Getting into PSU University Park?

Colleges & Universities Penn State
1

I really want to get into PSU main campus. It’s my number 1.

My stats:
Weighted GPA: 4.022
SAT: 1390/1600 - it was my first try, I’m retaking in October.
In top 20% of class

I’m currently enrolled in AP Physics C, and AP Calculus BC. Last year, I took AP Computer Science A, AP Music Theory, AP Calculus AB, and AP Physics I. In freshman and sophomore year, I took AP US History and AP Human Geography. In 2017, I was awarded AP Scholar with Distinction.

I would go in as undecided, but I’m stating in my personal statement that I’m deciding between music education and computer science. I am putting yes to the optional summer semester, which I do want to do. I had a visit to PSU over the summer.

I do mainly music extracurriculars. I’m just going to list them, because there’s a lot. Marching band, indoor percussion, concert band, an audition-only wind ensemble that wasn’t a school function, piano and vocal lessons, performing solos at a church, string ensemble, pit orchestra, performed in PMEA District band in sophomore year.

Do you think I will be accepted? I’m going to submit my app fairly soon, for rolling admission.

Thank you!! Any advice and tips are appreciated!

2

I would like to add:

I am a white female
lifetime PA resident
My parents are both lifetime PA residents

3

You should be fine for DUS admission but you would need to audition to be admitted as a music education major. I don’t know if that department accepts students later who start off as undecided. You probably should check with the department prior to submitting your application.

4

Apply DUS and you’re in.
Music education is likely to require qn addition, call tomorrow.
If education, apply to Schreyer since they don’t have too many applications from Education majors.

5

Duquesne has a very good music department as well. You would most likely get merit. It might come out close in price to PSU, especially with extra cost for summer session at PSU.

I would apply and see, you can visit when you audition. Application is free online until Dec 15.

IUP has a good reputation for music education, computer science, criminology, speech pathology and more. You could apply to Cook Honors College and get merit scholarships too.

Another option might be Temple.

6

bump. :slight_smile:

7

UPDATE: I boosted my SAT score to 1430.

8

You’re good.
Did you apply to Schreyer?

9

No, do you think it’s worth it? Not sure if I want to write like three essays…

10

Yes it is. You’ll have tremendous opportunities you wouldn’t have otherwise .
And if you cannot write three essays… Are you sure you want to go to college? :wink:

11

You can check with the school but I would apply with music education major. I think it’s in the School of Arts and Architecture.

Because it is probably easier to switch out of music than into music. And music requires the audition.

If you start later than your classes might be off sequence because all music students probably have to take the same sequence of music theory and history classes.

PSU is almost $30,000 a year and summer session would add several thousand to that number. As a PA student you might qualify for a state grant of around $3,000 depending on EFC but other than that just the student loan of $5,500.

So that would leave $25,000-$30,000 for your parents to pay.

Duquesne might offer you their top $20,000 scholarship plus $4,000 for living on campus.
You would get a state grant there too if you qualify, and the loan.

So the net cost could be around $20,000 or less.

The application online is free and they accept SAT score reported on the transcript so I think it would be worth it to apply.

I think they have music education and music therapy majors.

IUP starts at $24,000 a year and with your score you can apply to Cook Honors and they offer a small community of scholars and scholarships and study abroad opportunities.

So your net price could end up around $15,000 or even less.

I would apply to several schools even if PSU is your favorite because you don’t know what your parents will say to the price tag and reality of paying that for four years.

All three have a great music education program.

And you don’t need to pay for summer session to get in, your test scores and GPA are very good.

12

You should be fine, but apply by Nov 30 for your best chance. If you are truly undecided, then you belong in DUS. Don’t be so focused on getting in that you forget to plan for making the most of being in college, wherever you end up.

Mommdc is correct – PSU is expensive. Schreyer would bring the cost down if you can get in and stay in (there’s a gpa to maintain, and honors course requirements). Duquesne does have a good music program but is in the center of Pittsburgh, which is a different sort of experience you may or may not feel is a match.

If you check off summer session as an option, you will still be offered fall if you meet fall criteria. GOod luck!