UPenn Possibility? 2020 RD

Chance Me / Match Me
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Objective:
SAT I: N/A
ACT: 32 (31 English, 33 Math, 30 Reading, 33 Science)
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98 Weighted GPA: 4.11
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 3/53
AP (place score in parentheses): AP Calculus BC and AP Literature
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus BC, AP Literature, Honors Spanish IV, Honors Government, Chemistry II, Agricultural Business, Independent Digital Communications Study
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): N/A

Subjective:
ECs:

  1. Secretary of FFA Chapter (11,12) 2 hrs/wk 32 wk/yr
  2. Spanish Club Member (9,10,11,12) 1 hr/wk 32 wk/yr
  3. Academic Bowl Member (11,12) 1 hr/wk 16 wk/yr
  4. Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Member (10,11,12) 1 hr/wk 8wk/yr
  5. Varsity Soccer/Basketball/Baseball (Captain for Soccer and Baseball) (9,10,11,12) 12 hrs/wk 14 wk/yr
  6. Bookkeeper for my Dad’s Restaurant (11,12) 5 hrs/wk 52 wk/yr
  7. Farm Hand for Local Farmer (9,10) 12 hrs/wk 8 wk/yr
  8. NHS Member (11,12) 2 hrs/wk 16 wk/yr

Volunteer/Community service: Activities through NHS–No where on Common App to specify
Summer Activities: Summer Travel Baseball
Essays: Common App–8.5/10 Talked about how I made a life change to disregard judgement within my small community. Instead of trying to look good in front of others, just pursue your own passions and be yourself Penn–6/10–focused on studying abroad to develop social skills in business with those that we will be connected with in the future. Also, I said that because I desire to become more knowledgeable and have not been able to take courses in business at my school, I am ready to take on business material and utilize Penn’s student body/professors to support each other and myself.
Teacher Recommendation: U.S. History/Soccer Coach was magnificent. Highlighted my leadership within the community, as well as how I can analyze situations and take different perspectives. Calculus Teacher–She loves me, but it may be generic.
Counselor Rec: Counselor has known me for one year, and is my NHS advisor. Generic.
Interview: The interviewer and I laughed a lot, especially when I told her about my experiences chasing chickens. Stumbled on the why Penn question, but talked about the study abroad opportunities and how Penn is an instiution that offers the best financial value for me.
Supplementary Material: None

Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Actuarial Science, Economics, Finance
Region: Rural Illinois
School Type: Public (200 students)
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Hooks: None
Misc: Honestly, two people in our school have attended decent institutions (Notre Dame, Northwestern) over the past 7 or 8 years. I have taken the most challenging courses available, and have gotten one B. I know it’s not college prep, but for what I had, I think I made the best of it. ALSO–Waitlisted at Notre Dame :confused:

I am applying Regular Decision

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I am applying to Wharton, I forgot to specify. Also, I just visited about 4 days ago.

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Bump

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Anyone?

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Although your courseload is a bit light on APs, U Penn will understand that you’ve taken the most challenging curriculum given the narrow availability at your school. But I have to say that U Penn is a high reach for you as it is for most other applicants. Your ACT is okay, but it may be on the lower end of the Ivy League spectrum. A school of U Penn’s caliber would also expect more leadership roles in ECs.

Since you already applied, there isn’t much that can change your application at this point. But good luck, and hope you get in! I was rejected by U Penn ED this year :stuck_out_tongue:

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@Pokerworld my recommendation from my US History teacher defenitelly highlighted my leadership though. Honestly, at such a small school, only the kids of families that are known here usually are the ones that have these positions. Regardless, I understand it’s a reach.

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@Pokerworld Actually excuse my rudeness. Thanks for taking the time to respond, and hoping that I get in. You are right, everything is submitted and I cannot change that.

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Since you got waitlisted by Notre Dame, it’s hard to imagine that you got into Penn (no offense, but they’re two different caliber schools), especially Wharton. However, I wish you the best of luck, as you never know with college admissions. I understand how hard it is to go to a school that isn’t represented at top universities and with limited AP courses. You may be exactly what Penn is looking for and the opposite of what Notre Dame wanted. No matter where you go next year, make the best of it. You can still get a quality education at so many universities.

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@shemp903 No offense taken. I understand how stressful the situation is for you right now. Even though being rejected from U Penn ED really capsized my boat, life does get better-- it’s not up to an institution to determine my happiness, it’s myself.

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Got in!