<p>I accidentally posted this on the wrong board, so this is a re-post.
any advice is appreciated.</p>
<p>I am a 32yr old adult student interested in going to PSU. Specifically, I really like the IST program.
My employer (US Coast Guard, active duty) has awarded me what amounts to a full scholarship. I can go to any school that will accept me for 2 years to finish my BS starting fall 06. I am not required to do any work in the Coast Guard while in the program.
The CG’s one stipulation is that it be a techical degree in a computer/technology field.</p>
<p>I intend to use the meantime until fall 06 to take more classes at UH so that I can finish an PSU degree in the 2 yr time frame. Currently taking pre-cal (night classes)</p>
<p>My SAT score is 1220 (650V/570M) I plan to re-take it in Sept.</p>
<p>I have earned a 4.0 over the 5 classes I have taken here at U. of Hawaii (night classes) in the past coupe of years.
Micro-economics
world civ I and II
Math 110 (college alg)
micro-bio</p>
<p>I have also taken a handful of other classes at other schools at different duty stations over the years (3.7 GPA).</p>
<p>Back in 90-92 when I was young and unmotivated I took classes at community college until I dropped out. I “earned” a 2.0 during that time.</p>
<p>Professionaly, I have an excellent record of acheivement in the Coast Guard. I have lead teams that completed expensive and complex high profile IT projects. Cisco CCNA and telecom PBX certs. Manage a 7 person IT shop.</p>
<p>in summary:
shaky start at college 15yrs ago
average 1220 SAT score
good GPA in college level courses with past 7 years
no financial assist needed
professional/life skills
first gen. college student
exp in leadership position</p>
<p>I guess my question is:
what standard does admissions use for adult students?
Does work experience count for anything?
Would they give less weight to my early college record?
Or am i treated the same as the recent high school grads?
Thanks,
Mike</p>
<p>i can’t tell you much, except for the fact that they are alot easier in admitting transfer students/adults than they are to upcoming freshman…you should be fine</p>
<p>i doubt they’d put much emphasis on your old community college work… that wouldn’t make much sense at all.</p>
<p>i don’t know much about adult admissions, but the IST program really is great. the new IST building is amazing; they JUST built it a year or two ago.</p>
<p>I saw the new IST bldg on the web. It does look pretty cool.
I spent all day yesterday going over old transcripts and using Penn States course transfer tool.</p>
<p>PSu actually has a pretty thorough web site for perspective students.</p>
<p>I was able to determine what courses i should take between now and fall 06 so that i can be up to speed. I am going to take more classes here at U.Hawaii but also thorugh Penn States World campus (online)</p>
<p>On a seperate note is there that much difference between the University Park campus and some of the other ones.</p>
<p>I am considering going to the Deleware County campus simply because it is near Philly.
Over the years I have grown acustomed to living in/near a city.
I have never been to any PSU campus so any input is appreciated.
-Mike</p>
<p>keep in mind that not all majors are offered at the PSU satellite campuses-- IST, i’m fairly sure, can be started at any campus but must be completed at the main campus (university park). for the most part, satellites aren’t up to par with the variety and rigor of the classes offered at the main campus, but they’re great for incoming freshmen (or other students) that don’t have the stats to get into the main campus (and usually plan on transferring to main after a year or two).</p>
<p>your SAT scores are on par with main campus’ requirements, and since the IST major has to be completed up at university park (again, i’m not POSITIVE, but the website should confirm this), it’d make sense to just transfer straight to the main campus.</p>
<p>as for living in a city, i, too, grew accustomed to city-life and didn’t even plan on applying to PSU since it’s not in a major metropolitan area. after i had the opportunity to live up at the main campus for a month, i fell in love with the setting. i forget the exact statistic, but state college is pennsylvania’s smallest borough and largest population during the schoolyear (or something to that extent), so while it’s surrounded by farms, it’s got the hustle and bustle of a small city. probably not comparable to philly, but it’s not like students cow-tip for fun. well, maybe some do. but we can ignore them for the discussion’s purpose ;)</p>
<p>you mentioned hawaii-- is that where you’re living right now? if you get an opportunity to visit the main campus, DO. while it’s a fit for me and i come from a city, it’s a unique setting and a visit would be worth your while.</p>
<p>hope this answered some of your questions :)</p>
<p>actually they do offer the IST program at other campuses. Some campuses do not offer all 3 areas of the IST program (design and develope, integration and appl etc)</p>
<p>I am leaning toward the Delaware county campus. does the degree say Penn State on it or does it say the campus you attended?</p>