Hi, I’m currently a senior in high school and I will be applying for Penn State University Park and I want to major in business. These are some of my stats and I was just wondering if anyone knows my chances of getting in! All responses are very helpful!
GPA: 3.8 unweighted 4.3 weighted
ACT: 30 (30 English) (28 Math) (34 Reading) (28 Science)
Extracurriculars: Hospital volunteering, Freshmen mentoring club, National Honors Society, Varsity basketball for 4 years, Community service club
Activities List/Personal Statement: above average
Other possible factors: out of state, white, female
Thank you to whoever responds! I appreciate your input! 
You fall within University Park’s middle 50 in both your GPA and ACT, and being that admission is solely a numbers game at PSU I doubt you will have a problem with admission. The other thing that will make a difference is class rank/AP and honors classes taken if your school does not report rank. GPA and rank are 2/3 of the decision.
Senior in high school
Weighed GPA 4.5/unweighted 4.0
ACT 26 (ugh)
Rank 92/759
13 honors/AP courses
EC: 4 yr varsity soccer starter, 10 yrs club soccer (captain for 5 yrs), NHS, Rho Kappa social
Studies honors society, community counts, relay for life
Out of state
Primary legacy; mother an alum, grandmother on PSU branch campus board, mother on PSU UP board
Major in business
Questions:
- chances of getting in UP?
- Should I apply to Smeal or DUS for highest probability of admission…
PSU is my top choice
You should get into UP no problem. The admission stats for Smeal are very competitive. only 11% of all Smeal applicants were accepted. Many decide to apply DUS for that reason. Of course, many have also applied to Smeal and then if denied, called and asked to be reconsidered for DUS. That often works as well. No one can really tell you which way to go. It’s a risk no matter what, unless you apply DUS directly.
Thank you so much!!! Applied this weekend to Smeal…will likely call tomorrow and switch to DUS to maximize chances…
Is the acceptance rate for Smeal really 11%?? The honors college acceptance rate is 15% so that doesn’t make sense. Are you sure you didn’t divide # enrolled by total applicants instead of # admitted by total applicants?
@class0f2017 Yes, I’m sure. That number was reported to the students this year who started out in Smeal and went for orientation. They were told Smeal direct admits this past year was only 11% of the applicants who applied to Smeal. I believe it was @japsmom that reported that number back to us. The honors college is an entirely different process and application and is based on totally different requirements, the most important of which is NOT GPA. So you could very easily be accepted to Schreyer and not into Smeal and vice versa. One is not at all linked to the other as the basis for admission to either is totally different. The number of enrolled in Smeal at any one time is also different as juniors become Smeal majors. The 11% is freshman direct admit. Also remember, just because one is directly admitted into Smeal does not mean they are “in”. They are considered pre-major and still have to complete the entry to major requirements just as anyone else does. The students who are DUS and want to get into smeal, have to complete the exact same requirements as Smeal Pre Majors.
Smeal is one of the most competitive colleges at PSU, with Engineering and Nursing being at the top of the list as well.
@jlhpsu That’s really interesting. So is it even harder to get into Smeal as a non direct admit? I thought PSU was safety for me but maybe not anymore. I’m applying for business with 4.0 UW/34 ACT and in state which is pretty good for PSU, but that acceptance rate is so low…
@classof2017 At orientation this year, the president of Smeal told us that 8,000 students had applied directly to Smeal and that only 900 were accepted. Your stats look excellent though. My son had same gpa but lower SAT. I think you will be fine.
Chances for PSU UP???
SAT: 1260/1600
GPA: 4.225 weighted, 3.825 unweighted
Rank:70/440
Other stats: 27 ACT
Subjective:
Essays: Pretty good
Teacher Recs:
Counselor Rec:
Hook (if any):
Location/Person:
State or Country:In state, PA
School Type:Public competitive
Ethnicity:
Gender: M
Other Factors: Dad went to PSU and brother is at PSU main right now
General Comments: All my materials were in early September.!
Also Applied to the Division of Undergraduate Studies (So undecided) and would do summer session, if offered.
Also… if you had to guess(I know it’s so random) but when do you think I might hear back?
@jlhpsu ^
@mdb2251 Your stats look good for UP and likely won’t have to do summer.
@class0f2017 Getting into Smeal is the same for direct or indirect majors. That’s what I was trying to say. A ‘direct’ entry major is someone who gets in freshman year. They are considered pre-majors because they still have to meet a ton of entry to major requirements and a GPA requirement (google Smeal Entry to Major requirements) by junior year. An indirect entry is someone who starts off as undecided, then works on the EXACT SAME entry requirements and changes their major junior year. It’s literally the same process. The difference is, getting directly into Smeal is about 11% acceptance and a much higher acceptance to get into UP undecided. If you meet the entry to major requirements, as either undecided or pre major Smeal - you will get into your major. It is not harder to get in as an indirect major. It’s not easier either. The same requirements are for both. The direct admit is very competitive, but no real advantage other than you get a Smeal advisor as far as I know. Your stats are very good though…specifically your ACT. I think you should be ok. If you aren’t, you can call and ask to be reconsidered for undecided and you will get in that way.
@jlhpsu If I apply for Smeal and don’t get in direct, will I still be considered for PSU undecided?
@jhpsu The other difference we noticed is my son has been invited to a ton of Smeal only functions. He’s met professors in his intended major and other meetings and get togethers. In his opinion, he’s really glad he applied directly to Smeal. He even has a student who is his Smeal mentor that he can go to with advice or issues. But, for the kids who’s stats are on the fence, I would apply DUS.
@class0f2017 You aren’t automatically considered. PSU only has a back up option for campus and starting semester. They don’t give you a back up major option. If you apply Smeal and don’t get in, you have to call and ask to be reconsidered. Sometimes they allow it, but I’ve seen where they don’t as well. I think with your stats you should be ok, but no one knows for sure of course.
Chances for psu 2021 UP?
Applied 2nd week of September for biomedical engineering and summer session
SAT: 1760 (math 600, reading 530, writing 630)
GPA: 4.53
Rank: 53/318
lots of ec and 200+ volunteering
Chances for PSU UP?
SAT: 1140/1600
GPA: 3.57
Location/Person:
State or Country:In state, PA
School Type: Public
Other Factors: Dad went to PSU and sister is at Altoona currently
General Comments: Applied middle of October
Also Applied undecided and would do summer session, if offered.
I feel like it is unlikely to get into UO
16: how many honors + AP? Math up to what level? Foreign language up to what level?
Honors: 10 classes
Spanish 4
Math: Calculus
@MYOS1634
Honors: 10 classes
Spanish 4
Math: Up to Calculus