<p>I'm an African American male from SoCal living in a single-parent, low income household. I will be a senior in the fall.</p>
<p>I plan on majoring in business.</p>
<p>Stats:
- Cumulative GPA: 3.44 (RL issues freshman and sophomore year; I'll elaborate on my applications. Everyone says I have "a story to tell." Junior year GPA: 3.64) Senior year GPA will hopefully be a 3.8-4.2. School doesn't rank percentage-wise.
- ACT: 30
- 4 honors courses and 1 AP course - all math classes; taking Honors Precalculus and AP Statistics for senior year. I've taken Public Speaking and Spanish III at my local Community College and earned A's in both; taking Introduction to Business this summer.
- I've been a professional actor with an agent since I was 5 1/2 months old. Since then I've established a pretty long resume and been in numerous TV shows, commercials, billboards, print ads, etc. I have an agent and am currently on the IMDB website.
- Starting a non-profit organization for lung cancer patients who don't receive the right treatment due to not having medical insurance (in memory of my favorite aunt).
- I'm in NHS and CSF.
- I've been part of a Church youth group since I was about 3 that goes out to witness to the homeless and people in poverty-stricken communities.
- I've been in a ton of church plays and musicals.
- Will have great essays and recommendations.
- If it helps to create any sort of diversity, I will major in Finance and minor in Acting.</p>
<p>Does geographic location help as well?</p>
<p>Also, what's the second most popular Penn State campus? I'm only interested in University Park, but the common application requires our top 2 choices.</p>
<p>Altoona is an hour away from University Park and has dorms.</p>
<p>Alright. Is that the second most popular campus (other than University Park)?
And do you think I have any chance at getting accepted into the University Park campus?</p>
<p>I don’t know how a 30 ACT equates with the SAT, but if you get your GPA up, that would probably help. The kids from my high school that got in this year had very good SAT’s and high GPA’s.<br>
Not all campuses have dorms, and I believe Altoona is the largest branch campus. Its proximity to State College makes it appealing.</p>
<p>Does Penn State not at all consider ECs or geographic location?</p>
<p>From the Penn State website:</p>
<p>“The high school grade-point average (GPA) accounts for approximately two-thirds of the decision. The remaining one-third is based on other factors, which may include standardized test scores, class rank, personal statement and activities list.”</p>
<p>Hmm. A friend of mine from a SoCal high school got in with a 3.1 GPA. Not into the main campus, mind you, but a Penn State campus, nonetheless.
His mom told my mom that he didn’t do anything out of the ordinary as far as ECs.</p>
<p>The satellite campuses aren’t really anything like Main Campus though.</p>
<p>I know, sasquatch219. I wouldn’t even apply to a secondary campus if the application didn’t require applying to two campuses.</p>
<p>Any other opinions? 
The more, the better.</p>
<p>It is not difficult to get into a branch.</p>
<p>I’m not really interested in a branch.</p>
<p>Most of us aren’t. :)</p>
<p>Haha. So what do you think my chances are of getting into University Park?</p>
<p>If you can get your GPA up to 4.0, you’re probably good. Have you looked at the bubble chart? You can find it on the PSU website.
And since we’re friends now, will you chance me back? :)</p>
<p>Haha. How am I supposed to get my GPA to a 4.0? I’m about to start my first semester of senior year.</p>
<p>You have a very good chance of getting into UP with your ACT and the upward trend in your grades. Try to apply as soon as possible.</p>
<p>I think you will be fine for PSU UP.</p>
<p>A ACT of 30 is roughly a 1350 on the SAT according to CollegeBoard. GPA is decent and would most likely be compensated by the ACT and unique ECs</p>
<p>How is PSU with financial aid?</p>