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Hey guys applying ED to Penn, just wondering my chances.

SAT
1450 (760 M 690 V)

SAT II's
Math IIC 660 ouch
Physics 670
I'll be retaking IIC along with Writing and Spanish in October. I may also take the SAT again in November. It would be my second attempt.

GPA
94 (encompasses first 6 semesters of HS)
I go to a specialty magnet HS, no rank. Class of about 60 kids. Highest GPA is 98 and lowest is 85.

Course Load
School doesn't really offer APs. They state on the transcript that all courses are taught at honors level. What that means exactly, who knows?
My courses for senior year are as follows

English IV
Statistics
Chemistry II
Calculus
Java (taken at local community college)
Spanish Composition and Conversation (taken for college credit, equivalent of Spanish V)

EC's

Founder and President of Business Club
Work with children affected with autism and ADD every weekend. (wrote essay about experience)

Standard EC's
Model UN, Newspaper (photographer), Key Club, Chemistry League, and others

Should have good essays and recs.
Another question for a prospective economics major, what teacher's recs should I send? I have recs from Spanish teacher, Math and Stats teacher, and US History Teacher. All have taught me two years.

3 other seniors are also applying ED, will this affect my chances?

Thanks a lot guys.

By Bartoastt (Bartoastt) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 08:05 pm: Edit

You have a great SAT I score and a nice A average. But you're SAT II scores will hurt you because neither is even above 700. In addition, even if you're school doesnt offer courses that are specifically labelled as an AP, you can still take the exam. But you havent taken a single AP exam, which is not going to look that great. It doesnt look like too heavy a courseload to be frank, although I'm not sure how hard "honors level" is at your school. Another thing is that you're EC's arent that outstanding. Founding a business club is great, but other than that there is no real hook, or anything that makes you special. There are hundreds of applicants who are presidents or founders of clubs, so that won't make you stand out very much at all. If you have founded a business club and want to be an economics major...why arent you applying to Wharton? Wouldnt that be the right place for your interests, instead of the college?

By Rsxman (Rsxman) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 08:36 pm: Edit

Penn doesn't care about SAT II scores right? They do not require SAT IIs for transfer applicants, so I assume it doesn't matter as much as it does for freshmen applicants.

By Bartoastt (Bartoastt) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 10:49 pm: Edit

I dont know about transfers, but I do believe that they matter for freshmen. I think they require SAT II's if you havent taken the ACT, and this kid hasnt. So, they are required for him and they do care what he gets.

By G0ldplatinum (G0ldplatinum) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 11:25 pm: Edit

Thanks for your comments.

Wharton is specifically undergrad business. I do wish to pursue a future career in business, but I'm in no rush. That's why I am doing UPenn college undergrad. I feel it has a nice campus and it also has a great economics program. As for SAT IIs, hopefully yes I will score above 700 on the next three, but who knows. As for the courseload, its the heaviest one possible except for mathematics, which is offered up to BC. I hear AP exams are used for placement only, and really have no hold on your application. I know the ECs arent outstanding, but its really hard to obtain leadership positions when half your school is aiming for Ivies.

So how would you rate my chances?

By Crazykidd (Crazykidd) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 11:39 pm: Edit

your ec's are pretty weak...and you don't really have extremely stellar grades or scores that would make up for it so unless you can get amazing essays and recommendations to be your hook, your chances are only decent, maybe in, maybe not...hope that helps

By G0ldplatinum (G0ldplatinum) on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 10:13 pm: Edit

need more feedback