The University of Pennsylvania

“Pen is a big school so even if youAug 06 2005Math
Pen is a big school so even if you don't have the best grades or the most extracurricular activities you still have a shot at getting in. Try to make yourself standout. Show them that you are unique in some way. The best time for this is on your app or during your interview.
SAT: 1480 Male

“People go through so much to get into universitiesMay 16 2005Architecture
People go through so much to get into universities and it all becomes so meaningless so quickly. DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Write the flippin essays. If you're meant to, you'll get in. The end.
SAT: 1580 Female

“SATs: 1400+ (1450+ is better)May 16 2005Geography and Geosciences
SATs: 1400+ (1450+ is better)
Class Rank: Top 2-3% or better
Extracurriculars: Lots of them...hopefully one "interesting" one. Sports are a plus.
Apply early decision (nearly 50% of the class is admitted ED).

Just make sure that you have visited the school and realize that admissions is very selective with their applicants.
SAT: 1390 Male

“I didn't have stellar scores, I didn't have amazingFeb 20 2005Biology
I didn't have stellar scores, I didn't have amazing grades.

I made my application "distinct". I went and talked to actual faculty -- members of the pharmocology graduate program admissions board/council, profs in the chemistry department, some of the CSE faculty. I let them know what exactly I was about and who I was. In turn, I walked away with a recommendation from a pharm professor that I did internship work for.

my GPA was about a 93; my SAT was a 1420, SAT II mathIIC was 710, SAT IIC bio-M 720, SAT II Wri 660. I'm the first generation of my family to graduate from high school, I'm also from one of the top public schools in the state (which, conveniently is located in Philadelphia also) and I live about 10-15 blocks west of campus.

Penn is required to admit 100 students from the greater phila. area and a certain percentage must be public school graduates.
SAT: 1420 Female

“Well, I first met a required level of academicOct 20 2004Undecided
Well, I first met a required level of academic achievement and standardized test scores. But what distinguished me were other non-academic achievements. I play jazz professionally as a saxophone player and have appeared in clubs and concerts throughout the Philadelphia area, gigging frequently for small parties, etc. I was the member of my high school jazz band and a prestigious jazz ensemble at Philadelphia's famous Settlement Music School. I also was in the show orchestra, pep band, concert band, and orchestra at my high school and I jammed a lot and gigged with my good friends. I also performed community service through Hebrew high school which I attended bi-weekly until 11th grade. I am also an artist and I submitted a portfolio of my work with my application. I am also triple legacy.
SAT: 1380 Male