Penn State has been my dream school for as long as I can remember, but I’m worried I won’t get in. My grades are on an upward trend (I’m a junior now and I’m doing a lot better than I did freshman and sophomore year).
I already know what classes I’ll be taking next year, so here is my courseload:
Honors Algebra 2, Honors English 9, Honors Integrated Science, Spanish 2, World History, FAS, Honors Geometry, Honors English 10, Honors US History, Honors Biology, Honors Spanish 3, Honors Pre-Calc, AP English 11 (its a dual-enrollment class at UCONN as well), Honors Chemistry, APUSH, IB (Standard Level) Spanish 11, AP Music Theory, Honors Intro to Calc, AP English 12 (dual-enrollment at UCONN), AP Biology, AP Euro, IB Spanish 12, AP Psychology, and then I have 1 regular credit in concert band, and 3 honors credits for concert band and 3 honors credits for jazz band. I would’ve taken IB Math, but I wasn’t able to double up on maths sophomore year (because I didn’t have room in my schedule) so I’m only in honors maths.
And for my grades:
Freshman year, I had a 3.45… Sophomore year, I had a 3.37… then I had a realization that grades actually matter and right now, in my junior year, I have a 3.9 GPA. (it would be a 4.0 but I failed a singing quiz in my Theory class and… yeah)
For extra curriculars, I didn’t do much freshman or sophomore year. Sophomore year I did marching band, and freshman and sophomore year I helped with the school play at my local middle school (around 20 hours). Junior year, I’m in key club. I’m still in marching band, and I’m trumpet section leader. (I’m also section leader in concert band and jazz band, also principle and lead) I volunteer with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra by ushering for every performance, which will total to be about 28 hours. I’ll be getting a job soon (when band ends). Senior year I’ll be doing the same things that I do this year, hopefully.
I’m hoping to get into Penn State for trumpet performance. My grades for the rest of the year and for senior year should be the same as they are now (hopefully better). Anyways, what are my chances? I know I have to audition, but in order to audition you need to be accepted into the school, I think. So what should I improve on (that I can?)
(I haven’t taken the SATs yet but I’m going to expect a higher than average grade, and I’ll also be taking the ACTs)