<p>GPA: 4.3
Rank: 14/almost 400 students top 5%
SAT:
M: 540
CR:520
W: 540
Plan to take again in Nov.</p>
<p>I know my SAT is low and it really bothers me because I work my butt off, but I just can't score great on that test
WHAT DO MY CHANCES LOOK LIKE?</p>
<p>I’d definitely try to bring up your SAT. Unfortunately, Penn State doesn’t super score, they take the single highest test date, so hopefully you can improve in all areas in November. </p>
<p>The good thing is, your gpa counts for 2/3 of the admission decision. From what my son’s guidance counselor told us last year, they next look at SAT, then class rank, activities, etc. The following bubble graph is suppose to give you an idea of your admissibility to University Park. I’d caution you not to take this as gospel though. Last year, when my son applied to Penn State, he fell well within the “blue bubble” (which supposedly means you are “very Likely” to be admitted to University Park). His weighted GPA was 4.17/SAT 1940, and he was initially rejected at University Park for fall 2011. When we called to inquire, because we were so shocked, they immediately offered him admission for Summer 2011. When my son filled out their application, he did not check off the summer session because we were really confident he’d be admitted. So, if you’d be willing to give up your summer to go to PSU, I’d definitely check that box. </p>
<p><a href=“http://admissions.psu.edu/info/counselors/bubble_chart.pdf[/url]”>http://admissions.psu.edu/info/counselors/bubble_chart.pdf</a> </p>
<p>Good luck - I hope it works out.</p>
<p>@Traye - did he apply late…because with those stats, he should have been admitted.</p>
<p>He applied in October, and the admission is supposedly rolling. I guess there are people who apply earlier, but we didn’t think October was necessarily late.</p>
<p>We were absolutely flabbergasted when he was initially turned down, and so was his guidance counselor. He also had a very rigorous high school curriculum. He had way more than the required, and even recommended units of everything. It is still a mystery to us! I saw many acceptance posts on CC last year with stat’s that were considerably lower than his, and were still accepted for fall. </p>
<p>Luckily PSU wasn’t his first choice, and he had already been accepted to the college that, at the time, was his first choice. Even though PSU accepted him for summer, it was a blow to his ego!</p>
<p>TRAYE- did you son apply for engineering or business? Because I think that admissions are more competitive for engineering and business. Where did your son end up attending?</p>
<p>pamom59 - He applied to DUS (Division of Undergraduate Studies). It was suggested by his Guidance Counselor to go that route since Engineering is highly competitive, and my son wasn’t 100% sure at the time if he wanted to go the engineering route. From DUS, you can try out any major you want in any of the colleges, and then transfer directly into the major that you choose, and still graduate on time.</p>
<p>It’s been suggested since then that DUS might be more difficult to gain acceptance into than say, applying Undecided to the College of Arts & Science. Since, as long as any pre-requisites have been satisfied, a DUS student can pick from any of the colleges. I don’t know if that’s actually the case , but I guess it’s something to consider.</p>
<p>My son is now a freshman at the University of Delaware studying Chemical Engineering. He ruled out Penn State for several reasons, first being the campus was just too big for him, he felt completely lost. Then, when decision time rolled around in late April, he had settled on studying Chemical Engineering, and Delaware actually has a better program than Penn State in that particular engineering discipline. Lastly, though he won’t admit it, turns out he wasn’t willing to give up his senior year summer after all.</p>
<p>well- that is surprising to say the least, but its hard to tell how PSU admissions work. My D was accepted to DUS, fall, main campus loast year and her SAT was only a little higher (1960) but her curriculum was very strong.</p>
<p>pamom59 - Do you mind me asking when your D applied and what major?</p>
<p>She applied in early September and all her supporting materials (scores and transcripts) were in by mid-September for DUS (undecided major)</p>
<p>She applied in early September and all her supporting materials (scores and transcripts) were in by mid-September for DUS (undecided major)</p>
<p>That is interesting. ^^^ Identical posts by rocknroll52 and pamom59.</p>