PENN STATE: (HS sophomore) PLEASE HELP

MYOS1634
Thu, 23 Mar 2017 00:05:50 +0000

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.