<p>I always get a kick out of the kids asking the chances question and the responses. Here is something from the Penn State Admissions web site for Guidance Counselors that may assist you in answering that chances question, too:</p>
<p>DISCLAIMER: This graph represents the academic credentials of students offered first-year, baccalaureate admission for fall 2006. Every admission year is different in terms of the number of students who apply and the credentials they present. Therefore, the graph should not be viewed as representing absolute cut off or minimum requirements for any campus. Admission decisions are based on both an academic evaluation and individual considerations.</p>
<p>The problem with that chart — it doesn’t differentiate between the different campuses. For example, getting accepted at Greater Allegheny is easier than being accepted into Erie. The chart just shows the campuses collectively. So, if you’ve applied to Erie as your first choice and you fall within that graph, you may or may not be accepted there.</p>
<p>I agree, lindasmom. However, it is a tool just like using the Common Data Set as another tool. Section C. “FIRST-TIME, FIRST-YEAR (FRESHMAN) ADMISSION” of the common data set shows SAT data for each individual campus and Penn State publishes this data here: [Penn</a> State Common Data Set](<a href=“http://www.budget.psu.edu/CDS/default.asp]Penn”>http://www.budget.psu.edu/CDS/default.asp)</p>
<p>So, using both those tools would give you a better idea of where you (or your S or D) may have your best chance. Hope this helps, we are waiting to hear back too!</p>
<p>This helpful chart seems to pop up about once a month; I’ve asked the mods if they will “sticky” it.</p>
<p>Lindasmom, I hadn’t heard that about the different branch campuses. I suppose I always assumed kids would apply to whichever was closest to home. Any idea how common it is for kids to apply to schools other than “their” branch campus?</p>
<p>1moremom, PSU is an extremely popular school among my D’s high school, but not everyone chooses the same campus for different reasons. Erie has a nice engineering building and tends to be popular with people who love snow (for obvious reasons), and it’s not a long drive from anywhere in Western PA. Altoona is popular for those wanting to be close to the main campus for football games or other activities. The smaller campuses, like Greater Allegheny, Beaver, are more popular for commuters. So for us here in Western PA, it really seems the students are split in their first choice of campuses between Main (for those who can get accepted), Altoona and Erie, all for different reasons. My D visited those 3, and there are differences in scenery and living arrangements, important for some. </p>
<p>We’re all anxious in this house to receive the decision, when we receive it, I’ll let you all know.</p>
<p>The experience at my son’s hs in Eastern PA was a bit different as far a branch campuses go. Pretty much everyone wants to go to “Main” - although a few clearly want to stay local and live at home - choosing a small local branch. Those who don’t get into Main go to Altoona - or don’t go at all. For the most part, branch campuses are not even on the radar screen. No visits to the campuses - nothing. They’re viewed as “last resort” options.</p>
<p>My D received admission to her second choice - a small branch campus. She’s extremely disappointed, but before we say no and just have her go to her alternative (she’s already accepted), we’re going to give PSU a chance. Although curriculum is the same from branch to branch, the outside activties vary greatly. Her small campus doesn’t offer much, so she has much to decide. A few more visits are in order before the final decision is made.</p>
<p>The letter was dated November 12, received November 17. (admission decisions are almost always received on a Saturday).</p>
<p>lindasmom: In past years I have seen kids accepted into main after being accepted to branch campuses. A few emails and stating her willingness to start in the summer MAY give her a better chance at main. Good Luck.</p>
<p>Agreed. I know a few kids who were accepted to branches and “appealed” with the willingness to start in the summer, and then were subsequently permitted to attend UP. There seems to be one drawback, however. I think the students admitted during the summer are automatically listed as having an undecided major (even if they are not undecided), which may have some negative bearing on their course selection, advising or admission to selective programs within Penn State. I am not positive how this works, but it would be worth checking. For example, my friend’s son wanted to study accounting and I think would have been accepted with this major at a branch campus, but he got into UP for summer. They declared him as having an undecided major and he later was not accepted into Smeal for the accounting major. It seems odd to me that they restrict major selection for admitted students, but apparently they do.</p>