How hard is getting into a major In Physics, with 3.3 weighted gpa and 1270 SAT (Verbal 590, Math 680), 3 Recommendation letters, 116 hours of volunteering at a kids summer camp, working on a thermostat project, started a Physics club at High School, member at a Artificial intelligence club, NAHS and Computer Science Club, Academic excellence award in Spanish. Might get 40 more volunteering hours this year. Grades show mostly upward trend since 9th grade. Applying for Fall 2020
Physics can be a very difficult major, even for students with high stats. What kind of math have you taken so far? Most physics majors start with Calc-based physics. Did you try AP or IB physics in high school? How strong are your grades in STEM based classes? Eberly college of science at university park may not be as competitive as business, engineering, or nursing, but you still need above average stats to get in. If you aren’t totally married to the major, I’d encourage you to apply DUS and try out the first physics course. If your parents can afford it, you can also consider checking a summer start date. Just my two cents. Good luck with your application!
Why do you want to major in Physics - how familiar are you with calculus based physics? Have you taken calculus (ab? Bc?)
I second the idea of applying DUS.
I did ap physics 1 last year and ended up with 95 in the class. I am doing physics 2 this year. My highest math is regular pre calculus ? and regular stats. I mostly get high A’s in stem classes.
I want to major in physics because i want to work as a physicist or research scientist
Sai, I’m really sorry to hijack this thread, but I’m relatively new here and can’t PM yet on CC.
@MYOS1634 Is there any way you can PM me? I stumbled upon this thread
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/international-students/2009446-american-student-in-france-applying-for-colleges-in-the-usa.html
and I’m in the same boat. I kinda need to talk to you. Thank you so much!!
Sai, again, I’m super sorry 
@sai9999: how open would you be to a major that included Physics but isn’t straight up physics? Or could you financially handle a slightly modified first year schedule and a mandatory summer start?
High As in AP physics 1+2 are excellent predictors but not having calculus in HS is a problem. Is there any way you could take precalculus honors? Because precalculus regular is likely to mean you’d have to catch up in math before you can take physics for majors.
@ yungkaviar: sure, will do
I was thinking i would do calculus online starting Jan and finish by summer. I read that they need 1 unit in language and composition, i never took Ap english, what should i do?
You need 4 units of English that include composition and literature.
You also need 2 preferably 3-4 unite in Foreign Language.
You can’t start calculus until you’ve completed Precalculus. Can you switch to precalculus honors?
Isnt composition and literature Ap english?? I never took Ap english… Also do you think i could do calculus in summer
Yes, there’s an AP English composition and an AP English Literature, but they’re upgraded versions of the “typical” English classes, which should all include literature (reading poetry, classical novels, plays) and composition (= writing essays and papers).
This means that journalism, creative writing, drama… are considered electives in addition to the “core” English classes.
No, you can’t take Calculus for credit (nor any class for credit) after you graduate HS. What you CAN do is spend the summer learning from MIT’s OCW Calculus 1 class (covers what most universities cover in Calc 1+2) as well as from Khan Academy’s A math videos. But FiRST you need the more thorough background in precalculus as possible, which means taking Precalculus Honors.
Does it mean I have to take AP English?
NO. It means you need to have taken REGULAR OR HONORS English classes every year.
WHAT is your UNWEIGHTED GPA?
Its like 3.2/4. And weighted is 3.3/4
Given the difference between your weighted and unweighted GPA, I can only guess that you haven’t challenges yourself by taking a lot of weighted coursework – with the exception of your AP Physics class. This could be a concern to admissions if you are really hoping for university park.
If you add honors+AP courses, what total number do you get?
Have you taken bio, chem, physics?
3 years of a foreign language? Honors English? 4 units in History&Social science?
Tomorrow, #1 priority must be to switch to Precalculus Honors.
Unfortunately I cannot go up in level of a course only down. I took AP physics 1 and 2, Ap computer science, ap computer science principles, and ap Environmental Science. I never did honors or ap english. Actually I am not sure about unweighted gpa but my weighted is 3.3/4. I did Spanish 1 regular and honors spanish 2. Honors chem, regular bio, honors physics, honors alg 2, honors art 1, honors art 2, and honors geometry. I took regular world history, us history, economics, world geography and government.
So, you have 11 honors/AP (it’s factored into the decision).
Your odds are high that they’ll recommend a branch campus - for physics, Erie is probably the best.
You think i have a good shot at this college?
You have a good chance at Penn State Erie for physics but not Penn State UP for physics but perhaps DUS/summer.