<p>What kind of GPA do the kids applying ED need to be competitive -specifically from top southeastern PA suburban Philly HS that sends at least 20 apps there a year? Anyone know anecdotally from kids that got in last year ? Thanks.</p>
<p>I’m just curious of which suburban school you’re talking about. Is it a private school? I go to a suburban Philly HS, but it’s public and 8 seniors from last year have either gotten admitted or are attending Penn (I forget which). I’m guessing you still need to be well in the top 10% but more likely the top 5% of your class. So, the GPA should be fairly high, but it’s hard to tell specifically since each school is slightly different. Just make sure that you’re in the top of your class and don’t forget to apply!</p>
<p>It’s public- Lower Merion SD. Considering the date, you have an excellent point about applying on time! App is virtually(no pun -intended online application) ready to go - teacher and counselor reports are already out.</p>
<p>I’m bumping this up to ask how many got in from your Philly suburban school - either ED or RD within the last several years? Any major shifts last year? Is it true that if a lot get in one year, that fewer do the next, or is it fairly consistent?</p>
<p>Approximately 10 have gotten in from my school last year. Those are not great odds for me, considering that at least 15 are already applying ED… must… kill… other… applicants…</p>
<p>Ur from Lower Merion? I’m from Conestoga! We had a good 5 or 6 students get in but then again, so many kids applied from our school…</p>
<p>If you don’t have other mitigating circumstances, your GPA will probably have to be the same as everyone else being admitted. Your school, though public, is in a fairly well heeled area and is known for being a very competitive environment with a solid curriculum - so you won’t get points for an compromises in your education thus far. </p>
<p>While Penn likes to have a good number of “local” kids on campus, they get a generous number of apps from the real “city” schools (and its top feeders are the city privates, esp the Quaker schools, and Central High)- many of them with some sort of hook - URM, Poor, those already in city programs, etc - and many of them come with competitive GPAs anyway. </p>
<p>Penn is an urban school with a draw for urban kids from PA, NJ, NY…so it doesn’t need to work too hard to draw top scoring kids from disadvantaged backgrounds. There’s really not much reason for Penn to compromise on that.</p>
<p>Kids from local communities are best served if they are involved in something related to the City of Philadelphia - an internship, volunteerism, etc. You’ll get more from this than from simply living nearby and being involved in the city is something only kids living nearby can do. Penn’s commitment to local kids is because they want to educate those who will improve life in the city. If you apply with this mission on your agenda, you’re ahead of the game.</p>
<p>Penn does take a number from my school every year, and some with my stats - excellent SATs, seemingly unimpressive GPA in the 4.5 weighted range, but still top 10%(unofficially because the school doesn’t rank). The problem is, there are tons of legacies, and kids of faculty, so it’s hard to know for real what my chances are. The guidance counselor basically tells anyone in top 10% to apply, and says that it really varies year to year who they take. I think it’s going to be a tough year, though - more applicants ED than ever.</p>
<p>I have been very involved for years in Phila. based community service projects. Hope you’re right.</p>