hi, I’m applying to Penn State University Park and am wondering what my chances are at getting in
my gpa is a 2.97 but i have a good explanation for why it is so low and i feel i have a strong personal statement. my ACT is a 26 and the major i chose is for advertising and public relations. i have a very good list of extracurriculars as well as my high school being publicly ranked
thank you! 
Hi - with a 2.97 and 26 ACT your chances of getting into UP campus are slim to none. Your explanation would have to be very credible because believe me, I am sure Penn State hears every “explanation” in the books as to why someone’s GPA isn’t where it should be.
That being said, the commonwealth campuses would be a very good fit for you and then you go to UP campus after 2 years. 60% of all students that graduate from PSU started at a branch campus. It is a very common way of doing things. PSU Erie and Altoona are the two largest campuses besides UP and Altoona is only 45 minutes away from UP.
Good luck!
hi,
my alternative starting on my app is Altoona. Am i at a disadvantage for not selecting the summer program to begin with? Penn State is my second and I am already in my #1, but am just trying to see my chances because I would definitely consider UP if I were to get in
hi,
my alternative starting on my app is Altoona. Am i at a disadvantage for not selecting the summer program to begin with? Penn State is my second and I am already in my #1, but am just trying to see my chances because I would definitely consider UP if I were to get in
Change to summer, of course. Would you consider the 2+2?
@sehssj With a 2.97 GPA I would definitely be applying with the summer session option checked as well as applying undecided (DUS). Summer would be your best bet for UP, and that will still be a stretch - but it depends on your explanation for your grades I suppose. If you apply with the summer option they will review your application in this order: UP fall >> UP summer >> Altoona Fall.
^I agree. Typically, 2.9-3.4 means branch campus, and 3.5-4.0 means UP, with variations coming from curriculum rigor and major. DUS + Summer session helps a bit and DUS also does, but as you said even like that it’s a stretch.
Hopefully OP’s interested in 2+2.
I am not sure i would do 2+2 as i already have better offers. Ive already turned in my app tho so would there be anyway to check off the summer option. However, I truly wouldn’t want to go for a summer session.
Summer session is actually a great option - you get to discover the campus when there are “only” 12,000 people there (vs.45,000) so that when the new freshmen arrive and get lost you’re totally on the ball, you make friends in your LEAP group, you take 2 classes for your gen eds which is efficient (less crowded than in the Fall, done with basics earlier = can register earlier for classes you want, only 2 classes a once) and you get to enjoy State College in the summer.
ok so if i were to somehow change my app to be a summer course option then would i have to do UP summer and altoona fall? also how long is the summer session and is there a gap between the fall?
If you were to get accepted into the summer session, you would take two classes in the summer for 6 weeks, then a small gap to enjoy the rest of summer and then start at UP in the fall.
ok so if i got into the summer session i would for sure get into UP??
@sehssj no one on this website can tell you in you’re “for sure” getting in.
If you get into the summer session, yes, you are in for UP as long as you attend for the summer
You’re not getting into UP without DUS/Summer session. With summer session, you MIGHT have a shot at getting into UP. If you’re admitted for summer session, you’re in at UP. However, you’re already borderline to get into a branch campus (GPA is 2/3 of the decision, and 2.9-3.4 = branch campus, 2.9 and below is often denied or small open-access branch like Abington or Greater Allegheny.)
that’s not what I’m asking… i’m asking if i get into the UP summer program if that automatically means I’m in UP for fall or if it could also mean i’d be in an alternative branch?
Summer session and UP go hand in hand. Students do not go to the summer session for branch campuses.
From post #14 :
great thank you so much- I think we sent those messages at the same time!
@sehssj Make sure to update us when and where you got in!