I’m a junior in high school right now and I’m applying to colleges soon for admission in fall of 2019. Penn State University and University of Georgia are my top schools, but I can’t even explain the stress I’ve been under for months about my grades. I’m ending this year with about a 3.4 unweighted GPA (I have no idea what my weighted is)and I’m signed up to take SAT’s and ACT’s soon. I haven’t taken them yet but hopefully I will be able to get a good enough score to outweigh my “ok” GPA. My school does not offer as much AP classes as the normal high school, and my schedule for the last 3 years have not been that rigorous. I’ve only taken 2 honors classes in freshman and sophomore year, and I’m scheduled to take 1 honors class senior year. Also, I’m enrolled to take college classes during senior year as well (I believe that’s called IB courses?). I’ve been a cheerleader for my high school all 3 years and am planning on cheering next year too. I’ve been captain 2 years and hopefully 3 next year. I don’t have any community service hours but I’m not sure how much of a difference that makes. I’m also going to be the first person in my family to attend a university and achieve a bachelors degree. I’m African American and I’ve read that being a minority may help you a tiny bit. When I visited PSU and UGA they made their schools sound extremely elite and prestigious in which only the best of the best get accepted. This worried me, but when I spoke to actual students attending the schools I was told the administrators “have to make it sound that way” and that I should not stress myself out over it. Nevertheless, I’m so stressed I’m surprised I still have hair on my head, and the closer I get to the time to start applying, the more nervous I’m getting. So I’m leaving you with two questions. 1: What do you think my chances are at getting into these schools? 2: Should I consider adding community service hours, or will these not have much impact? I need to make my application the absolute best it can be. I’ve read tons of questions on this website where students with a 4.0 GPA, perfect SAT scores and a million personal achievements are worried of their acceptance to these same schools and it makes me think that I’m reaching a little too high. Please give me your honest opinions, thank you!
You can compare yourself to actual stats by finding the university’s Common Data Set (Google “PSU common data set”, for example) and looking at section C.
GPA is 2/3 of the decision at Penn State. There are two things you can do there to increase your chances: apply for DUS/undecided, and apply for the summer session.
I’m not sure if you’re out-of-state for PSU, but if you are, note that it’s likely to be full price.
Penn State has an awful fraternity culture. I’d never let my child go there.
My D - with a 3.5 Unweighted GPA and a 31 ACT did not get into UGA. Her Extra curricular’s were poor.
It wasn’t her number one choice so it worked out Ok.
I think you should apply to where you want to go- but have a few safety’s on the list.
Are you instate for UGA?
Make sure you can afford it. All Schools have a net price calculator -so you could do that and run the numbers by your parent/guardians.
Have you talked to your college counselor at school?
@Muad_dib What’s your axe to grind? Do you also write off Stanford because of Brock Turner, or anywhere else because of the numerous fraternity and sorority violations? It’s really insulting to the majority of students here who have nothing to do with Greek life when you take every opportunity to disparage the school.
I have had zero interaction with the events of any Greek organization here. I don’t do THON. I don’t go to parties. I’ve probably talked to someone who’s in Greek life at some point but that’s about it. I volunteer with animals and I’m in the book club and I work on my engineering degree. That’s my niche here.
Your child doesn’t have to go to PSU; that’s your family’s decision. But other people have to make their own decisions about what matters to them.
My nephew was waitlisted for UGA. 31 ACT, 1450 SAT, 3.7 UWGPA & URM & Eagle Scout. Later admitted off the waitlist.
Georgia does NOT consider state of residence (although Georgia Tech does).
Are you a Pennsylvania resident ?
You need to add more schools to your list. What attracts you to each of these schools ?
What do you want to study ?
renee after looking at your other post I really think you need to make sure you have some safety schools on your list. Schools you can afford and can get into. This may mean something besides the big state flagships you are looking at. Many of those do not offer much in the way of scholarships to out of state students.
It would also be helpful it you replied to your threads when people ask you questions. People here are very helpful for the most part if you let them. 