My path goes 2 ways

Colleges & Universities University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hello,everyone.I appreciate all the information I’ve found here thanks to you all.Decided to register to ask my questions.I don’t find a point looking into the past,regretting what could’ve been what should’ve been because it’s pointless.Here’s in very short my achievements and life story.
Born and studied in Bulgaria.Currently in the 12th grade.Have played chest until I was 12,biggest achievement is top 15 at an u-10 competition(don’t know if I can find the official stats to prove it).I’ve participated in a lot of math competitions until I was 14,was #1 in my home town(70-80 000 people)numerous times,took part in national limited entry competitions in which I think my biggest achievement is top 20 or 30.
I received very high marks pre-high school exams and could’ve gone to the top high schools in the capital,but decided to follow my true passion which is soccer as you call it in the US.It was bad decision not to go to the capital because not only could I go to the best school in the country,but the opportunities with soccer would’ve been quite bigger.I don’t have any big achievements in soccer prior to this moment.Haven’t participated in any clubs in high school.
I don’t feel bad about those decisions,because they were made completely by me and at least I’ve lived my life walking in my shoes through that part of life
I have very strong interest in psychology and philosophy.After starting to go deeper into those two subjects and self development,my passion for business was also ignited.
Last summer I worked for 2 months as promoter area manager for the world’s biggest nightclub Privilege,which is in Ibiza,Spain.I have strong reccomendations from there and from my English teacher.
I am not completely sure how my marks convert into GPA because in Bulgaria they are from 2(poor) to 6(excellent).Best case scenario I can get 5.8-9 in my high school diploma,having excellent marks in Math and Geography+Economics.I don’t really see how the other marks have anything in common with Business…</p>

<p>So this is until now.I plan to apply to Wharton and some other top business schools in the US.What do you think from those will maximize my chances for getting there:
Option 1:Going to a business school in Rotterdam or Copenhagen or maybe King’s in London(I think the two business schools are more prestigious no matter there’s no good ranking system for business undergraduate schools) which are maybe the top undergraduate business schools in Europe from my research.Than applying as a transfer student or can start over from year 1 eventually.
Option 2:Taking a gap year,which would include 2-3 months working in the summer in the promotion business or in accounting if I’m able to get a job at a good place.Then 2x2 months volunteering in humanitarian programs in Africa and business internship in Asia/Australia and maybe taking part in other programs but considering the fact that they may be done after my application was passed they may be irrelevant to it.
Add to that SAT I close to 2400 and SAT Subject Tests close to 800.(Have no problem with the math section,other sections also aren’t very hard for me,will have to prepare for one subject test except math though)
So that’s nearly the best application I can come up with,no matter I’m sure I can jump beyond my expectations.I believe in myself and my abilities and want your opinion as a refference point.Do you think I stand a chance if I apply for financial aid?If I don’t?Thank you</p>

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<p>Mate we also very simillar, with the exception that I was quite lazy in my freshman year and sophomore of the high school. Realized just now. My advice is, apply to your top choices in your senior year as everyone. ED to Wharton if you wish and UD to all other top choices, I mean those choices you will be super happy to go, if you are admitted. If you won’t get admitted, take a gap year and make a maximum of it.</p>

3

<p>I think no chance for aid because for international students aid is very, very limited, and is need-blind, meaning those with top results will get it. Out of 4000 people coming to UPenn, about 600-700 are international students and out of those only 50-60 get aid. And if you apply with aid stated as needed, and you won’t receive the aid, they will reject you, even if you have great scores and they would accept you otherwise…</p>

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<p>Thanks for the answer.But actually I am born in 92,meaning I am graduating this year so if I want to go to study to the US I’ll either have to take a gap year or go study in Europe.And I am not sure whether it’s worth it paying 40 000 usd per year.Let me break it down.As EU student I can study for free in Denmark and the taxes in the Netherlands in usd would be near 2300 usd per year.I don’t think the difference is that big,though I would give it my best to get into top US college.</p>

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<p>Obviously you can not compare Wharton as best undergrad business school in the whole world to some kind of free school. Education is expensive those days, but in my opinion, investment is very profitable.</p>

<p>Btw, could you look at my topic? Interesting what you might think</p>

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<p>Mate,those are the taxes for EU citizens,not for everyone…just like some US schools cost 5-10 Gs for US students and for international students they are all around 40 grand.For non-EU students the education in Denmark and the Netherlands is around 10 000 Euros and if we’re talking about “banging for the buck”,the starting salaries in Europe are definitely not lower than the US ones.Add the fact that the US is quite exaggerated.Anyway,the grass is always greener on the other side as we know…
I just checked your topic-you’re an animal :slight_smile: I’m really happy for your current success.You still have 2 years until applying so you have enough time to prepare.</p>

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<p>Well thank you, however my GPA will be bad, but it will not play that huge role, because the school does actually rank the percentage at least, not oficially though. I mean I could be in top5-10%</p>

<p>IF I will study extremely hard now. And btw, I am not EU citizen, so for me its like US for sure. Thanks a lot, however, my only sucess was my business and IQ which I want to proof by Mensa.</p>

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<p>I’ll tell you that if you’re an international student, finding financial aid at competitive schools is extremely difficult to come by. Except at the need-blind Harvard. But getting in there is hard enough anyways.</p>

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<p>I believe I will stand a chance for an aid with my gap year hooks.What do you other kids think?</p>

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<p>If your gpa will be 5.8-5.9 out of 6, meaning almost perfect, I think you definitely stand a chance with gap year hooks, gap year is great!</p>

<p>btw free bump :D</p>