<p>Needless to say, my first 3 years sucked. I am, though, fully committed to doing very well my last year, and hopefully the colleges will take notice to my upward trend. I've had some emotional/family problems that greatly attributed to my bad performance, so I'll probably attach that to my application as well. Here are my stats and schools:</p>
<p>White kid living in Northeastern Pennsylvania</p>
<p>GPA: 2.4-2.5
SAT's (taking again on the earliest date possible):
Math- 530
Critical Reading- 500
Writing- 560 (Essay: 9, Multiple Choice: 52)</p>
<p>EC's</p>
<p>Basketball (9th grade team, JV 11th, Varsity 12th)
Homeroom representative for student council (10th, 11th)
FBLA (12th)
A job from this summer through the summer after I graduate, also currently babysitting on weekends</p>
<p>College List (in order of interest):</p>
<p>Towson
Millersville
Shippensburg
Monmouth
Tennessee-Knoxville
La Salle</p>
<p>I am also looking at branch campuses at Penn State. Most of my friends will probably be going to Penn State-University Park, but I don't think my grades are good enough to get accepted there right away. I was thinking about going to Penn State-Harrisburg for a year and working like crazy, then transferring and meeting up with my friends for the remaining three. If anyone could give me some advice on that, or just thoughts about PSU branch campuses in general, that'd be great. Thanks.</p>
<p>Towson--Slight Reach
Millersville--Match
Shippensburg--Match
Monmouth--Match to Slight Reach
Tennessee-Knoxville--Reach
La Salle--Match</p>
<p>Penn State--Harrisburg--Safe Match to Match</p>
<p>I would also consider Penn State--Erie (where you are match to slight reach) and then transferring also, since this is probably the best Penn State campus besides the one at University Park.</p>
<p>Personally, I think going to a Penn State branch like Harrisburg or Erie, working like crazy (like you said) and then transferring to Penn State University Park is a great choice for you. </p>
<p>But I should also point out that I think you've picked an excellent group of schools based upon your statistics and interests (and location). Any of these would probably work well for you. I suggest you apply to all eight schools listed here--and then visit all of the schools you get accepted to and attend the one that you like best and that fits in your budget.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, that's very helpful stuff. I just recently started considering the Penn State option, mainly because all my friends that will be going there, the "close yet far" factor (I want to get away from my home town, but not ridiculously far), and the business program at University Park, which is the major I'd like to get into.</p>
<p>Another question actually....Is transferring after just one year plausible, or will I have to go two years? This would affect my decision a little bit and sway me more towards Towson/Millersville/Ship.</p>
<p>Well, I estimate you'll need about a 3.3 at the Penn State branch campuses to transfer to University Park, but it's certainly doable, and you have your friends and Penn State University Park's great business program to motivate you. Best of success to you.</p>
<p>P.S. Make sure you pick a Penn State campus that offers the major you want. Here are two links you will need to look at:</p>
<p>Generally, you cannot apply to University Park from a Penn State campus until after you have finished two years at the branch campus. However, the Smeal School of Business at Penn State University Park is the exception to this. </p>
<p>For Smeal, you must apply at the end of your first year--they will not accept you once you have three semesters or more of work--then you have to apply for a different major. </p>
<p>You should probably contact Penn State University Park (and the Smeal School of Business) and ask them about the rules for applying from a Penn State branch campus (and the other schools for that matter) just so you can confirm this and some other strange rules they may or may not have. Do this prior to deciding which school you will attend after high school graduation.</p>
<p>Also, there are certain classes you must take in order to transfer. Among these are English composition or public speaking and a math class (either advanced algebra or calculus). This means you should take an advanced math class as a senior in high school also probably. That way you will be ready (and do well) in the college class.</p>