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Upcoming is my second year at the local community college for me and I want to do what some believe to be more difficult than stopping bullets or parting the seas; I want to transfer to Wharton. Last year went well for me as I put together the following.
4.0GPA 39 Credits w/ Honors classes
Inducted into PTK honors society
Member of the school sponsored volunteer corp
Founder and President of the Public Speaking Club
English and Math Tutor at the college.
Student Ambassador


While I feel that my credentials at college make me at least competitive in the process there are factors that really hurt my chances at any competitive school.

During HS I really withdrew, and I did poorly. I earned only a 2.3GPA with no honors classes to speak of. I also only earned a 1290 SAT score.
I took SAT II'S while I was volunteering at my high school and taking a winter session class, and I hadn't properly prepared. I earned 630,630,660 on Math II, Writing, and Physics, respectively. I will be retaking Math II, and Writing after taking an intensive Princeton Review course. I have a much strong math and writing background now so I should do much better.

The impediments which are cast in stone are my HS transcript and SAT I. How can I pitch myself as someone who was 'saved' without coming across as insincere. I really do thank my guidance counselor for intervening with DYFS and bringing me into a group for children of alcoholic parents, because that really did save me from a disastrous future. I realize that Penn is a school for the social elite, and that they may frown upon my upbringing, but they do look for people of 'Diverse backgrounds', right?

By Regulus (Regulus) on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 04:02 am: Edit

If you can piece together a good essay explaining your situation you'll have a very good chance at admission. Your 1290 isn't *terrible*, but it is definitely less than most applicants. One thing you have going for you is your college GPA, which is usually the biggest factor in transfer admissions. Good luck!

By Slidems (Slidems) on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 11:09 am: Edit

Well, Penn really isn't an Ivy for the social elite, the rich kids just make it seem that way. Hell I'm from Mississippi from a middle class family without the privileges most Northern kids get, and my other friend is from Tennessee who could be borderline redneck (but isn't) and not exactly in a good financial situation.

Don't worry about SAT's you're not in High School anymore.

If you can get an interview, do it. You can prove so many things in one that a SAT test score can never show.

And you seem to have a rack of stuff done, just try and try.

Last, where are you from? Location sometimes has a huge factor in transfer student applicants. Quotas do have an influence, no matter what the admissions staff says.

By Richpull (Richpull) on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 08:26 pm: Edit

Hey guys, thanks for the encouragement. Unfortunately, I am from New Jersey, and there were a number of kids from both the private and public high schools in my town who were accepted by Penn the year of my graduating class. I think that works against me, but then again no one from my college has ever transferred to UPenn so that should work for me. I am glad to hear that there really is diversity at Penn, Slidems. What should I focus my essays on? I have heard that for transfers they are really only effective as a five hundred word shot at explaining what Penn has that I want to be a part of, rather than as a way to describe myself.
I am going to schedule to visit in November and schedule to sit in on a class, and perhaps even stay a night if possible. Do those types of activities end up in the admissions office as evidence of demonstrated interest?

By Regulus (Regulus) on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 09:23 pm: Edit

I don't believe the adcoms have records of any visits you may have made. One thing that might help would be to schedule meetings with faculty from the department you're interested in, or anyone high up in the admissions office.

By Slidems (Slidems) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 03:47 pm: Edit

Try to focus essays on what made you change your mind to come to Penn and why your heart is set on it. This sounds funny, but if you need something to give you a headstart, watch the first few minutes of "Orange County". It's the only few parts of the movie that are of any value of any kind.