How I did it: "I play volleyball and I'm captain of my lacrosse team. I'm also on the debate team, in student government and I play three instruments -- piano, guitar and ukulele.

I'm a freelance visual illustrator. I run a business where people can contact me if they want an illustration. It's mostly a lot of portraiture. I'm fascinated by human anatomy and faces. I like drawing scenes that tell a story and evoke emotions. I sent my portfolio to Penn. I want to study visual studies, because they have a really great program there, and I told them that."

Test scores and grades: "I'm in the top 10 percent of my class. I got mostly As in school until I started taking IB classes junior year, when I got some Bs in those.

My test scores are low. I guess I'm not a great test taker. I got a 28 on the ACT. I thought that would ruin any chance to get in.

No one anticipated for me to get in. Statistically, everyone told me I was better off trying for my second choice. But I said I have to at least go for my dream.

I was completely shocked. Our school never really has kids going off to the Ivy Leagues. We had two this year in my class, and we're both going to Penn."

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