<p>I'm applying to Penn State and I've heard great things about the Schreyer honors campus, but I'm unsure of a few things. First of all, what are the requirements? It's not very cut and dry, and I'm wondering how much of a chance I have.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.6 or 3.7 unweighted
taking all IB courses (IB diploma candidate if you know what that means. it's pretty much the equivalent of all AP classes)
SAT: 1950, but I'm taking it for a second time October 1st
CR: 610 M: 650 W: 690
ECs are so/so. I've got softball for 2 years, SADD club for 2 years, a breast cancer organization for 2 years, a job for senior year, and i'm applying to some honor societies this year (my school just reinstalled them this fall), but nothing I've done for all four years of high school
I also went to Africa for 3 weeks over the summer and volunteered at an orphanage</p>
<p>Is Schreyer isolated from the rest of the campus? I think it's good to have a tight knit community but I'd also like to venture out and meet people and get involved without it being a hassle.</p>
<p>Also, is everyone work work work 24/7? I'm not a huge partier, but I'd like to have the typical college experience to a certain degree.</p>
<p>It's just hard to find a lot of information on this so it would be good to hear some feedback. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Schreyer is looking for exemplary grades, rigorous schedule, and high achievement. Both your gpa and your SAT should be a little higher to be a shoo-in. They also favor candidates with meaningful ECs, so belonging to a lot of things is less important than dedication/leadership in your passions. Experience abroad is a big hook, so you have that!! The essay is also important to Schreyer. They are looking to turn out future leaders – worldly, smart, hard-working, compassionate – and are serious about finding potential as exhibited in high school. It isn’t enough to just have great grades. Leadership and philanthropy count for a lot.</p>
<p>The Schreyer dorms are in the middle of campus. Yes, Schreyer students tend to be the most serious, but you couldn’t avoid parties at UP if you tried and there are LOTS of Schreyer students. And you still are a part of your “home” college community, too. Schreyer scholars get the perk of early registration and the best advising, but it is also somewhat notorious for being demanding/annoying about what you can take (your advisor weighs in even on electives) and the dreaded Schreyer senior thesis. Most students enter as freshmen, but some are admitted as sophomores upon the recommendation of their college (so if you get straight A’s as a freshman and become a writing center leader, for example, you might still get in to Schreyer). If you are thinking about grad school, Schreyer is the way to go. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Thank you!! All of that information was very helpful. I’m hoping to score better on the SAT I take in October. I’m taking the ACT later that month as well, so we’ll see. Unfortunately there isn’t much I can do about my GPA. Slacked off sophomore year and it really took a toll. </p>
<p>Hopefully some kick ass essays will do the trick!</p>
<p>*Both your gpa and your SAT should be a little higher to be a shoo-in. *</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone’s top scores make anyone a “shoo in”. Shreyer rejects many kids with top scores. Because it is so popular and many kids with ivy-like stats apply, kids with super stats also get rejected.</p>
<p>I think one reason why Shreyer doesn’t post stats req’ts is so that it can choose some lower stats URMs to ensure diversity.</p>
<p>OH, I forgot to ask! If I don’t end up cutting it for Schreyer, do students that have “above the norm” stats have a better chance at getting admitted to the University Park campus freshman year? Or is it just luck?</p>
<p>Schreyer admissions do NOT consider SAT scores. None of the reviewers even have access to those scores. (Of course, before getting into Schreyer, you need to be admitted to PSU in the first place) Other than that, the admssions screening process is rather rigorous. GPA, course rigor, EC’s and especially leadership positions in those EC’s, and very important - the essay responses to the admissions questions are what are the significant factors in admissions.</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone has come up with the equation for SHC admissions. The process is somewhat opaque.</p>
<p>@ QuietType, yes that’s true, I was referring to the “shoo-in” for being admitted to PSU; and @mom2college, yes, that’s correct – superstats are not enough, in and of themselves. I should not have said “shoo-in”, I just meant “high enough that you can feel good about them in regards to PSU” bc of course every admission decision is flexible. And of course, here on CC there is always someone who thinks you should retake a test. Mandyvee and Iglooo should look at the PSU bubble chart on the other thread. If Mandyvee is interested in Schreyer, I would not let the gpa discourage you, they really are looking for a whole package, much moreso than PSU. I live here in State College, and Schreyer students from our schools are usually the leaders, the innovators, the independant-but-high-achievers — not just the super high scores/gpa and a million ECs or ECs that are self-improving; dedicated community service is key.</p>
<p>Schreyer application is a separate entity, you apply to it independant of PSU application.</p>
<p>Be aware that PSU and/or Shreyers do not give much FA or merit to OOS students. Shreyer gives like $4800 merit. And, PSU is lousy with aid for OOS students (not so great with instate either).</p>
<p>Will your parents pay for most/all of the OOS costs for PSU/Shreyer?</p>
and there are LOTS of Schreyer students. And you still are a part of your “home” college community, too. Schreyer scholars get the perk of early registration and the best advising, but it is also somewhat notorious for being demanding/annoying about what you can take (your advisor weighs in even on electives) and the dreaded Schreyer senior thesis. Most students enter as freshmen, but some are admitted as sophomores upon the recommendation of their college (so if you get straight A’s as a freshman and become a writing center leader, for example, you might still get in to Schreyer). If you are thinking about grad school, Schreyer is the way to go. Hope this helps!</p>