She can pivot to Smeal/marketing if she takes the pre-reqs. Marketing requires one of the highest GPAs (3.25) because it’s in high demand after Finance so many places may not be open. As a result she needs to maximize a manageable schedule that covers different majors beside Marketing and allow her to use her academic strengths to earn the highest possible grades.
An alternative could be something in Comm with a couple stats/data science classes and the Smeal business certificate.
Another alternative is to add the a Digital Analysis and Marketing minor to any major.
Behavioral economics is another very in-demand major professionally (econ/psych) but as of now I don’t think PSU offers a concentration in it at the undergrad level.
In order to keep all options open
Fall
English 15 or 30H
Math 110: Applied Calculus (if 4or5 on AP calc AB: Take the 2-credit Math 111: Applied calculus 2; it’s not mandatory but a useful signal to employers and an easy way to complete the Quantitative requirement when taken alongside a Stats class.)
Comm 160
Psych 100
Foreign Language 111 (intensive), 2 (if 3 years in HS), or 3 (if 4years in HS)
Spring
Stats 200 <-although there are Smeal-specific and Psych-specific stats courses, this covers requirements for both Smeal and Psych
Econ 102 (beware! Weed out course! Worth taking the AP credit if you scored a 5. Required for Comm and Smeal if no AP Microeconomics 5) or Econ 104 (required for Smeal, gen ed social science for Psych or Comm, waived if AP Macro 5) or another social science or Intro to Management
Psych 2xx (a choice of 200-level psychology course)
Gen Ed Science
Foreign Language 112(intensive2) or 3 or 201 (Foreign LanguageCommunication), or IST 110 (if interested in Comm or Digital Marketing certificate - can be taken over the summer or sophomore year too) - note: taking 4 years of a foreign language in HS pays off at this point.
An interest in Business Law could also mean this major:
In which case the student would take LHR100 instead of Psych 2xx or Intro to Management Spring freshman Year. She could still take Psych 2xx or Intro to Management or IST110 Fall sophomore year and be on track for the other majors but the choice of Smeal vs. other majors would have to be decided by that point.
Students preparing for Law school would follow the BA path with a Humanities minor and students preparing for work right after college would follow thr BS path with Smeal certificate or Industrial Psych courses.