<p>Currently a junior in high school. My GPA is like a 3.3 or a 3.4. My ACT and SAT scores are complete trash (below average). I'm trying to get into University Park. </p>
<p>I got some extracurriculars tho. I did cross country freshman year. I work 2 jobs as a desk clerk at a church rectory and an art teacher at an art studio. I might get another job in the near future as a church sacristan. I did volunteer hours for the last two summers at a nursing home. I'm ridiculously amazing at art so I recently got a scholarship at a pre-college program at Carnegie Mellon University this coming summer for art so that should get me some college credits. (Right?) Btw I'm taking AP Studio Art next year, so that kinda looks better on my course list. </p>
<p>Can these things make up for my terrible scores/GPA and get me into University Park? Is there an art department i can apply to at UP so i can get in? or no?</p>
<p>Apply Undecided. That being said, PSU pays very, very little attention to anything other than GPA/SAT/ACT scores. Look at the bubble chart linked in one of the other threads or google PSU admissions bubble chart. It will give you a very good estimate of your chances.</p>
<p>Study for the SAT or the ACT with number2.com (most people need to take the test twice to get decent scores and some take it three times). Do the free online practice tests. Then buy a “real ACT’s” or “real SAT’s” and practice, reviewing every error until you no longer make the error 3 times in a row. If your parents have the means, hire a student from your HS who got high scores and have him/her help you go over your mistakes on practice tests, it’ll make your life much easier and it’ll be money well-invested.
Is your 3.3/3.4 weighted or unweighted?
How many honors/AP’s do you have? What are the most advanced classes you have in English, Science, Foreign Language, and Math?
Do you have AP European history, AP Art History? Have you taken any community college classes in art history - if not, see if you local community college offers an art history class you could take as dual enrollment (see what the conditions are with your HS, sometimes the credits and the grades may count). Tops would be one in the summer to show on your application (work your butt off to get an A, too, since the best predictor of college success is… a good grade in a college class.)
According to the BubbleChart, in order to have a shot at UP with a 3.4, you’d need a 2100 on the SAT.
HOWEVER, if you apply to the School of Visual Arts, or to Arts&Architecture, your portfolio comes into play. As long as your SAT is 1750-1800+, you have a shot with a great portfolio (due October 10 or so).
<a href=“How to Apply - Penn State College of Arts and Architecture”>http://artsandarchitecture.psu.edu/howtoapply</a>
Even with a great portfolio, a 3.4 and low SAT’s/ACT scores are going to hobble you. I agree SOVA is awesome, so in order to increase your odds though, and this even if you bring your SAT scores to 1800, you need to 1° apply between September 1 and October 15 2° indicate you’re willing to do the Summer Session. The earlier you apply, the more lenient they are (that’s the basic principle with Rolling Admissions) and they’re also more lenient for students willing to start right after Senior Year and not take a Summer off. In my opinion, Summer Session is actually great because you really get to know the students with whom you take your classes thus make friends, you get to enjoy the campus in the summer (pool, arts festival), there are only about 12 to 15,000 students on campus so you’re not lost in a crowd but you’re not alone either, and when the regular freshmen come back you already have a hang of things and can be the person they refer to (=more friends) and simply not stress while taking 5 college classes and handling other obligations because you already know that not-fun part of freshman year: you can truly enjoy the Fall, after having a great summer. So that should be easy to indicate on your application.</p>