<p>I'm thinking about applying to schreyers, but I feel that i have 0 chance. My stats 4.01 weighted GPA, 2 strong letters of reccomendation, and I would have my essays reviewed by the department chair at my school. I know my GPA is low for SHC, but do you think that i could maybe get in if my essays are amazing?</p>
<p>forgot to mention that I am in the top %15 of my class and have tons of family connections. Do you think it would help if I got a letter of recommnedation from a faculty at PSU? Is that even possible?</p>
<p>Penn State has posted the selection criteria for Schreyer Honors college on there website- I copied and pasted below. If you see yourself in the description below, I think you should apply. They are looking for students who are highly motivated for academic excellence. However, it sounds like you’re not very confident of your qualifications–why do you want to be in honors? Is it for the prestige? Or because you really want to push yourself? And if the latter, do you think that you have what it takes to compete with the top 5% of students at Penn State? That will be a much more competitive pool than you are used to at your high school.</p>
<p>Selection Criteria
Candidates offered admission to the Schreyer Honors College should demonstrate:</p>
<p>•academic excellence,
•strong leadership skills,
•motivation and self-discipline, and
•a commitment to citizenship and civic responsibility.
Schreyer Scholars represent the top 5% of students at Penn State, and therefore should also be at the top of their respective high school class. The Schreyer Honors College does not set a minimum standardized test score or grade point average for its applicants. Candidates will be assessed based on the academic and extracurricular documents submitted with the application, as well as responses to essay questions and letters of recommendation.</p>
<p>I’d say go for it. You having nothing to lose and a lot to gain.</p>
<p>If you had a letter of recommendation from a faculty member because you had done work with him or taken a class of his, yes. A letter of recommendation because you have a family connection, no. Amazing essays will be a big boost to your application. Good luck!</p>
<p>SATs?
You will have no chance of getting in, or even being considered, if you do not apply.</p>
<p>I want to do it to challenge myself.</p>
<p>by all means then you should apply. The priority deadline is Nov 30 but I think sooner is better all dother things being equal.</p>
<p>The SHC does not consider SAT/ACT scores.</p>
<p>I have a quick question about the 1st essay, should I have 2 examples or go for 1 more?</p>
<p>One strategy that I have heard is give two examples supporting your position and one example that does not support it. Issues are rarely black and white so it is good to acknowledge a contrary example.</p>
<p>My current essay is about 1000 words, is a negative example going to make it too long?</p>
<p>as a rule of thumb, I have heard that college essays should be about 500 words long. Sounds like you need to edit it down.</p>
<p>I am right now a freshman in the Schreyer Honors College. Your essay is a bit long in my opinion (since I have a rather succinct writing style) but if it’s not full of fluff and actually makes a point, then it is fine. Two of my three Schreyer essays were around 400-450 words. However, my third one had about 780 words, since I just had a lot to talk about. It’s more about content than length. This is why there is no word limit.</p>
<p>Piece of advice… Your essays will play a critical role in your admission to Schreyer so place a good amount of effort into them. (more so than other colleges)</p>
<p>I have put about 5 hours into the first one, but I will keep your advice in mind when I edit it with my English teacher</p>
<p>Whats up with that second essay question… does Penn State have programs at those places?</p>
<p>We don’t know what the essay questions are this year. They have changed them every year.</p>
<p>You have the opportunity to study for a semester in Madagascar, Costa Rica, or the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Which one would you choose and why, and how would you prepare yourself for the experience? What specific topic would you like to study related to your intended (or possible) major and career?</p>
<p>Yeah, PSU has programs in many countries and you can design your own too. </p>
<p>I’m headed to Costa Rica over Winter Break for an embedded course trip.</p>
<p>Where can I find more information?</p>