Colleges for an average student

College Search & Selection
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<p>Penn State main campus is a definite reach - if you look at the website, GPA and SATs are quite high for main campus. My S has 3.1 unweighted average and 1380 SAT, applied in August (since they have rolling admissions) and we're doubtful whether he'll get in. If you want to apply, do it soon since they have rolling admissions and later applicants are less likely to get in. Recommendations make little/no difference for regular admission. </p>

<p>Ohio University at Athens - You could probably get in here. My daughter was accepted 3 years ago with a 3.0-ish GPA and 1110 SAT. My niece went to school there and all think that she got a good education. The campus is very pretty, and Athens has nice coffee shops, etc, BUT it is a long drive (we live outside of Phila) and the closest airport is in Columbus - an hour or more away from the campus. It's also known to be a big party school, but my niece managed to get through unscathed and with many good friends. Her husband is involved with the campus security force and we hear some wild tales..</p>

<p>I agree with a previous poster, it would be very difficult/impossible to claim residency in a state after attending school there for one year. You would have to be independent from your parents and have a permanent in-state address, at the least.</p>

22

<p>Remember to look for safeties, too. Here are some PA schools that are in about the same price range as RU - you may even qualify for merit $ at some: York College of PA, Millersville U, Kutztown U, Shippensburg U, West Chester U.</p>

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<p>Posts 20-22, are all good points/suggestions. I just wanted to add that from our hs, students with B averages and decent SAT scores were accepted to Penn State, BUT not on the main campus. They have other smaller campuses, and you could stay 4 years (at some of them), or transfer to the main campus at some point (don't know what qualifications are needed). reasonwhy, your son has a chance, but from our hs, even with the 1380, with an uw 3.1, he would probably have been placed on a smaller campus.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the great info, I seriously did not know about the out of state tuition issue until you guys told me. Would living in an apartment be considered as permanent instate address?</p>

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<p>coolkidd123, No, living off campus doesn't matter. Generally, residency is determined by where you went to HS and where your parents work and PAY TAXES since the taxes help subsidize the instate tuition. Even when parents move, there are often restrictions (like must live instate for 12 months).</p>