I am a rising high school senior in Richmond, Virginia, and I want to know what my chances of getting into Penn State- Main Campus (University Park/State College) for the 2016 fall semester are.
GPA: 3.8 unweighted, 5.0 weighted
SAT: 1760 Total- 680 Math, 570 Writing, 510 Critical Reading (this is my first and only SAT, I will be retesting in the fall)
Classes Taken: IB Biology SL, IB History HL, IB English HL, IBMYP Trigonometry, IBMYP French 4, IB Psychology SL, IB Theory of Knowledge 1 (so all IB classes).
I am an IB Diploma candidate
Intended Major: Either French or Secondary Education with a minor in Sports Management
Extracurriculars: Varsity Cross-Country, Varsity Track, President of school’s French Honors Society, Statistician for high school football and men’s basketball teams
Volunteer Service: Volunteered at Miracle League Baseball games (baseball for children with special needs), Volunteered with Project Homes (a non-profit organization that provides yardwork service for the elderly).
Employment: Statistician for STATVA, a company that provides statistics for high school teams in the Richmond area. I have worked for this company since November 2012.
What are my chances of getting into Penn State-University Park?
Does your school operate on the 4.0 scale?
We use the 4-point scale, but my transcript provides a weighted GPA of 5.0 (it’s a weird system). My unweighted GPA is 3.8.
Apply to PSU as soon as the applications are valid and you should get in
Predict Results- http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1787321-predict-results.html#latest
If your SAT score goes up by a good chunk, you’d have a great shot. As-is, your CR is below the 25th percentile. (M slightly above 75th, W in middle 50%.)
http://www.budget.psu.edu/CDSRedesign/cds.aspx?reportindicator=FreshAdmn&Location=UP&AY=20142015
Penn State isn’t that hard to get into, your application seems relatively strong for there. Good luck!
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http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1787582-chances-ill-chance-back.html#latest
You would spend over 55k a year for Penn State when you have JMU and VT? If you can add some points W&M might even workout.
You should look to be above of average on the SAT to increase your chances. Your GPA is good. Can you afford it?
@Jr12317- I can afford to go to Penn State, but I will be applying for scholarships and merit-based financial aid via FAFSA.
Yeah, that’s good. You don’t want a big debt. If you want scholarships and merit based aid, then you need to increas your SAT definitely. Good luck!
Increase your SAT score to above an 1800 and apply by the priority deadline and you will have a good chance.
There’s no merit aid. FAFSA doesn’t offer financial aid, it only files your application for a loan ($5,500).
Apply on September 1st, indicating you want to major in French and want to do Paterno Scholars. It’ll be a good push for your application.
Your chances are excellent because Penn State factors in your GPA for 2/3 of the decision, because from your current score to 1800 it shouldn’t be a problem, because applying on Sept 1st and absolutely before Nov 1st gives you a little advantage, and because you’re applying for a less-represented major plus would indicate you want to “take up the challenge” for Paterno Scholars (which gives you access to some Schreyer classes and if you complete them satisfactorily, gets you into Schreyer.)
^ yes essentially there aren’t any automatic scholarships, the provost award is awarded randomly, and Penn state is lousy with wither need based aid dor in-state students and any aid for OOS. If your parents don’t have 40k you’re out of luck.
I think you are in… Average at my school is 3.6( same scale as yours) and around a 1700. Most kids get accepted unless you are applying to a specific major/school i.e business.
You will definitely get in. I just finished my freshman year at Penn State, I was in state and my stats were a bit higher than yours, but you are IB, have an ok SAT score, a good GPA, hard courses, good EC’s/jobs, and neither of your majors is competitive at PSU. My roommate got in with lower scores than you and easier classes from South Carolina. You’re set. I’ve seen people with much lower scores get in with and without summer session; it isn’t really that hard to get into PSU if I’m being honest with you. I’m actually transferring, but I’m sure you will love it if you decide to go there. Good luck!
Why are you transferring ? Might be useful to op.