Depends how much rigor with that 4.0 (several AP 5s vs. No AP class..), how well prepared you are for the major you’ve chosen, what that major is and what your math score is..
Submitting the score should either confirm your grades and rigor, or provide some new information.
Thank you! I am. I was preparing a reconsideration letter. Thank you so much for your guidance and support.
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I’m totally confused. A few months ago, you mentioned I shouldn’t submit a 1320 SAT (660 math) for Smeal, but then you advised 1974mama that her student submit a 1300 (650 math). We have the same GPA, and I have more APs, including AP Calc, NHS, Varsity Captain, many volunteer hours, and ECs. Should I reconsider or is it too late?
Hi! I’m new to this forum. My D26 applied EA Oct 1, and still waiting to hear back. She applied to DUS, test optional, has a weighted gpa 3.96 (our school does not do uw, but maybe around 3.4), 4 AP classes, many honors classes. Has academic rigor. Does she have a shot at UP Fall? We are instate.
I agree that rigor is important. I initially mentioned, “Including three AP classes this year, I will have a total of 8 AP classes.”
NHS, Varsity captain, etc, will only factor at the margins.
We’re now over 1,000 posts into this thread so I don’t remember your case precisely. There could have been a reason or there could have been new information between your post and 1974mama’s.
Add the fact the process for Smeal is new.
If you provide stats again I/we can try to help.
For instance, it’s not just a matter of how many APs.
Do you have an A in precalculus or precalculus honors? Being in calc now helps. Did you take 4 years of a foreign language? What APs did you take and if you add all APw IB, DE, honors courses taken in HS what number do you get?
In addition, other factors such as whether your school is known or not, OOS vs. Instate, if you’re instate whether yours is a small rural HS or a big one with lots of choices plus making sure they admit from all PA counties.. that impacts the advice and/or results.
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I’m no expert, but when you consider that only about a third of all PSU applicants even submit an SAT/ACT score (so scores are heavily skewed upward), of those admitted who did submit a score 1320 is the 25th percentile, and of those who enrolled who submitted a score it is the 50th percentile . . . if my daughter was in your situation (which unfortunately she is not) I probably would have had her submit. Now, maybe for Smeal specifically it’s a different answer.
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Of course she does. We’re in the same boat . . . still waiting but decisions come in all the way until Christmas.
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GPA is 3.23 UW Because of poor sophomore year due to medical circumstances. Strong upwards trend, 3.7 GPA Junior year, 3.9 GPA Q1 senior year. Just looking for any chance, willing to do summer start. School does not offer AP or Honors, or rank. Tiny private school OOS. Strong ECS/Essay.
@gymnast2026
Typically, a GPA under 3.5+TO means branch campus, especially since they won’t see any AP or Honors classes. I don’t think a Fall UP admission is within the realm of possibility but a shot at Summer as a reach???
The Psychology major with Summer start might be the closest. In order to pivot to Kinesiology without losing any time, she’d need to take Psych 100, English 15/30H, Stats 200, Biology 161-162 during either Summer or Fall semester (and/or if necessary Math 22 or 26). That covers both majors.
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Thank you for the help! We know its a tough case and she’s a huge reach, but just trying to make sure we make the most of all opportunities to get in.
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Hopefully the medical situation (the fact that’s what impacted her grades sophomore year) appears in her application.
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Have any decisions been released tonight (or button removal)?
Thanks! I appreciate your quick reply and assistance! I have a weighted 4.25, 1320 SAT, 660 math, OOS. My high school has several students at PSU UP and many non-Smeal admits this year. Most did not submit SAT scores. I submitted my AP Chemistry and AP U.S. History scores (4). I did not submit my AP CS scores. I received A+ in class, but APs were not over 3. I took two years of a foreign language to make room for technical classes, such as AP Computer Science I & II, and other challenging coding/technical classes. I received As in all of my math classes, including pre-calc. Currently have an A+ in AP Calc.
It definitely does. If PSU reads the additional info section, she goes in detail there as well.
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Our button disappeared shortly before 7:00 tonight and the acceptance letter was in LionPath
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Hello, and welcome 
Same situation as @gymnast2026: odds are in favor of a 2+2 decision, but depending on rigor(Precalculus? 3-4 years foreign language? APs in English, History Sciences?..) and what data they have on students from your school, Summer admission may be a reachable reach.
@awayinpa
For Smeal the typical advice would have been “1400+ necessary” but that’s when admission rates out of HS were under 10% with most students going through DUS, and then only after all pre-reqs were completed, Smeal. The process changed this year and we don’t have any visibility yet so it’s really touch and go.
so I went in the portal and a button disappeared, but it wasn’t the test option instead it was the honors button
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Thank you!
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anyone know if this means anything?