<p>So I was reading on the Penn State website that your GPA counts for 2/3’s of their decision for accepting you. I was also reading over the requirements… 3 science credits, 3 math, 2 foreign language, 4 english, and 3 humanities (social studies). If I do the minimum requirements but get a killer GPA will that be better than over achieving and getting a lower one?</p>
<p>Do the minimum and a killer GPA, definitely; unless you have special interest on one of the fields and wish to do more, then go for it.</p>
<p>Just for the record, don’t consider 4 years of math, 3 of foreign language, and 4 of humanities as being an over-achiever.</p>
<p>Personally I would never advise my kids to plan their HS schedule trying to maximize their odds of getting into one college … the strategy that is great for Penn State may be horrible for other schools … and some (most?) students college plans change/evolve over time. </p>
<p>(PS - Minimizing the courses you take will hurt your chances at more selective schools … the advise I give my kids is to keep your options open as long as possible … so if anything I’d advise continue taking tough college prep courses)</p>
<p>Minimizing the courses you take will also hurt your chances at Penn State. [C</a>. Freshman Admission](<a href=“Error Page”>Error Page) They rate rigor of secondary school record as Important.</p>
<p>This is definitely walking a tight-rope. You will be competing with other students who also met the minimum standards as well as those who went beyond and got good grades. As cltdad points out class rigor is also important (right behind GPA and scores). I would take the most rigorous classes I could, which has the added benefit of you learning more. :)</p>