Chance at UPenn, Duke?

Emmers
Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:19:42 +0000

Both of those schools use the common app. There is a specific section allocated for situations like this. It says something allong the lines of “any extra information about yourself yadda yadda yadda…” That’s where you write about your first two years of not-so-great-grades.

A personal statement is where you shine. Admissions is most likely not going to want to read a personal i-wish-i-did-better essay. UNLESS that whole maturing process was extremely fundamental to who you are today, I would stay away from that topic.

In terms of the whole well-rounded thingg. I’ve been told by many ivy reps. They accept the well rounded student and the phenomenallly lop-sided student. I’m not familiar with math competitions. So I have to ask you…Are your math acheivements significant enough to place you in the phenomenally lop-sided portion of the applicant pool?

I am a 17 year old senior prolly just like you. not to be blunt or anything, but don’t completely trust my advice. I just reiterated advice that was given to me.