Do I have a shot at Stanford or UPenn?

threechimneys · June 5

Hi, My two top choice schools are Stanford or UPenn for Engineering (I think I will apply to the M&T program for Penn). I am trying to decide if I have enough of a shot at Stanford to apply ED there, or if it would optimize my chances to apply ED to UPenn.

Ok, Stats:

Sat: 1560 (Math: 770, EBRW: 790)
I have taken 6 aps so far, I dont know the scores for 4 of them yet but they should be good. I have two 5s. Next year I will be taking 4 aps (including BC, Physics C, and Stat)
GPA: 4.0 unweighted, 4.75 weighted
I should be 2nd in my class

I started my schools MUN team and am the captain.
I am my school's debate captain for speech and debate.
I competed in Science Olympiad this year and came in 2nd in my region for Disease Detectives
Competed in Science Quiz bowl
In my school's a cappella group
and then a bunch of other clubs and such that I don't have as much commitment in
Badminton: (Two years, varsity one of them)
Swim Team: (Two years)
Ice hockey: 6 years club team but I had to stop because there was not enough girls to make a team. I tried to start a team at my school. It failed sadly due to money, but during that time I worked closely with the Principal of my school and various adults, like representatives from the local ice rink. Even though it failed I learned a lot through that experience and will probably write an essay about it. My principal will write me a recommendation letter as he knows me well now.

NHS: (I will be VP next year)
German Honors Society
National Art Honors Society
Service Honors Society:

I volunteer teaching special needs kids how to ice skate (I am intending to design a sleeve to fit over the end of a hockey stick in CAD to help them support their weight and skate better)
This summer I am getting TEFL (teaching english as a foreign language) certified so I can teach abroad, I know that has nothing to do with engineering but I am passionate about it and intend to do it during summers if I can.

This summer I am going to have an internship with a contracting company for JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) working on thermal engineering for satellites. The man who runs the company is a friend of my dad and went to Stanford, he will be writing me a recommendation letter.

Thanks so much!

TheSATTeacher · June 5

You seem more like a Penn type applicant. Stanford looks for more angular students who have distinguished themselves in 1 or 2 things rather than more well-rounded students.

damon30 · June 5

I am trying to decide if I have enough of a shot at Stanford to apply ED there, or if it would optimize my chances to apply ED to UPenn.

An ED application should ALWAYS go to the top choice school. If you preferred Stanford, but were admitted ED to UPenn, you would forever be asking yourself "What if?". Having said that, the chances of getting into either school are not high: https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1525399-if-you-are-asking-for-your-chances-to-ivies-and-other-top-schools.html

lookingforward · June 5

Not true, imo, that S wants angular. All the tippy tops want the right rounding, breadth and depth.

OP, looks good, but don't dismiss the other clubs that you "don't have much commitment in." Learn what you can about what S and Penn say and show they look for. It's not all about being a dynamo, pres of this, capt of that.

threechimneys · June 6

@TheSATTeacher @damon30 @lookingforward Thanks so much for your feedback!

sgopal2 · June 9

Wow you have an impressive background. Based on what I see above, you seem like a good candidate for Penn ED.

tpike12 · June 9

Realistically, there are 10 or so kids with your similar profile all vying for one spot, unless you have a hook.

katliamom · June 9

You have a shot. But as you know, the odds are against you, so apply, keep your fingers crossed and have lots of matches and safeties. Good luck. You will get into a wonderful university or two or three. That I can promise you.

threechimneys · June 24

@sgopal2 @tpike12 @katliamom thank you so much!

threechimneys · July 10

All right, update:
for ap scores I got:
bio: 5
lang: 5
comp sci P: 5
USHistory: 5
(plus gov: 5 and hug: 5 from previous years)

Then subject tests i got 730 on BioE and a 750 on Math 2 (yes, I know that's not that good, only 60th percentile, I will probably take it again)

Do these stats change anything? Thanks!

mamaedefamilia · July 10

Your credentials are still great but both are still reaches because they are reaches for all applicants, no matter how impressive. ED at Penn gives a meaningful admissions bump. Nonrestrictive SCEA at Stanford offers less of an advantage. However, I would apply ED to Penn only if it is truly your first choice.

Congrats on your AP results!

tchit87 · July 13

Ok idk how you did so well on all of your AP's so kudos to you. You have a lot of great stuff on your application, but you should try to find a unique angle. Since you have a lot of experience in speech/MUN and helping kids learn (iceskating, language, or otherwise) then maybe find a way to convince the admissions officer that you're not just going to be another Engineering major.

Do I have a shot at Stanford or UPenn?

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