Hello,
I am a highschool sophomore, and I know I am getting ahead of myself slightly, but I’ve wanted to go to Penn State since I was a little kid. I have a 3.2 GPA unweighted, I will have been a cheerleader for my school for 4 years, and my parents both graduated from Penn State, with my mother also being an undergrad on top of that. I haven’t taken my ACT or SAT tests yet; I will next year, but can anyone tell me anything else I can do to increase my chances of getting in when I apply, and if this is an okay GPA to be accepted at?! I am very very worried and help would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
Try to find an area or focus you are interested in and find extracurriculars similar to it. For example, if you wanted to be a doctor, volunteer at hospitals, join a club or join scioly. Also, try to work on getting your GPA a little higher. If school is a struggle maybe try some summer school courses in the classes that are difficult for you? As a sophomore you have time before applying to college so use that time to develop your interests.
Penn State doesn’t give much consideration to ECs, if at all. The best thing you can do to increase your chances at Penn State is to raise your gpa and get a solid score on your standardized tests.
I would try to bring up your GPA seeing as Penn State’s main campus, University Park, is very competitive. You should also take as many honors and AP classes possible so that it shows the college that you are challenging yourself throughout high school. If you are going to add any EC’s make sure you show commitment and dedication to them. It does help though that both of your parents are alumni too. Best of luck!
Penn State is a strictly by the numbers school for the most part. GPA is 2/3 of the decision and Test Scores And Other Factors are the last 1/3. So Other Factors are things like legacy (though it counts, it doesn’t count for much unless you are a borderline student), extra curriculars and etc…You can look at the PSU common data set to see what things they look at for an application and what is considered and what isn’t. https://budget.psu.edu/CDSRedesign/cds.aspx?reportindicator=FreshAdmn&Location=UP&AY=20162017
The best advice would be to bring up your GPA and get good test scores. If you look at the middle 50% of accepted students, the closer you are to the top of both the GPA and the test scores, the more likely you are to get in. Also, the major applied for can be a HUGE factor. Some majors require a much higher GPA than going undecided. Keep up the work and when you apply at the start of your senior year, come back here and ask if the major you selected fits your GPA and test scores. We will be able to better advise you at that point. But in general, higher GPA, higher test scores, better chance!
Penn state wants a high GPA in a rigorous program.
It means 5 academic classes each year preferably honors and AP (any mix).
For Engineering, business, and IST you need to have completed pre-calculus, preferably honors, although for engineering calculus is a good idea.
4 years each of history/social science, English, foreign language (extra points if you do more). 3 years of science including Biology, chemistry, physics at any level.
Note that this is not the minimum required: this is a standard curriculum to provide you with maximum odds if admissions. You may get admitted with less rigor if you apply dus or summer session.
GPA and curriculum rigor form 2/3 of the decision.
The last 1/3 is mostly test scores (the higher you score, the better). They consider your resume (where ec’s go) and your essay, but these are only cherry on the cake, you don’t get admitted for ec’s, those do 't offset low grades (not doing them however hurts you, so don’t forget them).
Finally, you are probably better off applying as DUS. It doesn’t affect your choice of major (regardless, you apply during sophomore year) and if you apply by November 30th your odds will be much greater than if you miss that deadline.
My friend was rejected from UP but accepted into one of their other, less competitive campuses. Her GPA was a 3.48 or 9 weighted on a 5.0 scale. Her unweighted GPA is expected to be much lower but I don’t know her exact the exact number (most likely lower than yours). Her ACT score was a 26 and her SAT is 1120. She did a couple AP and a few honors, not many EC. So, I think you definitely have a chance of getting admitted into the overall school, but UP I think you would have to bring up your GPA to at least a 3.3 or 3.4 UW to get into UP. Aim for decent scores on you SAT/ACT (over 1000/25).
I got into UP. I have a 3.9/5.0 UW and a 3.6/5.0 UW. My SAT score was a 1200 and I got a 26 or 27 on ACT. (I only sent my SAT tho). I have a ton of EC. But I wont be attending UP b/c I got into my 2nd choice (BC!)
My advice: Just bring your GPA as much as you can and do well on your tests (whichever you take). I think you will have a great shot getting into the school but you will have to work a little harder for UP. Dont worry if you dont get into UP at first! I talked to a rep from PENN and he said that a lot of people dont get into UP, but you can always transfer into UP after 2 years. The other campuses are tight knit communities (because it’s muuchhh smaller) so that’s always a plus.
Good luck!!!
I’m a student at Penn State right now and was admitted with a 3.2 GPA and a 30 on my ACT. I 100% believe that my ACT score is the main reason I was admitted. Try to get your GPA up in the next two years, and if you can, take some honors classes or APs (you don’t have to, but it could help you look better by taking a more rigorous schedule). Prep for your ACT/SAT as much as you can- you only take those exams a few times in your life, it won’t kill you to try really hard on them. PSU cares mostly about the numbers. When it comes to applying, apply AS SOON AS POSSIBLE because with the rolling admissions, spots start to get filled up early and you likely have a better chance early in the process. Apply to DUS because that would probably be easiest to get into, Smeal is the hardest to get into! Good luck, and don’t stress too much this early. Be your best self, work as hard as you can, and the rest will follow. Hope you get in, it’s amazing here!
Would meterology at penn be a higher end gpa requirement or like a 3.6
If your main goal is to get in, then you have to put down for summer and undecided. Make sure when you do take SAT to be at least 1250+. If you can raise you GPA then do so but you do still will have a good chance i would say 50/50 depending on your SAT ofc, I feel most likely that you want to be admitted to main campus and so you got have a 3.3+. 3.2 put you in a danger type zone for branch campus. (My friend got admitted to main with a 2.9 but a 1540 on new SAT…)
Meteorology would require a 3.75+. It’s one of the top 5 in the country.
Also, Penn = Private school in Philly. Penn State = public flagship for the state of Pennsylvania.
If you want to get in, apply DUS Summer session.
@Kingly71: I’m guessing your friend had extenuating circumstances to explain the 2.9, too. Typically a 3.5 is required for Main Campus.