The acceptance letter says that the student is admitted to College of Engineering with INTENDED major of Computer Science. Aside from that, there is no mention of “intended major” or “pre-major” on the application status page. Everywhere it lists computer science as major.
So, I called the admissions office and I was told that ALL first year students are admitted to pre-major. Does anyone here know if this is true? Or, some students do get direct to major admittance?
This is correct, except for a few select direct admit programs like nursing at UP. Most students will need to take a series of courses (entrance to major requirements) and achieve a certain grade on those courses. Some majors also require a minimum GPA. That’s why it doesn’t matter whether you apply direct to the major or DUS. Students in either can complete the same entrance to major requirements and get into the major. This premajor category isn’t uncommon.
@Sophley Thank you for the response. Do you go to PSU UP? If so, I have a question on housing that I could ask you via PM if you don’t mind.
I wonder what happens to students who fail to meet ETM requirements after end of 4th semester just because of low grade in one course? Which major would they declare then?
May have to choose IU Bloomington with direct admit to CS although I prefer PSU for computer science.
This is absolutely true. With the exception of Nursing, Golf Course management and some of the majors in arts and architecture, no one at penn state is in a major unless they complete the entry to major requirements. The entry to major requirements for CS are:
Courses required with a grade of C or better:
CMPSC 122
MATH 140 and 141 and 230
PHYS 211 and 212
Assuming that your student meets those, they’d be admitted in the major. If a student falls short, then they declare a different major which the advisors help them do. Usually it’s a close major. It’s not different than a lot of colleges that have minimum grades to STAY in the major. Instead, you get the grades to get INTO the major and then in most cases it doesn’t matter so much after that what your grades are. Potato/Potato
As far as housing, there is a long thread at the top of the Penn State forum that says “let’s talk about housing” that should answer any questions you may have!
@jlhpsu Thank you. You raised a good point about staying in the major requirement. I will have to look into that. I thought the requirements are only for graduation.
I did read a lot of posts in that housing thread. I had a very specific question on getting a single room. Which hall allows single room to freshmen and out of those which hall would be better. I have gone through all the hall choices but I wanted to get an opinion from those who are / were there.
@xceptionunhandle I am in same dilemma too. Direct admit to major is important. Were you able to find out how
easy it is to get into major of our choice? esp for CS
Above all – I think it’s best to talk to someone in the College of Eng department for clarification
– My response:
From what I understand based on this thread and PSU website, students admitted to college of eng. in intended CS major will take the same courses and they have to maintain 3.0 cumulative GPA (after 3rd semester - based on min credit required to declare CS major) and min C grade in 5 courses.
I don’t see anything that would suggest that even after satisfying these requirement CS major may not be granted (like TAMU does).
First-Year Students Entering Summer 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019
In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, students must satisfy the following requirements:
- 40-59 cumulative credits (credits completed at Penn State for which a quality letter grade was earned)
- completed with a grade of C or better: CMPSC 122 or CMPSC 132, MATH 140, MATH 141, MATH 230, PHYS 211, and PHYS 212
- earned a minimum of 3.00 cumulative GPA
It’s important for you to understand the Entrance-to-Major (ETM) process to help you avoid missing the opportunity to qualify for your intended major.
Entrance to a major does not happen automatically. You must actively request your intended major once you have completed 40 or more cumulative credits at Penn State and before you complete more than 59 cumulative credits at Penn State.
They talked about this a bit when I attended Accepted Students Day. I think everything @xceptionunhandle said looks correct. You’re technically not admitted to the major until after your second year, provided that you meet the GPA requirement.
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I don’t see anything that would suggest that even after satisfying these requirement CS major may not be granted (like TAMU does).
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Yeah, I think they said that if you meet the requirements, you’re in. The Director of Advising for the Department of Engineering said something along the lines of “if you meet the requirements but we don’t have enough space, we’ll have to figure out how to fit you in”