<p>I am a Junior in high school and as of right now I am clueless about what schools I should be applying for. My GPA is a 3.7 and my SAT scores were 1750 Math:600 Reading:610 Writing:540. I live in PA and would like to stay within driving distance. I probably will apply to Pitt and Penn State, but I haven't actually taken any campus tours. I have 6 years of tuition credits payed for at the Penn State level that my dad bought 12 years ago so money isn't that big of a factor for me. I have taken APUSH and scored a 4 and this year I am in AP Music Theory (I probably got a 2 or 3) and AP Euro (will probably score a 3 maybe 4). Next year I'm taking AP stat as well. I go to a highly ranked public school (3rd in the state of PA) so i hope that makes my chances better. I am also looking to major in Finance/Accounting. If you could recommend any schools or guide me in some direction it would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>For Penn State, GPA is 2/3 of the decision and most of the rest depends on your SAT score. According to the “bubble chart”, you need a 1900 to make it into UP. Try to take the June and/or October SAT. Apply as early as you can (September- October) and if you can’t get 1900 indicate you’re willing to attend the summer session* and/or apply DUS.** If you have 1900 + DUS + summer session = you’re sure to get in.</p>
<p>Considering tuition and fees for in state used to be about $8,000 in 2002 and are now $17,000, your dad must be very glad he bought these prepaid tuition credits back then!</p>
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<li>in my opinion, unless you planned on working during the summer, it’s actually a plus: you get to take 2 classes with a coordinated “cohort” group so you get a head start, you make friends quickly, there are only about 2,000 freshmen instead of 10,000 so you’re not lost in a crowd, there are festivals and activities that you can enjoy but not be overwhelmed with like when all 45,000 students are there and you’re taking 5 classes, you get to discover the campus before everyone else so when the Fall starts you’re “in the know” 
** if you’re aiming for Smeal, being DUS is no different from those who indicated Smeal on their application: you take the same classes and have the same requirements to get into Smeal and your chosen major, which are very doable provided you’re serious about your work. But it makes for easier admissions.</li>
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<p>""have 6 years of tuition credits payed for at the Penn State level that my dad bought 12 years ago so money isn’t that big of a factor for me. “”</p>
<p>How can those be used at other schools? Private schools and OOS publics are more expensive. For example, while PSU’s tuition may be 17k per year, a private’s tuition may be $40k per year.</p>
<p>Has your dad said that he will pay the difference at other schools? </p>
<p>In addition, you have to pay about $15k per year for room and board. Ask your dad about that as well.</p>
<p>^I took “money is not a big concern” to apply only to Penn State = ie., if the other schools don’t work out financially, OP has Penn State to fall back on, which is why I focused on explaining how s/he can sure to get into Penn State (apply early Fall + DUS + summer session).</p>
<p>I’m not sure if this student can depend on the main PSU to be a fall-back because of his test scores. also we dont know if dad is prepared to pay for room and board.</p>
<p>Penn State (Smeal) - this is anecdotal but our friend’s daughter attends Main Campus and finishing her soph year now. She was not a direct admit to Smeal and is finding admission to that college as a junior is Very Difficult. Apparently, it is based on space available. The requirement this year to enter Smeal for Finance was a cummulative GPA of 3.85 and 3.80 for Accounting. She had ~3.5 and got into Smeal but not for Finance or Acctg. Double check my info but I’d be very dissapointed to attend for 2 years with a 3.5 and be denied admission to my college and major of choice.</p>
<p>^pardullet: the way I understand it, even “direct admits” (those admitted to Smeal as freshmen) but not to their major, and must meet specific grade requirements in order to get it. Majors have varifying requirements in terms of mandatory classes and grades.</p>
<p>1900 should be sufficient for UP if OP applies early (sept-october). Adding summer session and/or DUS would basically guarantee admission at that point. The further from October and riskier that admission gets. Applying in January would make things very difficult. </p>
<p>Thanks for your advice. I am signed up to take the June SATs so hopefully I’ll improve. Hypothetically tho, lets say I don’t improve my scores and am stuck with the same scores I have now. What other colleges should I consider?</p>
<p>Yo that Music Theory test, though. I’m still singing the Tibetan folk song.</p>
<p>If you’re female and you can get that SAT score up, maybe Bryn Mawr?</p>
<p>Just kidding, didn’t read the hypothetical you just posted until now. Try really hard on those SATs! Also maybe try out the ACT, some people just have better luck on that.</p>
<p>Can you explain what having ‘tuition credits paid for’ means? Is that for any college or are there restrictions?</p>
<p>I dunno how great Bryn Mawr is for business…I would recommend F&M as a low reach (Match if you get your SATs up). They have a very good undergraduate business program. </p>
<p>I am a Male, so that wouldn’t work for me. And that folk song hahahah. Let’s assume for now that the credits can be applied anywhere.</p>
<p>err, “tuition credits” are typically for a college or a state university system. Check with your dad and see with him exactly what he’s bought and what it means. Also, would your dad/mother /? be willing to pay for R&B?</p>
<p>Let’s not assume that the credits can be used anywhere…that could lead to huge disappointment and lots of wasted time.</p>
<p>have your dad look up the facts. there probably is a website. what is the name of what he purchased.</p>
<p>Its the PA 529 (GSP)</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.pa529.com/faqs/about-your-529-plan/eligible-educational-institutions/”>http://www.pa529.com/faqs/about-your-529-plan/eligible-educational-institutions/</a></p>
<p>It pretty much says all schools</p>
<p>And my room and board would be covered</p>
<p>Well, it looks like you’re set financially indeed. Good news 
You can’t imagine how many kids post here saying “don’t worry about finances” when they really, really should.</p>
<p>So now you have to get into college, right? Penn State with a 1900 + Summer Session or DUS + Sept/Oct application date should be a safety. Apply early to Pitt, too, and with a 1900 you should get in.
With that in hand, you’ll go into the application cycle knowing that whatever happens, you’re going to college.</p>
<p>Excellent colleges in Pennsylvania include Dickinson, Villanova, and Muhlenberg. Look into American University and Fordham as other reaches.
Penn State and Pitt would be your best matches. Also, TCNJ but only if you don’t want huge schools such as PSU and Pitt.
UScranton, Goucher and McDaniel would be safeties. </p>