🍦 Today's Scoops Sep 9: Being Authentic in Your Essays

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. School of the Day: Penn State University

2. Admissions Blueprint: Being Authentic in Your Essays

3. EC Essentials: Your Guide to Hackathons

SCHOOL OF THE DAY
Penn State University

Every day, we cover a different school, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.

📍 Location: Centre County, Pennsylvania
🎓 Undergraduates Enrolled: 41,745
📊 Acceptance Rate: 55.2%
📝 Average SAT/ACT: 1310/29
💸 Tuition: $19,835 (In-state), $38,651 (Out-of-state)
📅 Admission Options: November 1 (Early Action), Rolling After November 1 (Regular Decision)
🏆 Top Ranking Programs: Undergraduate Engineering (#19), Nursing (#31), Business (#21), Economics (#20) (US News)
📈 Most Popular Majors: Engineering (15%), Business (15%), Computer Science (12%) (US News)

Pros

🏟️ Unmatched School Spirit:
Penn State’s Nittany Lions football games are legendary, with over 100,000 fans filling Beaver Stadium on game days. School pride is off the charts, making for an electric atmosphere.

🌍 THON – Largest Student-Run Philanthropy:
Penn State students organize THON, the world’s largest student-run philanthropy event. It’s an incredible experience, raising millions annually for pediatric cancer.

💼 Extensive Alumni Network:
With over 700,000 alumni worldwide, Penn State’s network opens countless doors for internships, jobs, and mentorships, giving you a leg up after graduation.

📚 Top-Tier Research Opportunities:
Penn State is a leader in research, offering numerous opportunities for students to work on innovative projects across various fields, from STEM to humanities.

🌳 Beautiful Campus and Arboretum:
The campus is not only picturesque but also home to the Penn State Arboretum, providing students with a tranquil place to relax and connect with nature.

Cons

🏙️ Isolated Location:
While University Park has a charming college town vibe, its rural location means fewer big-city amenities. You might have to travel a bit for major city experiences.

💰 Out-of-State Tuition:
For out-of-state students, Penn State’s tuition can be pricey. Financial aid is available, but the cost might still be a concern compared to other public universities.

🚶 Large Campus:
With a student population of over 40,000 at the University Park campus, it can feel overwhelming at times. Be prepared for long walks between classes and crowded spaces.

ADMISSIONS BLUEPRINT
Being Authentic in Your Essays

Writing college essays can feel overwhelming, but the key to success is authenticity. Admissions officers want to hear your voice, not a perfect version of it. Here’s how to stay true to yourself while crafting an essay that stands out.

🎯 Be yourself from the start
Colleges want to get to know the real you, so don’t try to mold your story into what you think admissions officers want to hear. Start with your own voice!

🔎 Focus on your unique experiences
The best way to stand out is by sharing personal stories only you can tell. Whether it’s a hobby, a challenge, or a quirky interest, let your individuality shine.

💡 Show vulnerability
Don’t be afraid to share your struggles or uncertainties. Authentic essays often come from moments of growth, failure, or self-reflection.

✍️ Avoid over-editing
While revising is important, be careful not to polish away your personality. Keep your natural tone and quirks intact, even if they’re imperfect. Remember, you’re a teenager; don’t be afraid to sound like one!

🌱 Write about what matters to you
Don’t feel pressured to write about big achievements if they don’t resonate with you. Essays that reflect genuine passion are more powerful than those that feel forced.

EC ESSENTIALS
Your Guide to Hackathons

Ever heard of a hackathon? It’s not just for coding wizards or tech enthusiasts—though, if you fit into either of those categories, you’re definitely in for a treat. But even if you’re not, a hackathon is a unique experience you shouldn’t miss.

So, What Is a Hackathon?: Picture this: a high-energy, often 12-48 hour event where people come together to brainstorm, design, and build something from scratch. Hackathons are typically focused on solving a problem or creating something innovative—whether it’s a new app, a hardware prototype, or a creative solution to a real-world challenge. The best part? You’re not alone. You’ll team up with other passionate individuals, combining your skills to tackle a project. 🛠️🤝

Why You Should Go:

1. Collaborate and Innovate: Hackathons are all about teamwork and creativity. You’ll have the chance to work with people from different backgrounds and skill sets, which can spark ideas you wouldn’t come up with on your own. It’s a melting pot of innovation where diverse perspectives come together to create something amazing.🌟

2. Learn on the Fly: Whether you’re new to tech or a seasoned pro, hackathons offer a learning curve that’s both steep and exciting. You’ll dive into hands-on projects, learn new tools, and pick up valuable skills in a short amount of time. Plus, you’ll often get guidance from mentors and experts who can provide tips and feedback. 📚🛠️

3. Network with Industry Pros: Many hackathons are sponsored or attended by industry leaders and companies. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase your skills, make connections, and even land internships or job offers. Networking at a hackathon can open doors and create opportunities you might not find elsewhere. 🌐🚪

4. Boost Your Resume: Participating in a hackathon can be a great addition to your resume or college application. It shows that you’re proactive, passionate about problem-solving, and capable of working under pressure. Plus, it’s a fun way to demonstrate your skills and achievements in a concrete project. 📄✨

5. Have Fun and Challenge Yourself: Hackathons are intense but incredibly rewarding. They push you to think outside the box, work fast, and solve real-world problems. And amid the long hours and brainstorming sessions, you’ll also find a community of like-minded individuals who share your enthusiasm and drive. 🎉🚀

Pro Tip: Come prepared with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a readiness to collaborate. Don’t be afraid to dive into a challenge or ask for help—hackathons are all about growth and experimentation. 🌟

So, if you’re looking for an exciting way to expand your horizons, meet new people, and push your creativity to the limit, a hackathon is the place to be.

Find upcoming hackathons near you here

LINK LOUNGE
Key Resources & Scholarships

In the Link Lounge section, you can find links to great resources such as scholarships during the college application process. These links can be really helpful and will be updated every Wednesday, so be sure to check back frequently!

The College Essay Guy Podcast - This podcast by Ethan Sawyer, a seasoned college counselor, provides great insights into the college application process. Currently, he is doing a series where he is recording and sharing his counseling sessions with one of his students, Cassidy.

Scoir - This platform provides great information on almost every single college you can think of. It is a great hub for finding out stats about each school’s academics and admissions.

College Application Notion Template - This great Notion template can help you organize all the work you need to complete for your applications. The author of the template also included a YouTube video explaining how to use the template.

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Important testing dates are coming up!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

September ACT: Saturday, September 14
University of Texas/UNC Chapel Hill Early Action Deadline: October 15
Most ED, REA & EA Deadlines: November 1

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
Have an idea for the newsletter?

Is there a question you’ve been dying to have answered related to college admissions? Or, is there something just nagging you about Scholar Scoops that you want to see fixed soon? We want to hear from you. You can submit feedback at https://forms.gle/7Rj2eBCiauEc5oNV8. Thank you so much!