I would make sure he does well in his classes this year. I would also make sure he begs his teachers to allow him to take as many AP classes as possible next year. I would consider Education or Agriculture as a major. DUS is no longer an easy way in.
I would apply only for Summer. I think OOS helps a lot in my opinion. I’m the optimist. A 3.3 from an OOS private is enough for Summer. Every time I hear of a lower stat person getting in, they are from OOS.
Sorry with such a late response. But they are just under 2 years apart.
I don’t expect they will be together “all of the time” but they truly are best friends. They talk everyday about how they “can’t wait” for his brother to be there. My younger son has gone to PSU over the summer with my PSU student and got to hang out with him and his friends all weekend and they all have older siblings who go to Penn state or did. They are also very independent from each other in their own ways but just really enjoy each other. I have no weird ideas about them “dating sisters” or anything like that. Younger son just loves Penn state. Loves the campus and the vibe and it’s his number 1 school right now.
Yes. We are absolutely discussing other options. But also trying to give this is a shot
Maybe that’s my way of expressing how much he wants to go to Penn state. It’s not just about the brother. But since he visited there over summer and explored the campus etc it’s become a huge draw.
All he can do is be the best him. They don’t care about ECs - so make sure he focuses on academics. I would not over stretch though. Too many take on rigor they can’t handle.
He’ll apply and see - and there will be lots of others if PSU don’t work out. To me, Va Tech is the most similar campus - but of course it’s a reach. But there will be others - budget and other things depending.
He’ll be fine - there’s more than one school for everyone - I’m pretty sure. I do get the brother thing - and that’s nice. Hopefully, if not during school, they might find jobs in the same area for the long term 
This major (below) is also considered relatively easy to get into. He’d need to add a solid minor in Business Fundamentals or Economics or IST or something of the kind though because it’s a bit “fluffy”(/not known for being serious and in depth so the minor would have to add heft.)
He should also look at choices in College of Education and College of Agriculture.
His best shot would be one of these + applying directly for LEAP (Summer).
At the same time careers are long, and he should study something appropriate to their desires. Can’t think of many employers who will pick a resume they deem not qualified based on a minor.
Thank you!
The minor gives heft to the other courses - the student will have solid professional experience and wouldn’t be dismissed out of hand but some companies may prefer someone who’s taken Economics and Business Management courses for a management job, especially since this can be achieved relatively easily.
In my son’s experience, a minor came up in interviews but there was nary a place to note it on an application. So I think it’s more discussion material if you get the interview.
I think if the student is interested in one of the easier to be admitted majors you mention - then great. But pursuing if not interested, just as an easier way in, may (or may not) have longer term repercussions.
Majors like recreation are unlikely to obtain a business type role interview, regardless of any minor.
They’ve lumped together tourism management (with 2 majors, a commercial management: cruise, resort parks major; and a community management: parks major) with outdoors recreation and the PGA golf management program. The students have solid professional experience by the time they graduate but on your CV when listing courses relevant to the position (if you choose to do that) you’d use the Smeal Business Fundamentals certificate courses or a few of these courses.
Imho Agribusiness is a better major and directly includes Smeal classes even if it’s easier than just Smeal.
Tourism management and Education would both require some previous interest since they’re pretty narrow - no point in studying that if you don’t want to have a job in either career. But they ARE among the easier majors to get into ar University Park.
I think if someone is interested in agribusiness then it’s great. But if not, the major name may preclude one from jobs. I could be wrong. Just my belief that’s is unlikely to be a major mainstream jobs filter for.
This is a strange statement wrt a highly employable, in-demand major. LOTS of brands, from John Deere to Coca Cola to Kellogg’s plus insurance firms and banks, hire these students. Basically anything there involves food or risk assessment… Have you actually looked at the majors’ contents, the experiential learning opportunities, student stories, etc? Not just at PSU but at any Land Grant university.
Tourism Management’s outcomes are iffier but Agribusiness majors have no problem whatsoever “placing” in a broad variety of companies.
Anyway, students can and will change their minds about what they like, will discover what they’re good at, and aren’t “boxed in”, especially if they choose a broader major that branches into many professions and types of positions.
The question here is: what majors can this student apply to at PSU and have a shot at UP.
I assume the student will have two safeties (probably directional or private colleges instate) and a couple affordables matches.
Good to know. They don’t have a placement report I could find. I guess I was seeing it through the lens of my kind of work. Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ever worked with someone with the major. I could have and simply be unaware.
Of course I’m not sure of the students desires outside of attending there.
Are intra university transfers at PSU hard, outside of business ? Could a student go, from say agribusiness to poli sci ?
Well I hope OP’s student makes the right decision for them.
Only Nursing, PGA Golf management, and Smeal have restrictions. So, it’s possible to go from Agribusiness to anything else as long as of course you’ve taken the prereqs.