Smeal College of business

Colleges and Universities A-Z Penn State
1

I am a senior in high school, class of 2021. I am very interested in Penn State university. I have a 4.00 weighted, 3.7 unweighted GPA. Including my senior year I have enrolled in 3 AP classes, 13 honors classes and my SAT is a 1240.

I have played baseball throughout all my years in high school and have been involved with student leadership and Future business leaders of america (FBLA). That being said, I want to major in marketing and was thinking about potentially apply Directly into the Smeal College of Business.

Is Penn State a reasonable college to apply to with my stats? If so should I apply directly into the business school?

2

You should NOT directly apply to business school. Apply to DUS (undecided). here are my reasons:

  1. Smeal direct admission is more competitive than DUS (or has been traditionally). Don’t want to risk getting caught up in the numbers.

  2. No one is “in” their major until:

  • they are in the credit window (44 to 59 credits complete)
  • have completed all the entrance to major classes (ETM) which include: English, Math (Calc), Econ (Micro), Stat, Acctg 211, Marketing 301, Management 301, Finance 301.
  • they have the required GPA (3.2 all majors except finance is 3.5 … have heard that may be changing and getting higher).

You can register for all ETM classes as a PMAJ BUS (pre-major Business) or PMAJ DUS (pre-major DUS). You cannot try to game the system and apply for an easier major (ie. Education) and get those classes.

There are two benefits of being directly admitted into Smeal (that I am aware of - anyone else, please chime in?):

  1. Smeal advisor vs. DUS advisor. (You can can drop into Smeal advising during open advising if you are concerned) … when you are “in” your major, you will get a major-specific advisor.

  2. Sapphire Leadership Program - separate application process, must be in Smeal. google it if you are interested.

In my opinion, your stats are borderline enough for Smeal, that I wouldn’t take the chances. The benefits don’t outweigh the risks. I would encourage you to apply DUS.

3

Apply DUS. No advantage applying to Smeal directly and your stats arent strong enough for Sapphire (whixh would expext 1400+ SAT, 6-8 APs…) Don’t risk it.
Are you instate?

4

I am not, coming from Illinois.

5

I have similar stats. 3.8. GPA on 4.0 scale, 1290 SAT and very good business related extra circulars and good essay and personal statement. Should I apply to Smeal or DUS. Also, I do have the option of not submitting my SAT score so would I be better off not submitting it and applying to Smeal?

6

I have similar stats. 3.8. GPA on 4.0 scale, 1290 SAT and very good business related extra circulars and good essay and personal statement. Should I apply to Smeal or DUS. Also, I do have the option of not submitting my SAT score so would I be better off not submitting it and applying to Smeal?