@lexi2022 I’m on the same page as you. hopefully tonight we will hear!
@paHoosier, @twinmom2014, @lucyvanpelt, I know our PSU kids are smart, but the math just isn’t making senseto me. According to PSU’s most recent Common Data Set Stats for UP (branches not included), the average high school GPA of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year (freshman) students who submitted GPA: 3.58. That’s only 0.03 points above the 25th percentile of 3.55 according to PSU’s admissions site. That has to be unweighted. So if 3.58 is the average, how can 25% of those same students have a 3.97 or above? Common data set also indicates 33% of applicants have more than a 3.75. So 8% had a 3.75 to 3.97 and 25% had a 3.97 to 4.0? That just seem statistically improbable. My head hurts. I’m off to make dinner. #WeAre
@Sophley - My head hurts too. That’s a question for my math wiz kid. :-/
@sophley @twinmom2014 @lucyvanpelt
So I checked out the common data set, and the only 25th/75th numbers that are listed there are for the SAT. No such number exist on that standardized form for GPA, which leads me to believe that PSU calculates their own. Also note that on that form, 4.0 is NOT the cap in the table (C11) its just the scale. The table actually says “3.75 and higher” not “GPA between 3.75 and 4.0” like it does for the other ranges.
Assuming a linear distribution of GPA from the C11 table, the median (50th percentile) GPA should be around 3.65. If you use the published 3.55-3.97 range, the median should be around 3.76. Add on to that PSU lists the average GPA as being 3.59.
That average and those medians sort of makes sense as the max (if unweighted) is only .41 above the average (max of 4.0), while the lowest admitted can be up to 1.5 pts below that - a 2.0 GPA. That would push the median up and lower the average (One 2.0 GPA kid drops 3 4.0’s down to an average of 3.5 - but their median is still 4.0 - make sense?)
So, I really don’t think that answers anything. I think the real strangeness is in the shear number of enrolled kids in that small bucket of the top 25th percentile. Basically, 2000 of the 8000 freshman students had 4.0 on an unweighted scale. Every class they ever took was an “A”.
I know there is grade inflation, but that seems way too high!?!
But maybe so!
Anyone who applied to IST hear back yet? We probably won’t know until tonight but just asking since today is supposed to be the last day for people who applied by 11/30.
hey! I was wondering if someone who’s knowledgeable about admissions is willing to answer a question of mine. I am from Massachusetts applying to the Business School at University Park with a 1230 SAT and 4.1 GPA weighted and 3.75 unweighted. But there’s kind of a catch… me being stupid applied to the online school back in October and got an answer within a month saying I got in. Soon after, I realized the great mistake I made so I called admissions and asked to switch campuses. I am now being reconsidered tuition… what are my chances of getting in (again)??
@PAHoosier - Yes my D had an A in every single class she took - 9th -12th grade. I do agree that there was grade inflation because she certainly did not get a 5 on all her AP exams. It always was my big issue with the district. We live in a very small rural town. Small graduating classes. My D said when she got to Penn State and starting making friends in her major she said she felt like “The dumbest out of the smartest.”
@heidi2018rd11 - You can try… I suspect they already filled your spot.
@lexi2022 Was just waitlisted a few hours ago with a 1200 SAT and 3.8 UW unfortunately. Goodluck!
@rogfed98 still says under review for me… I’m not sure if we’ll even hear today or tomorrow at this point.
Doesn’t the common data set represent ENROLLED students, where the admissions numbers show stats of accepted APPLICANTS? If the stats from common data set look lower, it could mean that some accepted students with the highest stats chose ivies or received scholarships (greater than PSU would grant) and enrolled elsewhere.
@rah5720 I am constantly checking the portal and still says under review. I’ll probably call tomorrow if I don’t get a decision by then to see what’s up because we are supposed to be getting a decision by tonight but things seem slow especially with IST so maybe not.
anyone who is certain their app was complete by Nov 30, especially if you had teouble with your SRAR or did some sort of coalition application should probably call. It seems with all the problems on the website and portal, there might be problems elsewhere. The first rule of a big big school is keep an eye on your details, and ask when something seems wrong. This is no time to assume somebody else will notice. Good luck!
Daughter was accepted to University Park as a Communications major!!!
Stats
SAT: 1100
SAT IIs:
GPA: (Weighted) 3.49
Rank: n/a
Other stats: Varsity athlete x 4 years in two sports, multiple athletic/academic awards, part time employment since age 15
Subjective:
Essays: strong
Teacher Recs: strong
Counselor Rec: strong & a PSU alum
Hook (if any):
Location/Person: OOS
State or Country: Maryland
School Type: high profile public
Ethnicity: bi-racial
Gender: female
Other Factors:
General Comments: Also accepted to Towson. Denied from University of Maryland (we were super bummed about this but knew it was a reach) & Rutgers (came as a surprise)
Not sure where she will end up…3 hours and OOS tuition might be deciding factors!
@Sophley I am beginning to think the GPA’s they note might be the GPA’s they calculate using their SRAR. It’s a way for them to recalculate all applicants so that apples are being compared to apples given there are so many different weightings and so many different point scales.
Just checked my portal and still under review! Applied well before October. I now have reached a point of stress I never knew I could feel.
just updated. Accepted to Smeal.
Applied Smeal 11/28 still under review.
Just accepted into IST for fall at UP… set an alarm to wake up at 12:00 am and it was there! So excited I hope everyone got good news tonight too!
Application still under review. Officially one day late…this is ridiculous.