Maybe some applications have been under review for months because penn state does indeed state they take a “holistic” approach ?
It has been mentioned here by some that penn state doesn’t take a “holistic” approach to applications
Searching On psu website, under application evaluation, “holistic” approach to applications “considering many factors” is mentioned several times, though gpa is still most important
Also I noticed Specifically on the faq for EA, it is explained that only an answer is promised by 12/24 to all EA
And that one answer possible is deferred to regular decision deadline 1/31
so that applications can be reviewed in broad pool of applications
In order to make consistent decisions
I’m paraphrasing but if anyone is interested it’s on the psu website under EA FAQ and application review has holistic mentions
I guess for many applicants being viewed holistically and not just as a number is a positive
So we can take comfort from that
My d isn’t on bubble number wise or EC, but it may be just all the time we are waiting is what it takes to consider in broader pool even though EA
She isn’t one who popped up because of very high stats and got a quick answer even though applied later, which is what got me frustrated
but she is the upper range where i guess there are thousands like her ? waiting too
EA faq also says no advantage to applying EA for first choice campus and major
So we who wait (since August for us) should prepare for the very real possibility we can still be deferred to decision group by 1/31
And that it doesn’t mean anything negative, just part of this random but holistic process
Peace out
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@replyback , approx 60% of PSU alums go through 2+2 program. UP is massive and the 300+ student lecture hall isn’t the right learning environment for everyone. There is zero hand holding and students have to be extremely proactive to find resources to get help. Some kids consciously make the decision to start in a smaller environment because it MAY give them more 1:1 attention with professors. In theory, this can help them get through the weed out courses in STEM and business…and possibly achieve a higher GPA which is needed to officially declare the major. UP kids who struggle and don’t make the GPA requirement end up having to change majors.
I have seen and heard sad stories of kids who made straight As in high school and couldn’t handle seeing Cs, Ds or lower on tests. Kids whose stats are on the bubble and want engineering or business may do better starting at a branch campus because that is where they are more likely to be successful and grow.
All that being said, every student experience is different. Some 2+2 kids may complain that the commonwealth campuses lack extra tutoring services (google LionTutors) compared to UP, but all in all, I’ve heard more positive comments about the 2+2 experience. Could be that those same kids weren’t terribly proactive in seeking out help and then complained to their parents that no help was available.
Students going to UP just need to understand that they will be challenged (more so than high school) and that college life is a full-time job so from week one they need to hit th ground running.
Has anyone who applied EA (before Nov 1) hear back that they were accepted to UP to the summer session? Just wondering if the EA decisions will include acceptance to summer or if they will be deferred to Jan 31st decision.
According to people on this thread some Early Action applicants have gotten into summer already(on the Penn State accepted students Facebook group). @hockeylife
Gosh what has happened here? This is for discussions not arguments. Try to remember this is a waiting, and yes many have sounded like they have “all the answers”. I have numerous family from PSU, one junior, one graduate now med student, and one son just accepted. I have many opinions about what happens, but I won’t say I know your Kid or friends kid don’t have a chance of acceptance. Try to offer solid information, but don’t make people feel worried unless you’re in admissions.
Once and for all - Let me make it clear to all reading, No one here has EVER claimed to be from admissions. We give advice and information from questions presented here, based on lots of experience, and years of data watching and research here and other places…but you can take it or leave it. It’s just advice and it’s not a sure science. Which we’ve said many times. That being said, do not ask for advice if you are going to get angry at the replies. Sometimes people just like to “shoot the messenger” if the details provided are not what the poster wanted to hear. Some of the posters here are professional college counselors. Their info is extremely valid.
Nobody is here to make anyone worried. The opposite in fact. Everyone here that gives advice is rooting for every single poster to get accepted. And the advice we offer is to that end - giving people the best shot with the least risk of denial. That’s the goal. That’s it.
8 days for everyone until they hear something - I’m not sure I like the EA process and it seems to have heightened expectations and tensions from other years. I am sincerely rooting for every single poster here to get admitted in the next 8 days. Good luck!
@amomoffour in my opinion what happens here is that when a casual or new menber reads advice one doesn’t know the source
If Someone might have psu in their user name, it may appear to be an admissions rep, even though it’s not the intent to do so
especially when the advice given is presented in a very authoritative tone, that’s what I thought when I first joined in to cc, how would I know otherwise?
If someone has psu coupled with “mom” or “dad” then it’s more obviously a parent offering opinions based on personal experiences
I wish that every post offering advice would make clear “in my opinion” or “in my experience” rather than many posts which read as fact rather than opinion or speculation based on the past, especially now that EA is brand new
Like some have said psu Doesn’t use holistic approach when psu admissions website says several times they use holistic approach, that’s confusing
Unless a member reads pages of posts, they may not know who is what and with what authority they give advice
That is my opinion, in the hope that clarity and civility will follow
Just like their Rolling Admissions really is “Modified Rolling”, their “holistic” is “modified holistic”. The holistic matters in two ways 1) as part of the 1/3 that isn’t GPA+curriculum rigor: 1/3 is test scores, essay, resume, anything else and it’s not all weighted the same, in fact no one knows for sure how that 1/3 works. 2) in relation to the college and major you’re applying for.
Hey guys, just a heads up. I’ve decided to remove myself from the forum champion role and have asked for that designation to be removed and to return to being just a member who’s in charge of nothing and no one. I’m stepping away for a while - I will return after a period of time in which the thought of logging on here doesn’t bring me stress. The role will be shortly available for any long term member who’s interested.
I truly wish you all very good news in the coming days. See you on the flip side…
@MYOS1634 thanks. It all seems mystical and complicated but I’m sure all will turn out as it should !
In the end psu admissions will answer direct questions when emailed, I have gotten answers within a day
And their website has tons of info direct from the source so that’s our best resource for accurate info
Only a few days left to answers. Fingers crossed and good luck to us all who wait ?
As y’all endure this last bit of EA waiting, remember that a “deferred to regular admission pool” or whatever they will call it does not mean you are getting a “no”. Think of EA as just raising your hand to promise to have all your paperwork done by the EA deadline, and PSU promising to get to as many of those decisions first as they can. Deferred just means they ran out of time. You just do you
PSU is a great school, but not a perfect one. Don’t let your student think it’s the only good choice, don’t forget it isn’t about getting IN, it’s about getting OUT.
And …no, if you agreed to Summer, and you are offered Summer, you can’t change to fall because you have a job/familyreunion/internship/vacation you’d rather be at. In the past, only very unusual circumstances have been allowed to switch. Good luck everyone!
Typically, “deferred” doesn’t mean they couldn’t get to the app, but that your application was not so strong that it stood out as a definite ‘yes’ but it was good enough that in the RD round it’s got a good chance. Not sure if Penn State will do it ‘modified’ too.
@ziveli513 I think emailing admissions is a wise idea. I would continue to reach out to them with your questions since this forum hasn’t been the positive experience that we all hope and strive for. Ultimately, the posters on here do their best in providing information. Even though there aren’t any official admissions counselors here (and I don’t believe anyone attempts to represent that they are), many of them have been through the process multiple times and have insight.
It saddens me that this thread has ended up this way. I apologize if I contributed to any of the ugliness. It certainly wasn’t my intent.
@lucyvanpelt thanks, all is well, peace to you too
I think many questions posted here can be best answered by emailing admissions directly
And admissions replies within a day, very helpful
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@jlhpsu, you are an amazingly dedicated volunteer and a wealth of knowledge. Emotions have been running high on this thread this cycle, and I think you have handled it like a champ. Please don’t be gone too long.
Shout out to @jhpsu!!! I’ve watched you tirelessly, selflessly post encouraging, genuine, informative, many times reiterative, posts for years! Job well done. I hope your kiddos are still enjoying PSU! We are!
@ziveli513 In my opinion, and based on my experiences as an alumni, a parent of a current student, and work experience in Admissions (NOT at Penn State)… also, please note that the NOT is NOT shouting, it is emphasizing for clarity since I cannot bold…
that Penn State admissions is NOT (again, not shouting, just emphasizing) holistic in the truest sense of the word. Quite honestly, they just don’t have the data from each individual student to be truly holistic.
I believe (my opinion that I am sharing) that Penn State’s use of the word “holistic” is with regards to academic GPA. They attempt to normalize each student as to make comparisons valid. This is why a 3.6 from one school is not equal to a 3.6 from another school. And also why “chance me” threads are so incredibly difficult.
When I think of holistic admissions, I think about :
academics (Penn State reviews)
Recommendation letters (Penn State does not consider)
Extracurricular activities (Penn State may consider)
Application Essay (optional and may or may not be read)
Demonstrated interest (Penn State does not consider)
Interview (Penn State does not offer)
I think to hang your hat on it being a holistic process (I’m not saying you are doing this, but just wanted to share my opinion), is to offer false hope and is somewhat misleading. In my opinion, they are a numbers-based admissions process. Hopefully it works in your favor!
Just wanted to share my thoughts on this - I know it was a few pages back, but wanted to clarify how someone else may interpret the data.
(for most)