CLASS OF 2021: Chances of Getting In? (Brutal honesty is appreciated/encouraged)

Your odds are quite good for UP :), I’d say 60% at least, because you applied DUS and summer session, have decent course rigor for that (math up to calc and foreign language up to 4 definitely help), and your GPA is well within range.

Thankyou so much!

I feel good about my son’s chances but would love to hear from folks who might know better:

Applying to Eberly - Astronomy and Astrophysics
ACT 34 (36 on STEM subjects)
GPA 3.7 weighted (92.49 average)

Out of State

Attends a well-regarded public high school known for rigorous academics
High School Major: Physics
School does not offer Honors classes
He has taken 4 AP courses
Math up to, but not including, calculus
Spanish 3

Resume is not stellar but does include 3 years of Varsity baseball and some summer internships
Essay was solid but doubt it will be a deciding factor one way or the other

Thanks in advance.

Yes, he’s in. However I’d advise he study calculus with Khan academy through the summer. Most students who do well in 140 have already taken calculus in some form (not always AP).

Thanks @MYOS1634. I really hope he ends up at PSU. i think it’s perfect for him.

And I tried to get him to add calculus, but did he listen?!

@DadinNYC As @MYOS1634 stated above, calculus is extremely difficult at PSU, especially in Eberly. My brother is a senior majoring in biotechnology, 31 ACT and 3.7 HS GPA, got into UP pretty easily. However, he ended up failing Calc 140 and had to take it at a branch campus over the summer because he struggled so much after only taking AP Stat in HS instead of Calculus AB. If possible, have your son use Khan Academy to give him some background knowledge. They expect at least some Calculus background. Calc 140 and Chem 110 are the weed-out courses for most science majors at PSU, so he needs to make sure he has a solid background in both, as they will be his toughest courses his first year. Best of luck to your son!

Chances for PSU 2021 CIVIL ENGINEERING?
Haven’t applied yet.
SAT - 1310 (680 Math, 630 EBRW)
CGPA - 9.2/10 (AISSCE Xth Standard, India)
Good essay
Great ECs
Indian
Male

Date Applied: 10/11/2016
Unweighted GPA: 3.4 out of 4
Weighted GPA:4.0 out of 5
SAT: 1120
ACT: 26
State Of Residence: New Jersey
Male / Female: Male
Term: Fall 2017
Class rank: 30th Percentile
AP’s: AP Eng Lang, AP Psych, AP Calc BC, AP Bio
Extra Curriculars:
Varsity Swimming all 4 years (Captain 11 and 12th Grade)
Year Round Club Swimmer (6 years)
Volunteer Emergency Medical Technician since 10th Grade (State Certified)
Microbiology Student Scholar
Lifeguard and Swim Instructor (Year Round)
Senior Schedule: AP Bio, Synthetic Bio and Microbio, English Honors, AP Calc BC, AP Psych
Is UF your first choice? 3rd Choice
Other schools you applied for: UNC @ CH, UMD, Rutgers, UF, Pitt
Major/Field of Study: Biomedical Engineering
Comments: African American applicant super scared as an OOS applying for engineering!! I am extremely confident in my essay but rejection is totally possible!

Chance for college of earth and mineral sciences

Applied: Oct 16th
UW: 3.35 (Upward trend, 3.85 senior year)
W: 3.6
SAT: 1320
OOS (NY)
Female
Fall 2017
Class Rank: idk
APs: 13 throughout HS; 12 college credits
EC: Field Hockey Club and Varsity, all-state first team, went to states
Ski Racing since I was 6yo, nationally ranked, club and high school
5 Clubs through high school
Volunteering through church and sports coach
Senior Schedule: AP Physics, Calculus through Syracuse University(4 credits), Engineering Design and Development, English Critical Thinking, AP Macroeconomics, CEIP (Internship Program)

@jlhpsu Can you explain what exactly is a “direct admit?” As mentioned in another thread, no one is “in Smeal” until they’ve completed pre-business courses and maintained a certain GPA. Does direct admit basically mean you’re guaranteed a spot in Smeal assuming you meet the requirements stated?

@nchen17 Direct Admit means only that you got into Smeal as a freshmen. Otherwise, I believe everything is the same. Meaning, the DUS students that have the scores and classes to get in are on even footing with those who got in as a freshman and have to complete the same requirements. There are no guarantees for either. But my understanding is if you have the scores and the classes, you get in. The reason the GPA requirements are so high is because it’s a controlled major so in this way they keep room for those who obtain those grades, because many (in Smeal and in DUS) won’t. A 3.5 GPA for finance is difficult to obtain. Not impossible, but lots of hard work.

The only benefit I’ve seen in getting into Smeal as a freshmen is that you get invited to Smeal only events within the business school as a freshman and sophomore. And you get a Smeal advisor - but even that is a small benefit as the DUS advisors certainly can advise on Smeal requirements.

@nchen17 You can be a direct admit to Smeal as an incoming freshman. You just can’t be a direct admit to a Smeal major. You come in as a pre-major.

PSU does have a few direct admit majors, such as golf management, architecture, and nursing. But no direct majors within Smeal.

Chances for UP? 1180 SAT, 4.0 GPA, many EC’s and a part time job. Honor society and DECA member