Marketing major–4.0 GPA 1350 SAT (verbal 650 and math 700). AP scholar (AP Bio 4, AP Computer Science 4, AP Macro 3). Currently enrolled in AP Calc, AP Physics and AP Psychology.
My high school doesn’t rank but I am in NHS, Senior Class President, I have taken 5 years of a foreign language, and have done more community service than anyone I know. I have attended the Ronald Reagan Leadership camp in Simi Valley, CA, and was the HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation Leadership Seminar) ambassador, and I attended PFEW for business in the summer.
I got accepted into Abington and am devastated. Any advice?
Smeal is extremely competitive this year. Hearing about a 5% acceptance rate.
Did you check that you would attend summer?
I recommend you send an email to Admissions requesting reconsideration. You should change your major (to DUS - undecided - can still fill all entrance to major classes from there) and check summer session (if you will attend). (if you call the admissions number, they tell you EXACTLY how to send that email in - follow directions).
Of course, only do this if it is your top choice - don’t take a spot away from someone else just for the sake of pride.
Sorry to hear. The good news is with your stats, there are tons of b schools that will love you - and if cost is an issue - will come in, potentially at psu or even less.
You seem like a strong candidate. It seems like you have rigor. Maybe it’s the test score or something else…no way to know. Is your 1350 from one test or multiple (superscore). Per Penn State, they don’t superscore.
I agree asking for reconsideration or if you can change the major…don’t know how that works, if they allow.
Did you have four years English, three years of social science ? They appear required.
You’re a really strong candidate based on what you describe.
I can’t find info on appealing - but do what @lucy_van_pelt says and ask. If you truly want to study business and not take a chance later, there are many other great schools that would want to have you and many have very solid reps, as does Smeal.
If you want to look elsewhere, what discipline interested you in business?
Congrats on your record - it’s very good. You’ll land fine - if you take action now.
Reconsideration is not an appeal, it’s a simple process - email following phone instructions, asking “summer start” (if you can) and DUS or one of the Smeal associated majors (off the top of my head : IRL/HR: CLA+Smeal, Foreign Language&Cultures+Business: CLA+Smeal, Energy management: EMS+Smeal, Agribusiness: Ag+Smeam, Enterprise Tech : IST+ Smeal). ← These are probably less competitive at this point than DUS and most are offered UP only.
You can only pivot to Smeal only from DUS though.
Or if admitted elsewhere just shrug and love the school that loves you back
(Smeal is the most selective college at UP, only about 5% business majors are admitted straight from HS, others start as DUS.)
The 2+2 plan starts at a commonwealth campus. (Altoona, Harrisburg, Erie - Behrend are the largest). You would complete your pre-reqs and some gen eds there. As a junior, you move to UP campus to complete the final two years. You graduate from Penn State. It is relatively seamless.
I assume you applied to other schools and as @tsbna44 mentioned there are lots of good business schools that would accept you and give you merit to bring the cost close to PSU . Miami of Ohio Farmer and IU Kelly are two that come to mind.
A friend of mines son got into MIami Farmer with very similar stats. He got a 22K merit scholarship to bring the cost in range to PSU.
Also as @lucy_van_pelt mentioned lots of kids do the 2 and 2 from the branch campuses.
