<p>My daughter applied 9/1 and her status updated to her "application is complete" a few days later. She currently has the status of "We are reviewing your credentials. A decision will be available here as soon as one is made". </p>
<p>I understand that the priority deadline is 11/30, but I always thought since it was rolling admission that they considered them in the order in which they were received and that perhaps we might hear in late October or November. I tweeted at PSU Admissions yesterday and they responded today saying that a very small percentage of people hear before January, but that most people who apply prior to November 30....regardless of WHEN prior...hear in January sometime. I'm very glad I asked because in a couple of weeks I would have been checking her status constantly, lol! Now we will just "relax" and wait. (Relax is sarcastic, because PSU is my daughters one and only choice and the only place in which she's applied!). </p>
<p>My daughter is borderline for fall UP, but seems to be solid for summer admission based on what the admissions counselors told us. (3.4 UW, 3.6 W(?), 28ACT, honors classes, college classes, great EC, volunteer work, etc..) She is also a legacy applicant as both her dad and I graduated from PSU UP. She applied DUS with option of summer. Altoona is her distant third choice. </p>
<p>My question is this...Does anyone know in what order they DO consider applications if not by timeline? Perhaps DUS students first (or last?) or legacy status or grades/scores etc...? Is it all just random or does no one actually know? I reviewed the acceptance thread from last year and it is apparent that while 2/3 of the decision is grades and 1/3 is testing, there are obviously other factors taken into consideration, because the acceptance and denials were all over the place. They were not straight in line with "stats". I am just trying to make rhyme or reason for admissions timelines and overall decisions. Perhaps that's just a exercise in frustration because there is no answer!</p>
<p>I am new to the Penn State application process as our senior D is our oldest child. Here’s what I’ve heard. Please take it with a grain of salt as it’s all hearsay from other (experienced) parents. Kids with very strong or very weak applications usually hear within three weeks or less. Everybody else has to wait. PSU will consider all the remaining applications they have received prior to November 30 as one group. </p>
<p>That said, my D’s school requires all Penn State apps to be in before October 1, so they must feel there is some advantage to having it in sooner rather than later.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply. I also would assume that there is a benefit to applying early, but I’m not sure what it is! I just wish I could figure out a rhyme or reason for the admission process…I have four kids, but my senior is also my oldest…so this is new to me as well. </p>
<p>Last year, my son applied Oct 1. We weren’t one of those lucky ones to hear early in late Oct or Nov.</p>
<p>We heard news on 1/17. The weekend going into MLK weekend ( btw, same week for the previous year as well) then thereafter the acceptances were done in batches. It seemed like by the “school of whatever.” It was a very long grueling, stressful time waiting and waiting. What a relief!</p>
<p>Status will change to “in the coming days.” from this point is could be hours to 3-4 days.
Other observations from last year were I noticed along with others waiting. (not 100%, but seemed pretty consistent) </p>
<p>The icon picture of UP changed to your alternative branch campus if you weren’t accepted at main.
The icon could stay the same but you could also be denied. It changed to the lion afterwards.
The computers seemed to be updated after 5pm, 7pm or 11pm. Some updates on the weekend, too.</p>
<p>Thank you for that @PERplexD! I’ll be checking now for the “in coming days” status. Sounds like there’s no point in checking throughout the morning and afternoon for a status change. </p>
<p>Thanks @PERplexD! i remember seeing your posts from last year because I reviewed the entire “class of 2018” admission decision thread! I remember hearing about the picture thing too. I have been checking every night for the next status which for us would be the “coming days” status. But since admissions tweeted at me that would probably not hear until January, I may start taking a few days off just for my sanity, lol. It is very stressful. We will be a “one and done” thing here…so it’s all I have to focus on. Not even other schools to think about! </p>