<p>got into smeal univ. park! :)</p>
<p>Penn State says the gpa is 66% of the admission decision. They are very clear oin the web site. You can also look at the control data set. There aren't too many kids getting into PSU with B+ averages.</p>
<p>From the web site:</p>
<p>Admission decisions for first-year students are made on the basis of several combined factors. Keep in mind that approximately two-thirds of the decision for each student is based upon the high school grade-point average (GPA). The remaining one-third of the decision is based on other factors, which may include standardized critical reading and math test scores, class rank, personal statement, and activities list. </p>
<p>Final grades in all subject areas for years nine, ten, and eleven of high school
Weighted average or class rank for students who have taken AP/Honors courses
Required Carnegie (high school) units
Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)</p>
<p>Daughter applied around November 1st. /</p>
<p>Yea, 26 ACT (translates to hi 1100's on SAT) and a B+ average are not to sneeze at unless hoping to go to PSU-UP, notably after a year in which they over-enrolled the freshman class by about 2,500. It's been duly noted that this year's applicants would pay the price for last year's mistakes. Still, those stats have been commonwealth campus admits for many years. And re: the legacy issue, so are every 1 in 6 Pennsylvanians. Not such a big deal. It counts, but not for much, nor should it. This is about your offspring, not where you went to school 20 years ago. That's urban mythology everywhere but the elitist ivies. Why should a lesser student be admitted over a person with better credentials simply because dad or mom attended? Tell me how that "fits" into mission of PSU and is fair to others? Harsh as it can be, this is mostly about #s when you're dealing with this # of applicants. And it doesn't change when one arrives. It's #s game.</p>
<p>Now, the real question of legacies ... have you been a generous donor each of those years since? That might and should carry some additional weight. That's the real issue of "legacy." Who has done more than pay their bills @ Alma Mater? If otherwise, skip the point. You paid your bills, got your degree. Like going to the Giant. They owe you nothing. You owe them nothing. They only sell football tix to those who invest in the program. Being a legacy counts for zilch. Why would student admission be different?</p>
<p>Now to the point. If she REALLY loves and wants PSU what's wrong with going to a Commonwealth campus for a year or 2 to prove she is tough enuff? Nothing at all. In fact these are fine places, especially for good, not great students who would benefit from solid undergraduate focused instruction and good student relations. Let's not lay this gig on PSU-UP. It is what it is, and everyone in the civilized world knows that. It's big, impersonal, by the #s ... unless a student fills a special need for the U. Diversity, athletics, special skill or attribute. (Not arguing for or against this practice, btw. It simply is and the U makes no bones about that. All is not fair in love and war ... or being admitted to PSU.)</p>
<p>Penn State reports today that applications are up 9% for in-state and 15% for OOS. They have refined their admissions procedures this year so that they admit only about 7000 to UP. I figure this is why it is taking extra time for everyone to hear. 7000 will still be the second largest class ever admitted to PSU-UP.</p>
<p>I got in to UP liberal arts yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Phillydad, forget PSU. Pitt is just as good. Certainly beats hanging out for two years at Altoona, or Abington, or wherever they assigned her...</p>
<p>WHISTLE PIG...thank you for your input. What's interesting though is that in the SAME envelope with the UP rejection was a PSU marketing piece stating UP admit stats and Commonwealth admit stats. According to what THEY said ( NOT ME ) she falls into the middle 50 percent for UP admit.. YES, at the lower end, but still there. Then, of course, is the bottom 25%. I wonder who they are <g> So this is a system without explanation.....bottom line is I have no intention of appealing this decision...she will not be going to Penn State...and that's OK !</g></p>
<p>Yes, there are lots of variables in the equation no matter what is stated simply. I'm sure there are students in the top 25% profile not admitted. And those are historical figures. Again, last year's history demands those stats no longer apply in combination with an even more competititive pool.</p>
<p>Doesn't hurt to call and ask someone in admissions for an explanation though, no matter what the case. But if you've no intention of appealing what would seem like a reasonable request, then so be it. One might conclude it was not sufficiently important enough to do so. While I'd feel very same disappointment (at least that's what I would feel), were it important to my child and it seemed apparent there might be some wiggle room here, then I'd sure as heck be asking. We differ about that.</p>
<p>Again, I've no clue what's wrong with going to another campus for some time IF PSU is all that important. But as you say, it's OK she's not going to PSU. She'll do fine wherever she lands among the other 5,000 or so possibilities. Good luck.</p>
<p>Finally got the letter!! Daughter got accepted to the Nursing program! If I remember correctly from our visit with the School of Health and Human Development, they only have 90-100 student slots for enrollment in the nursing program. We were prepared for her to be given her second choice major. This is just great news!! Needless to say, my daughter is thrilled and this mother can breathe a sigh of relief.</p>
<p>Awesome for you and your daughter, newdawn!!!</p>
<p>Great news, newdawn!</p>
<p>I just got rejected to University Park- Smeal, and was asked to pick 2 other campuses. I'm debating whether or not to do it because I really only wanted to go to University Park. I got into Rutgers, which is much cheaper, so I'll probably end up going there.</p>
<p>Have you visited Rutgers?</p>
<p>Yeah... I've taken a tour and I live 10 minutes from Rutgers-New Brunswick. I know a ton of people there who love it. While I would rather go to PSU, Rutgers isn't a bad option.</p>
<p>What are CLEPS? Does PSU accept them?</p>
<p>I emailed PSU 2 days ago asking if I could switch my major to DUS and they called me back and offered me summer session at UP- Smeal, so I took it. It just goes to show you that contacting admissions does work.</p>
<p>Anyone here applying to Schreyers who has already heard back from admissions? I mean for PSU admissions, not Schreyers.</p>
<p>How much do ice cream cost at the creamery?</p>
<p>I applied to Schreyer's and I recieved my admissions letter from PSU (regular admissions) around December 20th. I was actually surprised I got it so quickly, I sent my application in on November 30.</p>