Chances

Colleges & Universities University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hi,
Im currently a Grade 11 student studying in Italy in an International School, with chinese background…Im originally from Singapore(this is the part which just sucks)</p>

<p>SAT 1: taking it in May, but trial tests recently have shown the results to be around 2050-2100 [after taking 2 trials thats it]</p>

<p>SAT 2: Taking it in Grade 12 since it thought that it would be wise to get over with the SAT 1’s first, but im expecting pretty high scores since i have looked books and it does not seem difficult at all. Expected subjects: Chinese, Maths 2, Chemistry, possibly italian/ biology</p>

<p>IB Courses:
English A1 SL
Italian B SL currently
Maths HL
Economics HL
Chemistry HL
Biology SL</p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars:
Scouts [represented both school and country in various events]
Scouts Committee that oversaw the running of the troop
Swimming</p>

<p>Community Service:
Over 300 hours of recorded service in Grade 9, 10
Constructive Engagement of Conflict in Grade 11
Part of a NGO that aims to help out in Sudan</p>

<p>Work Experience: None, but will be trying to get one in summer when i return back to Singapore</p>

<p>I know this looks very bare, but is there anything that i can do to beef it up such that i stand a even miserable chance?</p>

2

<p>Your SAT is a little low. Also, you can only take 3 SAT 2s at one time so you might want to get some of them done in June.</p>

<p>ECs and courseload look good as long as your rank is top 10% or (preferably) higher.</p>

<p>Write some good essays and I say you at least have a chance, even if it isn’t great. Coming from Singapore will probably be hard because (I’d assume) the country has a very competitive applicant pool.</p>

<p>

Don’t do things JUST to beef up your application. Do things sincerely, and write sincere essays. Spectacular essays can help a TON at ANY school (I know someone with a 2100 or lower SAT who got into Yale SCEA and is going there this fall… she’s also an amazing writer and has been doing research the past 2 summers).</p>