Chances at Wharton ED

Colleges & Universities University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>After browsing undergrad business schools I’ve found out that Wharton is clearly at the top of the list if not the best. I’m applying ED and just wanted feedback on my chances and whether or not it’s worth applying ED or looking at other options(better or worse). I’m currently a rising senior at a competitive public college prep school in Chicago. Here’s my info:</p>

<p>Personal:
I’ve been involved in extreme personal situations that I would rather not mention on the website but I still will give a basic overview of myself
Nationality: Half Mexican/ part Black,haitan(dad’s half haitian/black but looks plainly black)
HS: Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy
Live in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago(high poverty rates, nothing to brag about)
Have an extreme circumstance with both parents (would rather not mention it in public)</p>

<p>Academics:
Average at best but I really don’t focus on my grades as much as I should
GPA: 3.65/4.2
ACT: 25-retaking next month and plan on high 20s-low 30s because I almost fell asleep at the first test.
All classes are honors and I’m taking AP Cal, AP Lit, and AP Gov this year.
Academic Decathlon-Place 2nd regionally in econ- project major :), 3rd in everything else
About 30/180
National honor Society-Plan on running for president before I apply</p>

<p>Extracurricular:
Most of my extracurricular revolve around the subject of business or the business my partner and I started. </p>

<p>1) Heaven’s Horticulture and it’s a landscaping business that revitalizes foreclosed properties. Most of the clients are residential but star bucks hired us to work on a couple properties.</p>

<p>2) Competed nationally at Columbia University in a Mergers and Acquisition competition, used basic financial valuations that are taught in a MBA finance course (venture capitalist I met told me that)</p>

<p>3) President of our school’s business club- do a lot of fundraising so we can participate in regional business competitions and we donated a portion of our money to S.A.D.D.</p>

<p>4) Illinois Institute for entrepreneurship education: Competed against other kids in the Midwest in a business pitch competition, tied for first and was rewarded investment capital in our business</p>

<p>5) Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center: Placed 2nd in a local business plan competition
Entrepreneurship track intern at a small construction company, attended a conference that had Gov. Quinn, and John W. Rogers (dare you to look him up) as key speakers along with a couple other senators/reps
6) President of an After School Matters prog. Managed 30+ kids</p>

<p>Recommendations will be from business and math teachers who know me the best because I’m passionate about those two subjects the most</p>

<p>Essays will be critiqued by at least 4 people each and including a friend who was admitted to Stanford</p>

<p>Please give all kinds of feedback. I accept positive and negative criticism</p>

2

<p>Your business-geared EC’s are excellent; definitely what Wharton’s looking for in its applicants. However, your academics for Wharton are weak at best. I’d call it a 50/50. Worth ED’ing those odds? Your choice.</p>

3

<p>Thanks. I kind of figured my academics were a little on the weak side. If you think it’s not worth ED then what other top-tier business schools do you suggest?</p>

4

<p>You could also apply to Wharton ED and Michigan EA. Michigan is non binding, non restrictive and it’s also very, very good for business. That way, you still have a chance of Wharton and if you’re accepted you just withdraw your UMich app.</p>

5

<p>Another school that’s good for business is Stern at NYU, however its admission decisions are based even more on numbers. Then you’ve got your obvious Harvard, MIT, etc. However, for Penn EC’s are as if not more important than GPA, and test scores, so I encourage you to apply to Wharton ED because if you present your case well you’ve got as good of a shot as anyone.</p>

6

<p>I mean, it seems like you have an interesting and compelling story to tell. That in itself sets you apart. Couple that with a URM status, living in a pretty bad part of town and good ECs, I would say you have a very good chance. Retake the ACT, and if you do well, your chances are solid.</p>

7

<p>your stats are good. I don’t know why people post their stats and ask for people who don’t know any more than you do about college admissions to tell them what percent chance they have of getting in. I meet students at penn every day whom I have no idea how they got in with their stats or overall brightness and then there are exceptionally smart students who make me wonder why they’re not in some dumbass Harvard undergrads position (trust me there are a lot of these)</p>

8

<p>Thanks everyone who gave me a little bit of insight on my weaknesses and thanks PennFranklin. I only posted because I wanted more of a college student’s perspective on my application process. I just wanted advice on my college choices from different perspectives rather than just peers/family.</p>