GPA: 94.7/100
SAT:1170/1600 Math: 600 Reading + Writing: 570
Major: Civil Engineering
5 honor classes
3AP classes
4 years in robotics club
3 years in track and field
2 recommendation letters
Thanks for any Help
I think your current SAT scores are too low for engineering at PSU University Park. Are you planning to study and retake the SAT or study and take the ACT? You might be accepted to Penn State Harrisburg with your current scores. Penn State Erie (Behrend) has a good engineering school but doesn’t offer a Civil Engineering major.
You have the gpa but not the SAT. Thinking of taking the SAT again? Is Civil your only option? Penn state also has the earth and mineral college and it has a few engineering programs
I am planning to study and retake the SATs but have not prepared to take the ACTs
Civil engineering is my first option, and architectural engineering would be my second option. But I would only switch to architectural engineering if I really have to.
I’d try taking the ACT, and studying really hard for both the ACT and SAT in order to improve your score. Good luck!
Apply Summer and choose your branch campus carefully (for your major, Altoona or behrend) as you’re likely to get a branch campus.
Will you have taken physics (honors, AP 1 or AP C) and Calculus by the end of senior year?
Aim for 680+ on the math section of the SAT to avoid branch campus and have a shot.
@MYOS1634 Harrisburg may be the best choice of branch campus, as it is the only branch campus which offers an ABET-accredited civil engineering major. Of course, if the OP is planning on the 2+2 option, Altoona or Behrend would be fine as long as they offer the needed entrance to major courses.
I assumed OP wanted UP. But if they want any campus then yes Harrisburg is the best choice for civil engineering.
I’ve read more than once about engineering students at UP being told only 1 in 3 aspiring engineers (students who start in the program) will end up graduating with their engineering degree. Supposedly this was told to students one year at orientation. Even if exaggerated, you have to question how rigorous a program is that weeds out almost 2/3rds of its students. To officially declare your major in engineering, you have to get beyond the initial courses and maintain a decent GPA. Sounds easier than it is. If you are 100% sold on being an engineer, I wouldn’t encourage you to go to UP unless your stats are really high and you’ve taken AP Calc and AP physics before coming to UP…and excelled in them. You could potentially have to transfer out if you don’t make the grades. The other option would be to go to Harrisburg all four years, where you’ll still be challenged but will have access to smaller class sizes and will have a better shot at actually graduating with that Penn State engineering degree. If you only kinda think you may want engineering, might as well retake SAT (get above 1250), indicate a willingness to start in summer and apply to DUS (undecided) and work toward the engineering entrance to major requirements. Just my two cents. PSU UP isn’t the place to over-reach for engineering. Too easy to get chewed up and spit out…could require repeat courses and online summer classes…or an expensive 5th year. Good luck with your application! Just remember that 60% of grads start at a branch campus. It’s actually a smart strategy to go that route for some majors.
Thank you guys so much.
All engineering at state schools weed out and have minimum requirements. With my eldest at Michigan state it’s the same… you just need to study that’s what he keeps saying… if you party every weekend for an engineer that’s a downfall like it or not…