<p>4.0 gpa is below their average. There's not much EC's there. Yes, you have some here and there but there really isn't anything attractive. I wouldn't consider this a safety with those stats.</p>
<p>How is 4.0 below average, all the sites ive seen show it lower. And they say that all psu looks at is grades and tests not ecs. I just dont see how 4.0 can be below average when thats as high as it gets UW, it doesnt make sense.</p>
<p>Their average gpa is above 4.0. Their website has 3.95-4.33 for the middle 50% of students. Yes, for grades and test scores is all PSU look at but that is only true for regular admission. The honors college requires high gpa/scores along with amazing essays and meaningful EC's.</p>
<p>Eagle Scout is impressive, especially if your project is impressive. It takes alot of time and dedication to go all the way through the scouting ranks. This could be advantageous for admissions to SHC.</p>
<p>Also, is your GPA weighted or unweighted? If it is unweighted, be sure to have a weighted GPA submitted.</p>
<p>it is unweighted, they only weight for calculating the class rank.</p>
<p>About SHC, I'm not sure whether i want to apply to this or not becuase first of all I'm too lazy to write 3 essays and I'm not sure of its benefits apart from scholarship, small classes, own dorms. Like what advantage does it give me after college. I also dont want to feel separtated from the rest of Penn State.</p>
<p>I can't give you much info. S (now a junior) applied but did not get in. The nice thing about SHC is being able to schedule early and having your pick of classes and sections.</p>
<p>I know there are a couple of other parents on this board whose kids got in. Maybe they will give you some info.</p>
<p>mcubed - I think the potential for 15K in scholarships (4 years) is worth the effort. Beyond that, you get guaranteed housing for all four years in a nice dorm (protects against getting stuck in "supp housing" with four other students). The classes offered by the honors college are usually very good. The connections you make with other students and staff can be very helpful. The advising is better - more personalized. You get study abroad grants. And, NO, you don't need to feel separated from the rest of Penn State. Some SHC students bond with the SHC community, stay in the honors dorm for a few years and participate in many of the social events. They do still mix with other Penn Staters. Others, like my son, have a few friends in the honors college, but generally do not participate in the social events. Most of his friends our outside the college. He usually takes two honors courses each semester and does take part in some of the professional networking events. He also studied abroad (with a small grant) and is getting started on his thesis.<br>
It's a good program - and it's worth a shot. VERY hard to get into though...and getting harder.</p>
<p>toneranger,
My son was accepted to SHC a few years ago, but attended elsewhere. Now my daughter, a hs junior, has some interest in it. I really am not certain what it was that got my son accepted. Do you have any current insight on this matter since you now have a son attending SHC and undoubtedly know other students' profiles? What do they look for? What does it take to get accepted to the honors college?
Thanks!</p>
<p>lkf: I would say that, since it's a holistic process, it's very difficult to predict. Essays and ECs are very important. My sense is that it's harder to get in than a few years ago - applications have gone up. A few very strong students from our community have been rejected in the last few years - some of them have gone on to schools like Johns Hopkins and Cornell. In any case it's worth a shot, and my only recommendation would be make sure your d spends some time on those essays. Good luck!</p>
<p>Just a warning not to get your hopes up...I have a friend whose GPA was 4.0, maybe higher (not sure about AP's or honors), and was an eagle scout by the time he applied (applied for nursing), and got deferred to a branch campus. Everyone was stunned that he didn't get in.</p>