@jakeybake this thread is called “2023 PSU waiting for decisions,” so people are free to discuss really anything about the college while they are awaiting a decision! There is another thread for decisions, but it is not this (:
@citymama9 : those essays are HARD and come on top of a heavy schedule. Kids who didn’t start over the summer have too much to do to handle them. I think many students and parents here empathize with your daughter!
If that can reassure you, Schreyer isn’t “nerdy”. They really try to have various personalities - although they want accomplished students, regardless of profile.
I think the essays are extra hard this year because the professors can’t read through so many essays. When one question was a 140-character tweet they must have received too many 
Also, the questions are chosen by current Schreyer students, I find that a nice touch, integrating the old students with the new.
I think Schreyer is worth it, if only for the smaller Honors classes during the first two years - there’s no obligation to “stay” in Schreyer, although having a good thesis can help with grad school and if no Schreyer, no Schreyer scholarship and special graduation/medal/etc.
@jakeybake separate thread is decisions only :). This thread is for those of us waiting who want discuss 
@blazinamazin2023 At this point I’d call admissions and see if you can change. If you can’t get through, send an e mail.
@ziveli513 The 11% comes from this website when a student was admitted two years ago and the parent reported back after orientation that they said only 11% were typically accepted. I’m sure that number changes every year but likely not significantly. The info about what it takes to get into Smeal is on the PSU website for entry to major requirements, but you are right that they don’t publish how difficult that is. My guess is they don’t publish it because then everyone would be applying DUS and there would be no room for actual DUS students. DUS is a back door into Smeal, but it’s also many, many kids first choice because they don’t know yet what they want to do.
That’s why forums like this are invaluable. Penn State isn’t going to tell you everything. But parents and other students who’ve been through it, will.
Yes thank goodness for this forum. But sad that so few have access to it
It’s really disappointing that penn state admissions isn’t more transparent on their own website
Tarnishes my perception a bit
This is a free and open forum. In 2018 there are many avenues for research. Many of the questions asked here can be found by googling. There is wealth of experience out there. I’ve said it before…Penn State will not hold your hand. Anyone with internet access can find out anything that they can learn here and other similar websites.
Not to mention college fairs and information events. Or call Penn State. The information is out there. If Penn State put every single nugget of information about their huge school and every single major, their website would be overwhelming imo.
Same goes for if your child becomes a student. They will have to seek out information. Such is life at a big school…any big school.
@jlhpsu Thank you so much for your help! I will do so right away. Have a great day!
Penn State is a terrific institution, and it’s admission process is not “tarnished” in any way. My son applied EA and we know we have to wait until 12/24 for a decision. We have found the process to be fair, and all our questions have been answered by phone calls or checking website. I don’t know if my son will be admitted, and yes my son and I will check portal a lot until 12/24, but he would be honored to be a Nittany Lion.
@jimmym I think a lot of parents feel as you do. The wait is brutal and I completely get frustration in waiting. I was a hot mess when I had to wait for my daughter’s acceptance because she ONLY applied to Penn State (not yelling there ) I was a crazy lady. But I was surely not rude to the people that tried to guide me during that trying time. Some people said things I didn’t like, lol…but i always tried to figure out where they were coming from and why they were giving me that advice. That’s all you can ask as you won’t agree with everyone. But sometimes you have to accept that some people just might know more than you! I have learned a ton from people here and I surely have more to learn. Sounds like you have the right attitude and that will go a very long way in ensuring your success at Penn State. They aren’t always easy, but they are fair! Best of luck!
@jlhpsu thank you for your posts, they have been extremely helpful and professional.
As a parent going through this process for the first time, it is extremely daunting and nerve wracking, your posts help with the stress when we start wondering why we haven’t heard anything, or was there something wrong with the application, etc.
There sometimes seems to be walls of texts with conflicting or contrarian statements, and constant second guessing, all which make an already stressful waiting period even worse for all of us first timers. You’ve been extremely patient through all of it and with everyone’s questions.
Your time and insight are very much appreciated!!
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Might I remind users that one of the key principles of this site is treating other users with respect. No name-calling or shade-throwing is allowed. Several posts deleted.
@ziveli513 I get your frustration.
Seriously, if you are frustrated by the “lack of transparency” and Penn State is “tarnished”, then if your kid goes there, it will be a long four years. Penn State is big. I have the following conversation with my D all the time … It goes something like this.
You will hear ‘no’ many times. You will hear it when you ask the question, However, if it is something you feel strongly about, then find a way to make it a ‘yes’. Go find a contact, ask a student in a class, ask a different professor, ask an adviser, ask an administrator. You will be amazed how many times you can do an end around, or come in a back door, or get where you want to go if you are willing to be determined and smart about how to do things. Don’t be afraid to ask. And ask again. Rinse, repeat.
Penn State will not spoon feed you. The fun of the big schools (football, THON, alumni network) will be tempered by the lack of fun of big classes, sections of classes you don’t want at 5pm, and not being selected for that group/fraternity/organization you applied for. All of these things - the wins and the losses - will make you stronger, smarter, and better. Because it reflects real life. You will be prepared - whether it be a graduate school environment or a competitive job market - to hit the ground running and succeed. There is a reason why Wall Street Journal named Penn State the top school by recruiters (yes, an older article, but they haven’t re-done the study).
Now, back to the “why don’t they tell us Smeal is harder to get into?” You didn’t ask the question? I don’t know.
Sometimes, you have to ask the hard questions. Many majors have a different admissions process - any direct entry major, for example. You don’t expect nursing stats to be the same? Different majors have different levels of competitiveness - that is true at any school. At Indiana University, it is harder to get admitted to Kelley than Liberal Arts. At University of Michigan, Ross is harder to get into. I’m sorry it isn’t the answer you were hoping for.
Good luck. I hope for your stress level, you hear good news soon! (btw, my experience is that the portal updated once/day at midnight, so I wouldn’t stress about stalking it.)
@jihpsu thank you for all you do. You truly are a wealth of information. I’m sending my kid to you when the next round of questions comes! ; )
@lucyvanpelt No surprise here, but you were reading my mind. Thanks!
Websites been down since midnight ?
ACT: n/a
SAT: 1360
GPA: 3.87 W
Rank: n/a
Extra: 3 APs, 2 varsity sports, heavily involved with DECA at my school
State Residency: OOS
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Male
Applied date: 11/1 (literally at 11:58 lol)
Applied Early Action?: yes
Decision date: hopefully soon
Decision/College: Smeal (Finance)
Campus: UP
The decisions thread is scaring me… everyone who I’ve seen (who applied to Smeal) has waaay higher stats than me. Also someone from my high school (who has better stats) was already accepted into Smeal for finance. I don’t want to read into this too much but does anyone think this hurts my chances?
@amomoffour, I just saw that. Shall we read between the lines? ;
@amomoffour I just got into my account… still nothing sadly
@jlhpsu : thanks for the shout out! (Just got the notice and realized it was 4 pages back…hadn’t seen it. This page is hopping!!)
To all parents: keep in mind students will need to show their ability to read through the lines, find shortcuts to a professor, find reliable information, stay motivated to get things done. That goes with the territory of attending a large university. A lot of the process is on the student because at such a large university, most people don’t know you and your case, don’t recall the question you asked three days before, etc. (unlike at a LAC where the adults know the students and thus have a different relationship to them).
@amomoffour @txmom2016 still nothing. At least we are one day closer to 12/24 ?
@lucyvanpelt my nhs kid is independent and tough and an excellent student @jlhpsu
I’m the neurotic one!
I have never contacted her school or teachers —-not my style and no need ever
and I know if she gets accepted and then chooses penn state she will thrive there. Without me! Lol
I’m the neurotic one, no need to throw shade on my d
But thanks for the concern, point taken