<p>D is a junior with the following stats: highly regarded Catholic HS in NJ, GPA 3.98 weighted... HS does not calculate unweighted), SAT taken twice, highest sitting 1710 (500 CR, 610 M, W 600), lots of EC's (NHS, school ambassador, 3 year varsity soccer, Black Belt,...), community service and work full time in summer.. Legacy (other daughter attending PSU MAIN-Smeal). D is taking SAT again to try to bring up the CR score... At this point, what are her chances for Penn State Main? Should she apply for Smeal?</p>
<p>If I were you I would not apply directly as a declared business major, but rather undecided. Theres other threads on here about applying DUS, but essentially you have the same opportunity as kids admitted directly into business and get to take the same entrance to major classes as they do as well. That SAT score is likely not high enough to be admitted directly to Smeal. The cool thing about DUS is they help you explore other options too in case you end up like me, who tried a few business classes and decided I didn’t really like it</p>
<p>Great advice! Thank you so much! I was thinking that way too… She’s not really sure anyway if business is the way to go… Just thought if she did get into Smeal it would be easier than trying to get in later… But not really because everyone’s held to the same standards, right? What are you interested in now if you don’t mind me asking…</p>
<p>If you are admitted into Smeal you are a BA (undecided) major, or basically business undeclared. You get assigned a smeal advisor and they basically just tell you what to take from the smeal track to get into the major. Everyone regardless if they’re DUS or smeal has to take the same classes to get into a smeal major, and has to have the same GPA. If you’re a DUS student and meet the same GPA and class requirements as those directly admitted, you’re guaranteed entry to the major of your choice. </p>
<p>Smeal is very corporation based, so if you dont like the idea of working for a large corporation in an office all day, you might feel a bit lost. I’ve always wanted to pursue something athletics related as my career, and found our RPTM major with a business minor is more suited for that. Not to mention myself being a student manager for a varsity sport here ties in nicely with the major as well. </p>
<p>Again, thank you for your advice and best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Ummm. I don’t quite agree. Smeal is a very competitive school. Yes, those in Smeal have to make the same GPA requirements that those who are requesting transfer into Smeal from DUS, in order to move on with their major, BUT the crucial point is that those already in Smeal are all set to go if they have that GPA and do what is needed. If you are applying to transfer into Smeal, there is a space available thing going on here, and even if you have that major, there is no guarantee that you will get a spot. You might want to ask what percent of eligible (By GPA and courses taken)DUS majors were accepted in to Smeal last year. So you can get shut out even having the required GPA, having taken the required courses as there is a selection process here. Then you can’t continue with the major specific courses at Smeal if you don’t make that crucial transfer. </p>
<p>It’s a piece of cake, automatic to go from Smeal to DUS. It is not a given, the other way around and will depend upon the number of seats available and what your priority is based on actual gpa and possibly other factors as to whether the transfer is a go or not. So you trade the greater chance of acceptance to DUS over Smeal at the onset, over the possibility of getting shut out from Smeal as a major transfer.</p>
<p>I suggest applying as early as possible to PSU with Smeal as first choice and DUS as a second choice. If you don’t make the Smeal cut, you will then likely to be accepted to DUS and then can try to transfer to Smeal.</p>
<p>I also suggest working on getting that SAT up, or taking the ACT to see if that test score part of the application can’t be enhanced. THat’s the biggest impediment right now to Smeal acceptance. I think PSU is a go with those numbers, but Smeal is questionable.</p>
<p>I think I know what i’m talking about, beings I’m student who was in the situation. My advisor is the head DUS advisor dealing with business related interest kids. The deal the DUS department tells you is it doesn’t matter what “space” requirement the university lists, if you’re a DUS student and meet the GPA and class requirement, you get in, period. </p>
<p>@cptofthehouse: thank you for sharing your view on my concerns. I have heard that there is a “selection process” as well, for DUS students wanting to transfer into Smeal, with limited spots, etc…but I am truly not sure what is the actual case. I would have to get definite clarification on this. In the meantime, we are working on improving the SAT score and she did take the ACT but have not yet received the score. Fingers crossed. BTW, I didn’t know that there was a second choice major option on the application… Thought if she applied to Smeal as Business Undeclared and didn’t get in, she didn’t get into Penn State… Then I thought I’d have to call for reconsideration for acceptance into DUS??? How risky is that? Might be worth it though if her scores improve and she increases her chances…ugh.</p>
<p>@etuck24: from your personal experience with DUS, I am hopeful that if accepted and we go that route, my D will also have a smooth transition into her declared major, whether it be in Smeal or something else. Thanks again for your input!</p>