I'm considering Penn State and I'd love to know more about the kind of students they usually accept. I'm talking GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, etc. I tried to find a breakdown but haven't had much luck. Anyone got some insights?
Penn State, like many large public universities, has a range of accepted student statistics due to the varying selectivity of its different campuses and programs. However, to give you a general idea, for University Park—the main campus—the middle 50% SAT score range of accepted students is approximately 1160-1370, and the ACT range is about 25-30. The middle 50% high school GPA typically falls between 3.55 and 3.97.
In terms of extracurricular activities, Penn State doesn't have a 'one size fits all' profile they look for. They ideally want to see a mix of activities, plus a high level of commitment, or leadership positions, in at least one or two. Those activities could include sports, the arts, work experience, community service, or summer programs.
While these are general guidelines, remember, each application is reviewed in the context of the individual student, so an exceptional personal statement explaining your growth, or a lackluster extracurricular profile but an especially rigorous course load, could boost a particular student's chances significantly. Plus, for a specific college or major, the stats may vary, so researching the department you're interested in could offer more precise information. I hope this helps give you an initial foundation though!
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