@greatwhiteway Some of my daughter’s friends also worked in State College during the summer since they only take 6 credits with the LEAP program. There is plenty of time for a part time job. The financial aspect of summer is something to definitely consider, but in our case, it was worth it. Since my daughter took college classes in high school, and with LEAP, she started fall freshman year with 18 credits and because of such, will be able to bring her car for spring semester because she will be considered a sophomore credit wise. It did cost about 7k for tuition and room and board for the summer session - so the financial aspects can’t be ignored…As with everything, It’s a balancing act between what one wants and what one needs.
@amomoffour I’m curious why you say not to do it unless one must? My daughter made many friends at LEAP and MANY were there because they wanted to - not because they couldn’t get in to fall. Even so - the students who attend summer LEAP in no way are poor students. My D went to summer because that’s where she was accepted, even though some students with her stats were accepted to fall. No one knows how PSU does their admissions. But my opinion is unless it’s a financial burden, it’s a wonderful experience and I would encourage ANY student to look into it.
Same, mine didn’t put down for summer option due to family commitments over the summer. Started in Fall and had no problem getting acclimated to the size and scope of campus, but the summer session students seemed super confident and happy so I would say that summer is a good plan if they offer it. I know they all want that last summer at home, but like a previous poster said, they are bored stiff by the end of summer so if you get that option, I would say go for it! Nice to hit the ground running with a good friend base and some credits already in the till…the money thing is always an issue, though. PSU is mighty spendy, especially out of state, and the tuition bumps up as soon as they hit 59.1 credits (Junior). And that’s not so far off, at the end of mine’s first year, the 20 IB credits from HS plus 17 each semester has her to 54. The higher tuition is on our doorstep and I feel like I just moved her in…
My daughter just checked her My Penn State account one last time before bed. She was Accepted to School of Engineering for Fall 2016 at University Park! We are excited. We are in-state and her stats are: ACT 34, SAT 2250, GPA 4.9 (4.0 UW). Good Luck everyone!
Accepted-Eberly College of Science (Mathematics Major)
Stats:
SAT: 2250 800M 690R 760W
SAT IIs: 800 Physics, 780 Math Il, 760 US History
GPA: 3.95
Rank: Top 3 % of 800
Other stats: 5’s on AP US History, Calculus BC, Physics C, Statistics
Subjective:
Essays: Good (Common App Essay)
Teacher Recs: N/A
Counselor Rec: N/A
Hook (if any): Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Director’s Award, Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences
Location/Person:
State or Country: PA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity/Race: Asian
Gender: male
Other Factors: Applied September 5
General Comments: So excited for my first acceptance! I have high hopes for Schreyer, and this is a step in the right direction!
@jlhpsu - You mentioned that some of your daughter’s friends worked part time in State College while doing the LEAP summer program. Do you know if it was easy for them to find work? What type of jobs did they get, and did they need a car to get to those jobs? Just wondering, because if my D does get accepted for summer option, we will strongly consider it, but finances are definitely a concern! Thanks!
Generally speaking , you don’t need a car in state college. The bus service is excellent - quick, convenient, many routes, safe, and you can even load up your bike for a “bike and ride”
You can, of course, use a car, but if your daughter doesn’t have one she’ll likely find jobs she can get to on foot, or by bus.
@futurepsuparent - I’m not sure when exactly her application was complete, I believe she finally had her transcript sent sometime around the first or second week of October (everything else was submitted by 9/2)
@twoforthree Did your daughter’s status change from “under review” to “decision in coming days” before she got the acceptance news? Again, congratulations!
@moms27 My daughter’s friends worked right on campus in the commons. So no, they didn’t need a car. But State College is very walkable, and has an excellent bus system - so even if she got a job in town she would not need a car. Keep in mind that many of the students who typically work on campus or in the restaurants and stores in town go home for the summer, leaving many summer job opportunities.
Was on the phone with someone from Admissions on an unrelated matter. We started chatting about the recent acceptances. We laughed since she said their is no rhyme or reason to acceptances. But, she did say that they wait until Novemeber 30 (last day of early decision) before they do the bulk of decisions. They want to see the complete pool of those applying before they make a decision. Only those top applicants who they know would get in get decisions now.
