Chances as a music major

<p>Hi! So I applied to Penn State as a music education major in early October, and I'm not sure of a few things. First, my stats aren't bad but they aren't great- GPA-3.71 Weighted-3.89 SAT- Math 490/Critical Reading 610/Writing 640 (total 1740). I also checked off that I would start in the summer.</p>

<p>What I was concerned about was that my major is not at any of the branch campuses, so I wasn't sure if that would help improve my chances of being accepted into main, considering I can't go anywhere else at Penn State. I scheduled an audition so hopefully everything goes well. I would appreciate any feedback!:D</p>

<p>That looks pretty good to me. You'll get in summer.</p>

<p>Carolyn, when my S attended the Music Open House in October, he was told that the acceptance stats to get into the School of Music are lower than for other schools at PSU - that what weighs the most in admissions into the SoM is the outcome of your audition. So admissions may say you're "in," but if the School of Music decides from your audition that you don't meet their standards, then you're "out," at least from music. We were told that if that happens, sometimes admissions will suggest another "major" for you to choose from, but we didn't really follow up on that :-~ I think that's when your stats would then have to be meet the requirements for general admission to PSU. Hope this helps!</p>

<p>To state it more clearly, it seems to me you would likely get an admit to PSU but contingent upon acceptance to the School of Music. We were also told some students find out at their audition whether or not the School of Music wants them (which means acceptance into PSU). Otherwise, the SoM sends their decisions to admissions around the beginning of March (after all the auditions are finished) and admissions notifies the applicants by mid-March. When is your audition?</p>

<p>My audition is February 7th. I'm auditioning on voice, but I also play piano so I'm not sure if I'll have to audition on that as well. It's weird though, I always thought you had to be accepted at the school first, and THEN schedule an audition...</p>

<p>Nope, you just have to apply first. If for some reason PSU determines your stats are not enough to warrant admission into the Music Program, then you're audition is cancelled. Here's what it says on the Music website:</p>

<p>"Apply to the University for academic admission. Penn State offers academic acceptance based on a differential equation comprised of high school GPA, SAT score, and class rank. Academic admission requirements vary widely across the University depending on the College and the individual schools and departments within the colleges.</p>

<p>After submitting a university application, schedule an audition with the School of Music.... Applicants who are not academically qualified for entrance to the University will have their
audition cancelled."</p>

<p>If you've signed up to audition for voice, then I wouldn't think you'd audition for piano, though there is the piano placement "test." Good luck!</p>