Admissions criteria for the honors college?

<p>Is there a comprehensive manual out there (Schreyers)? I heard they no longer consider SAT's; what about senior grades?</p>

<p>I have a nephew who was recently accepted into the SHC. He said there was no manual that he knew of. The Schreyer website (Schreyer</a> Honors College - Penn State Undergraduate Admissions) has a lot of helpful information. </p>

<p>From what I understand from my nephew and my daughter (who wants to get in next year) they don't consider SAT's - they do however look very strongly at strength of schedule (they apparently are more impressed with a B+ in an honors or AP course than an A in a easier version of the course for example). They like lots of AP and Honors courses.</p>

<p>Also, as I understand it, they are huge into extra curricular activities and especially leadership positions in those EC's. Teacher recomendations are also important. The essay and supplimental questions on the PSU applications are also critical. From a future students reception we attended, they say they are not only looking for smart kids, but they want leaders and INTERSESTING students.</p>

<p>There's a student who has answered a MILLION questions on this forum for me - CWRYAN1. Maybe he can weigh in. He's is very knowledgeable and extremely helpful - CWRYAN1 are you out there?</p>

<p>ha thanks phillyareamom, I enjoy helping out the future Penn Staters. </p>

<p>Now, you won't find a checksheet of what you need for acceptance into Schreyer, that is what makes it so hard to crack. You can be a 4.0 student, 2400 SAT and still get rejected, (I have met some who are in this boat, well maybe not 2400, but similar stats). Basically, Schreyer looks for well-rounded students, students who are intellectually curious and not just "in it for the grade." So what does this mean?</p>

<p>To me, this means that in HS, you are taking a varied listing of classes in the highest level, if possible. So if you are a science geek, you should try to mix in some arts and humanities in your schedule. Myself personally, I made sure to take AP and honors history and government courses along side my AP Bio and advanced chemistry and biotechnology high school classes. Showing interst in HS EC's, especially leadership, also works in your favor. </p>

<p>The essays and letters of Rec are also important. Seek out your teachers you feel had the best conenction with, chances are, they will be more than willing to write a glowing letter of Rec for ya. I think who you get letters from also matters. When I applied (science major) I had 1 leter from my AP Bio teacher/FFA Advisor, 1 letter from my AP World History teacher, 1 from my fav english teacher, and 1 from my guidance counselor. Needless to say, I am in the Honors College now. </p>

<p>SHC will see your senior grades as they are most likley reported to PSU by the time they review your app. I would assume that if your final transcript shows you failing a class or two, SHC wouldn't hesitate to revoke your status. From what I have been told/heard, SHC does not look at SAT's when making their choices. I was admitted with SAT's < 1900.</p>

<p>Graham Spanier who? CWRYAN1 for PSU President! </p>

<p>Thanks buddy, I was certain you would have good advice. </p>

<p>Phillyareamom</p>

<p>Oh god, so why do they keep their official admissions website so bereft of substantial information? The wording was horribly obtuse, and I assumed they would only do that if the qualifications of the honors college are of the same kind, albeit to a higher degree, as that of the regular college. But that's obviously not the case.</p>

<p>Not even a glance at test scores? That's big, and I'm sure lots of people who legitimately stand a chance are so discouraged by their low test scores that they don't even consider Schreyers, let alone sift through a muddled mess to find that SAT's are irrelevant when all signs point to the opposite. Outside of CC, it took a long and convoluted path to confirm this fact through google. That's simply unreasonable, and Wikipedia has it flat-out wrong! And add to that the disingenuous boasting about Schreyer's high SAT median -- it's like they're trying everything they can do to obscure the truth.</p>

<p>Yet I'm still a bit dumbfounded by these criteria; I trust that you know your stuff, cwryan, but why is PSU doing this? By discarding standardized test scores, which usually (and rightfully, I would say) forms half of a dominating duo with GPA, Schreyers must rely more on EC's and leadership and character. You corroborated that assumption in your post, cwryan. So essentially, Schreyers, an honors college but part of a state school nonetheless, is attempting to drive admissions more towards social leadership than the most ambitious Ivy and more towards academic curiosity than the most intellectual liberal arts college, since the vast majority of universities and colleges still put heavy emphasis on the SAT?</p>

<p>Interesting</p>

<p>Are you trying to impress someone with your verbiage in the last post? I mean really, this is a public forum, not an academic essay.</p>

<p>Anyway, SHC has been pushing their no SAT policy when admitting students. It just so happens that the students they admit have the high SAT scores, which bring up the average of the college. SHC's policy of evaluating each student as a whole has had its impact on campus. Scholars are leading many student organizations, conducting cutting-edge research, and winning presitgious national scholarships. SHC is also regarded by many to be one of the top honors programs in the nation and is comparable to an Ivy in terms of prestige, selectivity, and academics.</p>

<p>I applied to Penn State for regular decision. I have a question about how to apply to the Schreyer Honors College. So as I said, I already did the regular aplication part and I believe there was a section for schreyer Honors College… cant remember for sure correct me if I am wrong.
So do i have to write separate essays for the Schreyer Honors College?
Also, if I do write the essay how many words would you recommend for essays each?</p>

<p>there is a section on your login page
there are 3 essays to write
no word limit</p>