<p>Well i am applying ED at Rice, but I am applying to a bunch of other schools, Penn being one of them. I realize that it is a crapshoot, but am I a viable candidate?
Here’s the profile!
2180/1430 SAT (760m,670cr,750wr)
Taking Math 2,chem, and phys. subjects in a couple of weeks
32 ACTw/wr (34m+e,32r,27sc) (about to retake… I think I’ll get a 34… who knows)
31/617 rank
3.98 gpa
95.1 uw average
99.3 W average
taking calculus BC ap, ap gov/econ, ap stats, ap chem, ap physics c, and ap elit this year
11 AP classes
3 5’s and a 4 so far (taking 7 this year)
NHS,YoungRepublicans,2yrs.basketball,1yr.work,1yr. debate,1yr.academic comp., physics teacher’s aide
one of two NM commended at my school,Ap Scholar w/honors,regional qualifier in my current issues comp.
Prospective major: electrical engineering
*Spent all my time fresh. and soph. year working out and practicing for basketball, but I had to quit when I got a job as a junior b.c. we needed the extra money (my mom dated a conman who ran up tens of thousands of debt on her credit card)… worked 16 hrs. a week during the school year last year and 32 hours a week in the summer
will try to work this into my essay along with how my dad walked out on me at 11 and I’ve been morally supporting my mother like an adult ever since and how we had to go to a local charity and get free food for a little while and how I fell down three times in basketball tryouts and got up and made the team</p>
<p>So can I get into the Penn?
PREDICTIONS ENSUE!</p>
<p>Fun Fact: 0 replies, 95 views</p>
<p>The answer to the question “am I a viable candidate” is really that anyone could be a viable candidate. Your stats are pretty decent, and you have a really unique situation that could turn into an excellent essay. But if you are going to start applying now ED to Penn, it’s a little bit late…do you want to go to Penn because you recently developed a sudden passion for its programs or just to give it a shot? If you really love Rice then apply there ED.</p>
<p>My Penn Admissions officer told me that they are looking SPECIFICALLY for kids who are academically able but from ‘disadvantaged’ backgrounds because Penn gets too many kids from all the same background. That said, for applicants whose GPA/class rank comes from a not especially academic school (as seen by having only 2 commended’s), they want to see high SATs/ACTs - preferably over a 700/30 in every subject, although since you’re applying to engineering they will focus on your math on the SAT, and on math/sci on the ACT. I don’t know if you have done prep, but I would buy an ACT prep book if I were you to study for science. The science section is a lot about how you approach the problem, and the prep books can help with that.</p>
<p>Overall, I think you are a competitive applicant. With good essays and a strong interview you would have a reasonable shot ED, but RD might be challenging since it becomes so much more competitive. Again, there are so many external factors (essays, the reader on the day) that its hard to say anything for certain. But honestly, go with the school you love. If you love Rice enough to go ED, go for Rice. You also stand a better shot at financial aid at Rice, though I’ll warn you that ED with needing FA is a crapshoot far greater than applying to any Ivy.</p>
<p>Chance me back?</p>
<p>So Ivies aren’t need-blind like they say they are?</p>
<p>Ivies most definitely are need blind. I applied ED last year, and can attend Penn because I am here on an almost-full scholarship/grant from Penn. I came from a “disadvantaged” background, and in my application, I expressed my love of learning and demonstrated an ability to overcome non-optimal circumstances without throwing a pity-party. Apply if you love Penn, it’s really quite great here. However, don’t apply here just for the name (I’m not suggesting that you are) and expect to work very hard, especially to catch up to those from better backgrounds.</p>
<p>Well it just seems like a very interesting place to go… I like Philly, and so I figured I’d give it a shot! I wrote my 150-word personal statement… It was 340 words lol
It’s alright that it is longer right? I think it is really good</p>