Junior year GPA: 3.85
Overall GPA: 3.54
ACT Score: 30 composite
Many extracurricular and clubs. 2 AP classes senior year. Applied in August. How much will my GPA actually hurt me. This is the school I seriously want to get into. Someone please help me know my chances. Thank you
It depends on the major or college to which you are applying. Have you taken a rigorous courseload? Math through at least precalc? Any honors and APs above and beyond the two you are currently taking? Is 3.54 weighted or unweighted? Penn State receives thousands of applicants. Demand far exceeds supply, so PSU is known to take a very formulaic approach to admissions with GPA counting for 2/3rds of admissions decision and test scores accounting for 1/3rd. I’ve heard again and again that PSU rarely considers extra curricular activities, legacy status, recommendation letters, etc. Consider selecting summer as a backup option.
I have a pretty average rigor. I got an A+ in my precalculus class junior year and I’m currently in Calc honors this year. The 3.54 is weighted
Also I am applying for DUS which I’ve heard could be easier for me to get into university park. I have the summer as a backup option just in case.
DUS has been getting more competitive as others are applying DUS when they are worried about not getting into their major of choice. This past application season, there were other majors “easier” to get into than DUS.
Penn State won’t care about your junior year, they will only care about your final GPA after first 3 years and your test scores for the most part. Your ACT score is good. My daughter is a senior now, but back when she applied she had a 3.5 and and a 29 ACT and got in for summer DUS. But it changes every year. Definitely put summer as an option. But you probably have a good shot with summer and your ACT.