Chance at Penn State

<p>I'm a Junior...Penn State is #1 on my list of colleges I want to go to. But, the problem is, I'm not too sure if I can get in. Here's some info:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.7 (might be 3.8 or 3.9 after my junior year is done)
Class Rank: 17/119 (again, might be better after my junior year is done)
SAT Scores: 860 (That's the Old SAT score...first time taking it, obviously needs improvement. I think I did a lot better on the New SAT though!)
Extracurricular activities: Played Baseball for 2 years, possibly 3 years if I decide to play Senior year. DECA (Business program), Went to UAB this past summer (Only 3 people are chosen from certain schools...great business workshop that lasted 3 days), Jerseymen for only 1 year (Junior year), and play hockey outside of school because my school doesn't have a team.</p>

<p>Intended Major: Sports and Fitness/Management...but also considering Business Admin.</p>

<p>Basically, my only concern is my SAT score. I definitely think I did better on the New SAT but say, for example, I do get a average SAT score. Would I still have a shot at being accepted with all my other info?</p>

<p>Also, I know ethnicity is a relatively important part in admissions, especially in colleges with higher selectivity ratings. I'm half arabic...does anyone know if that could help me at all? It'd be nice to have some type of edge on the competition and if it did help, that would be great.</p>

<p>Any comments would be appreciated...thanks!</p>

<p>Get above an 1800 on the new SAT, and you'll have a good shot. You seem like a very focused student. Make sure you show it to them through your personal statement/interview.</p>

<p>Yeah, I think I can impress them...I'm not the best speaker, but I usually say the right things. </p>

<p>When do I do a personal statement/interview?</p>

<p>I've never seen an app for Penn State, so I don't know if it requires a personal statement. As for the interview, usually the college contacts you for it. You might also want to visit the campus for an on-campus interview, if the school offers it.</p>

<p>I have plans to go this Saturday over to Penn State...I live in NJ so its only about 3 1/2 hours away. </p>

<p>I'll check up on if they offer interviews for visitors.</p>

<p>anymore comments?</p>

<p>i may be wrong but i dont think youd need an 1800 minimum for psu, id say 1600-1800 range might be okay</p>

<p>ull be in if u get around 1800. 800 something on the old sat!!!!?????</p>

<p>yeah...It was one of those things where you think you're prepared and you find out that you really weren't. My Old SAT score was pretty bad but I'm sure I did a lot better on the New SAT. I felt a lot more comfortable with the questions and the difficulty wasn't too high. </p>

<p>I was talking to my guidance counselor today and she said that the lowest I could probably get away with on the new SAT is 1700 if I want to have a good shot at getting into PSU. April 12th is the day they post scores online!!!</p>

<p>BUMP...anymore comments?</p>

<p>Nope. Just wish you the best of luck! Oh, and ethnicity will give you an edge in admissions, but the problem is, of course, how much of an edge it will give you.</p>

<p>With those stats, I think you'll stand a great chance at not only getting in, but possibly getting into the Honors College at University Park (the main campus).</p>

<p>Like everyone else though, I would urge you to bump up your SAT scores or get a high score on the ACT. Everything else looks more than good enough for Penn State. I would even suggest applying to a couple schools that may be ranked higher!</p>

<p>Oh right, and I'm assuming you live in Pennsylvania? and that you're applying to Penn State-University Park? What other colleges are you thinking about?</p>

<p>I live in NJ...about 3 1/2 hours away from Penn State. </p>

<p>Impactangel - Forgot to mention that yes, that's the campus I want to go to (University Park). It's by far the best academically out of all the Penn State campuses. </p>

<p>jwlee8 - Other colleges I'm considering are Grove City College, Canisius College, and University of Massachusetts-Amherst. All are solid business schools with good academics. If you could give anymore info on those 3 colleges, that would be great. But from what I read, they seem like great colleges. </p>

<p>Also, Even though its a HUGE reach, I was thinking about applying to Brown. They don't take SATs into account as much as other colleges and they focus more on character/personal qualities. That works to my advantage so I thought it might be worth a shot, even though my chances are slim.</p>

<p>Check your facts, impactangel.</p>

<p>Shreyer's honors college requires a minimum (old) SAT score of 1350. </p>

<p>This will also be the case next year, when Penn State will not consider the writing section of the new SAT for admission. I believe that the writing section won't be used until 2008.</p>

<p>Note: there are students at my PA public school this year who were accepted to UPenn but denied admission to Shreyer's.</p>

<p>anyway...I'll probably reply with my new SAT scores on Monday (thats when they are posted online). Hopefully I can pull off a 1700 or better!</p>

<p>Sorry, Moose. I guess I missed the post that said you lived in NJ. You have a good list of colleges. I hope you pull off a killer SAT!</p>

<p>You sound like a great candidate. I'm honestly not trying to be a downer, and I'm sure you deserve to get in, but definitely work really hard to get that great SAT score. I'm not 100% positive, but I'm pretty sure PSU goes really heavy on numbers, because with 10,000 students in every incoming class, it's pretty much the only way they can do it.
Good luck!</p>

<p>New SAT Score:<br>
Math - 420
Critical Reading -510
Writing - 510
Multiple Choice - 54 (score range: 20-80)
Essay - 6 (score range: 2-12)</p>

<p>Basically, I'm horrible at SATs. 1440 is pretty bad...I need at least a 1700 for a solid SAT score and I'm still 260 points under. I find it hard to take an SAT and get a good score...I'm not stupid or anything, I just think they are tough.</p>

<p>any thoughts?</p>

<p>What do you think the problem is? Do you run out of time? Try taking some practice tests to determine where your weaknesses are, and work on improving yourself.</p>