Hi all!
I’m a current freshman at Penn State, looking to transfer, and was wondering if you could chance me?
I’m applying to the College of Arts and Sciences, looking to major in Statistics with the concentration in Actuarial finance.
High School GPA: 3.34 UW 4.08 Weighted
ACT Scores: 34 Composite 35 Super-scored
College GPA: 3.72
EC’s: In college, club fencing, several intramural sports, a few business clubs (One of which I was elected to their executive board, and am studying for the SOA actuarial exams (and planning to have passed 2 this summer which is huge for a freshman and is my dream career). In high school I was an eagle scout, started a business, was on Varsity fencing (National, state, and regional awards with that), varsity golf, and section leader of the school orchestra.
My essays discussed how Uva would fit my goals and really touched on how I am actively pursuing my intended to career and how the school would be the best fit for me to achieve that. I also have a personal story that really reflected my lack of study habits in high school and my work to transform that while managing EC’s and my pursuance of being an actuary in college. This along with my recommendation letters from 2 close professors (classes I got high grades in but hadn’t in high school) I feel seriously address my high school GPA.
I feel as though my college GPA, testing, essays, and EC’s are all on par to be a strong candidate, but I am worried my high school GPA and my status of being an out of state student will hinder me. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, and best of luck to all the applicants!
@BlueandGold123 I understand where you’re coming from, and you are mostly in the right, but it’s also beyond your scope to blatantly dismiss another students opinion so abrasively. At the end of the day, we are all making wild guesses based on finite examples we think we understand; no one knows the reality of the situation. It’s best to put it aside and just wait, there’s really nothing to argue or dismiss.
@LaVolpe Thanks for contributing so much to last year’s thread! I hope you it works out this time around. Are you applying as a third year?
@Uvakid96 You are going to have a better chance if you can raise your GPA and apply as a third year. You do have a solid chance now, but your HS GPA will play a major role into their decision. If you don’t get in this year, I’m confident that next year you will. Also, check out UVA McIntire’s quantitative finance program. It’s pretty competitive to get into, but it will guarantee you a great job if you want to follow that path.
@UVAfan23 your chances looks super good; especially since you were waitlisted in high school and took a year at another college! I’m not sure about mine. I was confident but not I’m not sure the competition seems way too high haha
@snp2896 well I was waitlisted after 1 semester during college. I didn’t apply after high school because I knew I wouldn’t get in. But have faith! I don’t know your stats but I’m sure they are not as terrible as mine were haha. Everyone told me I wouldn’t get in at all, even my advisor, but I applied and I got waitlisted and UVA even told me I had “strong credentials” it was truly an accomplishment in of itself. I was proud and still am and hopefully this time around things will turn out even better. Let me know how things go for you. Less than a month till decisions! Good luck + WahooWa!
@UVAfan23 i know! i’m so nervous. Haha my stats aren’t perfect but I feel like my essays and recommendation was strong. I had a 3.0 in hs and 3.8 in community college after 2 years. my SATs weren’t great either but I gotta keep my head high! Good luck to you too!
Edit: Since I’m sure a couple are curious, my stats from last year are on the first/second page of last years transfer page. I got into W&M and (obviously) not into UVa.
@Jouuuu I am indeed applying as a third year, and thanks for the, uh, thanks! If you, or anybody, has questions feel free to ask. I know quite a bit from spending too much time up there (or not enough, obviously haha) and knowing way too many friends/family that do or have attended.
@UVAfan23 I guess W&M doesn’t have a reputation outside of the area that’s widely known other than the history/prestige. I’m actually from Williamsburg and it’s always had many things said about it, but I assumed they were all nonsense. I wouldn’t want to talk negatively, but it’s just a place where people pride themselves on being miserable.
You get two constant conversations of " I totallyyyyyy could’ve gone to Dartmouth (but spoiler alert, they didn’t actually get in)" and/or “UVa kids have it so easy, we do so much more work”. Variations notwithstanding, that’s pretty much W&M.
@hooville17 haha stop freaking us out! :)) and i still have the green circle…although I hear it means nothing, I still wish it would change to that check…i’m getting so frustrated
@snp2896 omg you still have the circle? I got the check mark like 2.5 weeks ago maybe? Maybe it’s just my anxiety speaking but could it be that they denied me easily and they’re taking their time on stronger applicants? Hmmm. When did you submit your app? I submitted it on leap day (2/29)
@UVAfan23 oh no! everyone seems to have gotten theirs except me But i did submit mine on March 1st at 11:52 pm…ha.ha.ha. And I doubt it! You might’ve been an easy decision based on your awesome stats
I still have the circle also. I am so nervous but have that gut feeling I did not get in. This is my dream school and basically had to beg my mom to let me apply 'cause everyone in my family is/has gone to UMW. UGH this is so stressful I just want that check. Haha.
Hey everyone, I wouldn’t really worry about it. I think it may be a first come - first serve basis in regards to the check mark. I submitted my app on Feburary 5th and got the check mark March 29th. When I applied last year as a senior, I sent it in on October 30th (early action) and got a check around mid Janurary. Honestly, like Dean J said, we shouldn’t really fret over it. Your academic merit, passion, and essays are what will get you in, not the rate at which you get your check mark. Also, for stress, I recommend an awesome breakfast before class. Drinking coffee with an apple fritter right now has me feeling amazing And once again, good luck everyone!
@LaVolpe yeah I think it’s one of those “first come first serve” sort of deals, like @SamoyedScience stated. I’m just so weary of all these tiny signs from last years transfer thread. I need to lay off CC for a while. Lol
I’m not sure about mine. I was confident but not I’m not sure the competition seems way too high haha
but I gotta keep my head high! Good luck to you too!
But i did submit mine on March 1st at 11:52 pm…ha.ha.ha. And I doubt it! You might’ve been an easy decision based on your awesome stats 