<p>I know that MIT has a quota system and has specific numbers for how many students it admits from each state/region. I’m from South Dakota, and I have an advantage applying to a college like MIT. Does UPenn have a quota system based on geographic region?
I’m just wondering whether I should even bother applying to Upenn. Here are my stats:</p>
<p>ACT (w/ writing): 35
SAT I (new): 2220
SAT II Chem: 800
SAT II Math Level IIC: 800
SAT II US History: 760
GPA: 3.975/4 unweighted, 4.2/4 weighted</p>
<p>I’ll have 8 AP classes by the time I graduate (lowest score is 4)</p>
<p>ECs:
Band: 3 yrs
Debate: 3 yrs (1st in state)
Quiz Bowl: 3 years (1st place in state 2 years)
Science Bowl: 2 years
Math contests @ universities: 4 yrs (4 first place awards, 1 2nd)
Started Spectrum, a club that promotes tolerance, etc. after a series of racial violence incidents at school
350 volunteer hours as an interactor @ the local science center
100+ volunteer hours as chem lab assistant at local college</p>
<p>You seem to have good scores and pretty good ECs I guess (although nothing uberoutstanding) but the 4.2/4 weighted thing is a little sketchy. Do you take the most rigorous courseload possible? If so, do you just score a lot of A minuses?</p>
<p>Regardless you have a great shot</p>
<p>An A in an AP class is worth 4.045/4, so with all my APs, my weighted GPA is a 4.2/4. Yeah, I got a few A minuses (in PE classes, not surprisingly). And, yes I did take the most rigorous courseload possible.
Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it!</p>
<p>hey. i don’t wanna sound like a buzzkill on CC in general, but you’re def a decent candidate to say the least, and it’s really difficult for any kid on CC to guage if you can get in. I used to be posting my stats and stuff and asking, but in the end, the selection process is very subjective.</p>
<p>the question about the quota system is good, but just for future reference, I don’t think any of the guys on CC have a real way of judging. I’m going to wharton next year, but like I don’t see a way I can read a “will i get into wharton?” thread and honestly say “yes. yes you will.” or “no. no you will not.” I imagine this is the case with many. </p>
<p>Overall, you seem like a decent candidate in general, but it’s the little subjective things that the ugrad adcoms really look at, and that’s the stuff no one on college confidential would be able to judge in the same way.</p>
<p>Good luck though, you seem like a good candidate in general, but as to whether you’ll get in here or there, only time will tell. It’s a ***** waiting, but oh well.</p>
<p>jarahul106 you’re completely right, but I guess that it’s a way to get some feedback from people that have actually been accepted and go to college at UPenn and, I think more importantly, a means of reassurance. I know that there are some kids that have a lot of insight into the admissions process since colleges like Caltech actually have a studend committee that reviews applications.
Thanks for the comment! I’m going to fall apart waiting for colleges to get back to me. I still haven’t received my AP scores for this year and I’m ****ed. I can’t imagine what I’ll be like when actually waiting for admissions decisions.</p>
<p>youre gonnna goto UPENN</p>
<p>dude, in the whole state from which you are applying to, probably there are less than 500 applications to UPenn. I am fairly confident this kid could get into Penn with 200 pts lower on his boards. His applicant pool is not like new york, california, new jersey, or any of those…</p>
<p>yeah man, i completely understand. i was you before too. But I dunno, I think after a while, once u reach a certain level with your board scores and extra curriculars and such, it just becomes a big crapshoot. </p>
<p>I think you’ve got the scores/EC activities to reach that level, but beyond that, a lot just becomes subjective. It may come down to the mood the adcom has on that day or something, or their personal experience with the stuff you write about in your essays. But in any case, I will say that you’ve got good enough scores and youve done enough that I’m at least able to think that its gonna all be up to the subjective stuff, and that’s as good of reassurance as I think kids here can give.</p>
<p>Unless of course there are ppl here part of that aforementioned student committee or whatever. But once again, good luck, and though at some points you’re looking for support and reassurance in any form (especially once youve sent the app, cuz u start second guessing and contemplating what youve done), just realize that it stops being in your hands, and that you’ve done all you can do.</p>