Here are my son’s stats
Major: Business
GPA: 4.05
Honors Classes: 9
AP: 5
SAT: 1400 (680 Reading / 720 Math / 21/24 Essay)
Activities: Football and Basketball
Gender: Male
Has a sibling that is currently at University Park as well.
Wondering if its worth trying for a direct admission to Smeal or just go DUS? Thanks!
In my honest opinion, if there is any question whatsoever, then apply DUS. No one is IN Smeal even if a direct admit. Everyone has to complete the same Entry to Major requirments. Your son could very well get direct admit into Smeal with his scores, but Smeal is also the most competitive college at Penn State. So if you have any question or doubt, I’d advise my child to apply DUS. Perhaps not the same bragging rights and he won’t get a Smeal advisor. But the rest of it is no different and he would be a shoe in for admission in DUS.
Awesome - great advice. Thanks. So basically, even if you are “admitted” to Smeal, if you don’t pass the same classes with a good enough GPA as the DUS people, you don’t get “IN”. Seems like DUS would be the way to go for just about everyone!
Correct. Everyone, whether ‘direct admit’ or change of major, has to complete the same entry to major requirements. So a direct admit to Smeal is actually considered “pre major” status. They will complete the entry requirements and then apply to the major at the end of their sophomore year. DUS students do the same. You can only apply to Smeal from DUS or from Smeal pre major. If you have the GPA and take the classes needed, then you will get into Smeal.