Will my freshman/sophomore years effect me?

Colleges & Universities University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I am EDing to the CAS.
Quick academic stats are
ACT: 32
GPA uw 3.92/4.00 Rank 16/651
My concern is my course load in freshman/sophomore year. I show a serious upwards trend in course rigor over my junior and senior years and it is the topic of my Common App Essay.
Anyways here is my transcript–I want to know how this will effect my chances:</p>

<p>Middle School carryovers:
Hon Algebra 2 – A- and B+
Hon Geometry – A and A-
Spanish 1 – A and A</p>

<p>Freshman Year:
Hon Trigonometry – A- and A-
Hon Government – A- and A-
English 9 – A- and A
Drawing 1 – A
Gym 1 – A
Spanish 2 – A- and A-
Science – A and A
Foods 1 – A
Keyboarding – A</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
AP Stats – A and A
AP Physics – A- and A and A
Chemistry – A and A
English 10 – A and A
Health – A
Gym 2 – A
History 10 – A and A
Graphic Design – A
Strength and Conditioning – A</p>

<p>This is the point in which I talk about in my essay–I seriously scaled it up</p>

<p>Junior Year:
IB Biology SL – A and A
AP Calc AB/BC – A and A and A
Hon English 11 – A and A
Crim Justice – A
Pwr Volleyball – A
Debate – A
AP Euro – A and A and A
French – A and A</p>

<p>Senior Year:
U of MN Economics – A
U of MN English – A
U of MN Sociology
IB Pyschology – A
IB Chemistry
IB Bio year 2
AP US history – A
Pol and Law – A</p>

<p>Presumably will yield all As. Anyways, how much do the first two years hurt my application?</p>

2

<p>To be honest, A- is not a bad grade and shouldn’t hurt your application much, if at all. I remember talking to a Penn admissions rep who said all the students they take generally get All A’s and B’s, and you don’t have any B’s at all haha. I think you have a great shot!</p>

3

<p>Can you be too perfect? I think that is a much better question to ask. I like to see bumps and bruises and dirt stains on football players. It means they got in the game and really got in the mix. The guy that suits up and goes home after the game in a nice, clean, white uniform never got off the bench.</p>

<p>Academically, if you get all As, does it look like you just cruised along. Maybe you excelled all your peers but did you challenge yourself or did the As just come easy. It’s hard too tell.</p>

<p>I think you have a little texture in your grades. Be glad for that.</p>

4

<p>Thank you, I just hope the admissions office sees that I took harder classes and academics much more serious beginning with my junior year.</p>