Do I have what it takes to get into Penn State?

Question

I want to pursue a career in medicine or chemistry-related. My GPA is around 3.87 and my SAT score is around 1800-1900. I haven't taken the ACT yet. I'm currently a sophomore and I live in Pennsylvania. My extra-curricular activities are FBLA, Environmental Club, and Stream Team (Stream Team is cleaning up local bodies of water). What are my chances of getting into Penn State?
I haven't had the opportunity to take any more difficult classes yet, but I plan to definitely take Honors English, AP English, and AP Biology. I'm considering AP Calculus and AP Phsychology also.

I know only Penn State can give me a definite answer, I'm just looking for any input anyone can give.

There's like 5 or so teachers at my high school who went to Penn State. I'm sure they would write letters of reccommendation for me. Do you think my extra-curriculars are good? I have no interest in sports really.

Answer 1

Youre chances sound good however nothing is ever certain.
My best friend had a 3.97 GPA ranked 3rd in our class (out of 435) good amount of extracirricular and did not get in...

Answer 2

If you continue on as you are, then you will certainly get into Penn State. As a PA resident and with those grades, I'm surprised that you would even be worried.

If you do as well in your AP classes as you have done so far, you can graduate with a GPA over 4.0.

I wonder why you have already taken the SATs as a sophomore. But if you improve by a hundred or so points and keep up your grades, then you can get into a much better university than Penn State. Don't get me wrong, Penn State is a great university -- but if you can get up to 2100, you would have a shot at an Ivy League caliber school -- or a better state university than Penn State (e.g., Berkeley, Virginia, Michigan, UNC).

Answer 3

I think you should get in, with your credentials. Make sure your letters of recommendation are in on time and write a very good essay.

EDIT: Well, I graduated in 2005 from University of Maryland, College Park, and applied to Penn State my senior year of high school, 2001. I didn't get in, which was surprising, since I got into Maryland. My gpa was 3.2 and my SAT's were 1280 (now that would be a 1700 or something, with the new scoring). The problem was, I didn't get my recommendations in on time, along with my application package. I sent them in later.

The fact that your recommendation writers went to PSU, and the fact that you are a resident of Pennsylvania both increase your chances. They like in-state people. Also, your extracurriculars look great. Make sure you take those honors/ap classes. I was premed too, and those high school science classes really help prepare you. Good luck! :)

Answer 4

Yes, you should be able to get into Penn State. Look at the admissions policies of PSU to see for yourself that you should qualify.

Middle range of students at PSU:
GPA: 3.46-3.87
SAT: 1160-1340
ACT: 26-30
The ranges in the chart represent the middle 50 percent of students offered admission for fall 2006--they are not cutoffs or averages. As you can see, you will be in the upper range of students based on your GPA and SAT. Many students have scores way below these middle averages. Since this is a state univ., it is a little easier to get into than a private univ., but because of your high scores, you will be given your choice of campuses and you will be able to choose the major that interests you.

If you are still in high school, try to set up an appt. with an admissions counselor ASAP and work with your high school counselor at planning all your courses for the remainder of high school.