shufan

I'm not sure what type of student exactly has a chance of making it. I consider to be a good student, but not excellent, partly because I hang out with the top students in my school. Also, I have not done as well this year. I'm taking all the most challenging courses available in our school, and should have around 15 APs by the end of next year (senior year). I had straight A's throughout Freshmen and Sophomore year. However, In the first semester of this year, I got 3 B/B+... One in AP Spanish, one in AP Language and Lit, and one in AP US History somehow... Now I'm in second semester, and seem to be heading towards getting a B in AP Spanish again, and an A in everything else.

My Junior Year Courses:
AP Calculus BC
AP Spanish
AP Language and Lit.
AP US History
AP Biology
AP Macroeconomics

I'm also on the school soccer team, JV not Varsity, and don't plan on doing Varsity due to time constraints. I also play on a travel club out side of school.

I play violin in the top school orchestra.

I am in NHS, TRI-M, and do various volunteering programs, plus I volunteer at a hospital.

I am on the math team, but am overshadowed by my extraordinarily intelligent friends (one has a perfect SAT, perfect ACT, and perfect PSAT, in addition to a perfect GPA, and various math awards).

My Standardized Test Scores:
SAT - M:800 W:730 R:730
ACT - 33 (This was first time ever taking it, I didn't even know the format, and I'll be retaking it tomorrow, so hopefully that goes up to a 35+)

Other than that I don't have too much special.

So, I'm just wondering what it takes to get in. You don't need to evaluate me, as all I really want to know is what it took some of you guys to get in. Thanks in advance.

Rister_Chutophs

you got a good chance definitely. your grades and standardized test scores are absolutely in penn's realm. however, once people get to this point, essays, recs and ec's decide who will get and who won't!
seriously, try to be unique by writing great essays that will convey a unique image of you as a person!
good luck!!

ohakkila

sadly, after going through the process, the only thing that i've concluded about admissions to ivies is that it is completely random. i wish you the best of luck but, just remember that nothing you can do can guarantee acceptance to any Ivy

(ps. this is from someone who got into Penn)

cooledge

Exactly, completely random. I've gotten into things that theoretically are twice as tough to get into as something I've been rejected from. Though it might have been my race that played a factor in it (asian).

irutavias

Yes, it seems to make no sense at all. Just do your best on GPA and standardized tests, and show some passion.

@ Cooledge, I know exactly what you mean. I guess the world works in mysterious ways =)

ItsAllJibberish

Admissions are soooo random. I got waitlisted at Duke and Georgetown but I got into Wharton. And I'm Asian.

Go figure.