Can I get into PSU Main?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hey guys, please chance me!

Female
Virginia (so OOS)
Indian

Freshman: 3.55
Sophomore: 3.65
Junior: 3.49

SAT: 1740
ACT: 23, will be retaking in September

AP:
AP Music theory
AP Computer science
AP Statistics
AP Spanish
AP Environmental science

Honors:
HN English 9
HN world history 1
HN geometry
HN world history 2
HN english 11
HN english 12

So my top choice for college would probably be Penn State. Do you guys think I have a chance of getting in? I know my junior year GPA isn’t that good, but I’m hoping to bring up my ACT score to at least a 26 or 27 (I’m doing lots of prep).
I am not sure about my major, so I will probably apply undecided. Some other schools I will apply to are NC State, UMD College Park, Indiana U, and George Mason. If you think I could get into any of these please let me know! Thanks!!

2

Oh I forgot to say my extra curriculars and awards:

Varsity tennis (9, 10, 11)
Wind Symphony band (9, 10, 11) (euphonium)
Jazz band (10, 11) (trombone)
Flutopia wind ensemble (9, 10, 11) (euphonium)
Marching band (9, 10, 11) (section leader)
Junior optimist club (10, 11) (president: 12)
Girls STEM club (10, 11) (president: 12)
Spanish Honor Society (10, 11)
Leadership Honor Society (11)
Tri-m Honor Society (11)

3

Psu child abuse scandal plot thickened today with sealed documents being opened. Will that stomach- churning info make football program vulnerable, and admissions easier?

4

I doubt ECs matter much.

Your GPA and SAT are low for PSU.

But, you’ll be a full-pay OOS student so may be that will make a difference.

What are your parents saying about how much they’ll pay per year for college?

5

@moooop …No. PSU has more applicants than they know what to do with. After this year’s overenrollment, lower numbers might be welcomed, though I highly doubt that will happen.

I don’t know why you feel the need to speculate about “stomach-churning info” on someone else’s thread.

Anyway, OP:

  1. Is that GPA weighted or unweighted?
  2. Can you afford $47k/year?
6

Thanks so much for replying! My parents have saved up enough, so cost isn’t an issue. I’m only worried about getting in.

7

@bodangles thanks for your reply! That GPA is weighted, unfortunately. And yes, price is not an issue.

8

A ~3.56 cumulative (rough estimate) isn’t all that bad. Would you be amenable to applying undecided (in DUS) and/or for summer session? Both would improve your chances. Definitely work on that ACT. It’s currently below the 25th percentile (http://budget.psu.edu/CDSRedesign/cds.aspx?reportindicator=FreshAdmn&Location=UP&AY=20152016) and while PSU considers test scores part of the 1/3 of the decision that’s not based on GPA, it’s still not good to be in the bottom quartile.

9

@bodangles what is the “summer session” exactly? I’ve seen other people talking about it. I will probably apply undecided. If you have any other colleges that are well rounded on the east coast that I have a chance of getting into, please let me know! Thanks so much for your reply!

10

It’s starting in the summer instead of the fall. You take a couple of classes instead of several. Fewer people on campus. I’ve heard the people who do it like the opportunity to get familiar with the campus before other freshmen. Wouldn’t have been my cup of tea, but that’s the trade-off for increased admissions chances I guess. You can look into it a bit and see if it’s something you’d be interested in. I’m sure their website has some info.

11

@bodangles oh cool thanks! Do you recommend any colleges for me?