Valo7000

Ithank all responses to this. I really would like to go to u penn, and while I know there is A LOT more that goes into the admissions process than just scores, I would like to know if I am in a good place, or if I should consider taking some tests again or possibly the ACT. Well here goes:

Gpa: 4.33 ATM, but it will go higher next year

SAT:
First test: math: 740 reading: 670 writing: 630
Second test: math: 790 reading: 660 writing: 750
Subject tests: math I: 740 physics: 800 us history: 710

Schedule:
Freshman: geometry, adv English, adv science, adv history, Spanish 2, intro ceramics, drawing and painting 1, and a tech class
Sophomore: Ap euro, honors bio, honors chem, honors English, precalculus, intro architecture, photo 1, honors Spanish 3
Junior: ap calc ab, ap us history, ap Lang, ap physics n/m, ap physics e/m, psychology, honors Spanish 4
Senior: ap calc bc, ap macro Econ, ap Brit lit, ap chemistry, ap Spanish, drawing and painting 2, photo 2

Grades: so far all a's except for a- in every English class (there is no a+ at my school)

Ec's:
Scholars bowl (quiz bowl): member sophomore year, vice president junior year, cop resident senior year
Physics club: member sophomore year, president junior and senior year
World affairs club (model congress and model un): member sophomore- senior years
Mock trial club: member sophomore and junior years, vice president senior year
Volunteer for the local republican party during elections
Going to peer tutor physics next year
Tennis: jv freshman and sophomore years
Science Olympiad: sophomore year participated

I am a white male. I am interested in studying architecture or physics, but hopefully both. I interned at an architecture firm during the summer before junior year. I also spent ten years studying the Finnish language (my dad is from finland and I am a citizen) in summer camps associated with Concordia college. My biggest question mark on this is the sat reading. I was hoping that as well as chancing me if you could give me some advice. I am slightly dyslexic, so I struggled with the reading section of the SAT a lot, and I am not sure if I can realistically actually do better than that. Should I try to take the SAT again to bring it up? Should I take a hack at the ACT? Should I retake any subject tests?

Valo7000

Whoops, my sat writing for the second test is actually 770

knight2011

Your SAT score should be strong enough. One disconcerting factor is that you seem to have a weakness in verbal. For instance the CR section is low and then your lowest grades were in english classes. When one is dyslexic isn't he or she offered preferential treatment so that that person is not held down for having a disorder? In other words, your dyslexia shouldn't have resulted in lower grades. Just one thing the admissions committee may notice and dock.

also your ECs don't demonstrate a passion. If you really want to do physics or architecture definitely have that resonate throughout your application. Participate in physics competitions or math competitions and in your essays really demonstrate why you are interested in physics and how penn can cultiavte it.

When all is said and doen you stand a shot but Penn is Penn which means everyone who applies has 2150+ sat score and 3.95+ GPA.

Valo7000

Thanks for the advice, but along the lines of preferential treatment, I refused to accept any, instead I worked really hard at school to do this well, and I'm proud of that. With that in mind does that change anything?

knight2011

I imagine it would. I think you need to somehow demonstrate this in your app, maybe even in your essays how you refuse to take the "easy" way out. I think they would be willing to look a little more lenient on your english grades because of it. Best of luck