etc.). My GPA is 4.00 (I also took Dual Enrollment classes in high school). I'll be taking the SATs next June and hope to score within the range of regular students applying to UPenn. Next Sunday I'll be enrolled in PTK and am seeking enrollment in the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges. Moreover, I'm enrolled in an EMT-B class this fall and am looking to tutor part time as well.</p>
<p>Despite all that I've been doing, I feel like I have no "hook" or anything that really sets me apart. The only sport I've excelled in is Golf. My high school record is negligent (I performed poorly). Can anyone offer some insight? Do I have a chance? If not, is there something I should focus on more?</p>
<p>Also, a lot of people have been discouraging me from applying because they say that a lot of applicants who have a good shot are usually students who could have been admitted as freshman OR are super-starring it at a fantastic (Top 50, presumably) college/university already. I’d say only a handful (maybe 30/40-ish?) of CC students gain acceptance to Penn.</p>
<p>I do know that it’s very difficult to transfer into Penn, as in not many student are accepted, even from-as you stated yourself, “Top 50” Schools. Nonetheless, your GPA is stellar coming from “negligible grades” in high school and your SATs should help you as well. Although Penn does say that it weights high school transcript equally to all others, I think they use it as more of a reference for “oh this is how this individual improved/mature”.</p>
<p>Still, if you want the most qualified answer, email admissions. They’re always happy to answer questions like this.</p>
<p>Will do. I just wanted some insight. Even when I was looking into the process back in HS, I knew that Ivy League admissions for undergrad were a crapshoot to begin with.</p>
<p>During transfer orientation and the last three weeks, I have not met any transfer student from a community college… </p>
<p>Yeah, so, 30-40 is definitely not likely considering approximately 200 students are accepted. It just isn’t logical to think that community college applicants would be 20% of the acceptances. Emory, Boston College, Villanova, Cornell, University of Melbourne and others are some of the schools my friends have transferred from. I am just saying this because it probably is better to be realistic.</p>
<p>By the way, I am not sure if you are even allowed to submit sat scores taken after high school. This is something you might want to email Penn admissions about.</p>
<p>@Joe_L514: Would I have a realistic shot at Cornell? I’m hell-bent on transferring to a prestigious college. I’ve been working my butt off to make up for my dismal HS grades.</p>
<p>You should just apply to both of them, lol. After you complete your applications, just wait and see what happens. You are probably at a disadvantage because of your subpar high school transcript but you never know what might happen. Oh yeah, work hard on your essays that show you are committed to your extracurriculars and express your interest for Penn and Cornell.</p>