My son is a senior and wants to attend main campus. He received a 1300 on the new SAT. His UW GPA is 4.0. He has taken quite a few honors classes. I told him to apply now but he thinks he should want until November to see if he can improve his SAT scores. He is retaking the test on October 1. Do you have any advice for applying? Should he apply directly to Engineering or should he apply DUS? We are Pennsylvania residents and I am a PSU alum. Thanks!
I am in your boat! We are waffling over whether my son should apply DUS or engineering. Very similar stats…1310 on SAT, 30 ACT and 4.06 GPA. All IB classes. Very confusing. From what I understand there is no disadvantage really to applying DUS and gives them a better chance at getting into University Park. We are also indicating summer session as an option. Also live in PA.
First, it won’t hurt him whatsoever to wait until November to apply. As long as his application is COMPLETE by November 30, then he’s still in priority. Even if he applies now, the likelihood is he won’t hear until January anyway. My daughter applied DUS 2 years ago on Sept 2nd, and she still didn’t hear until the end of January. And we found out later, that it really doesn’t matter when you apply to UP campus as long as it’s before Nov 30.
As far as applying engineering vs DUS, there is usually no disadvantage for applying DUS. You can still work on all of the entry to major requirements as a DUS student. But, I would double check all of the entry to major requirements to make sure: https://advising.psu.edu/entrance-major-requirements-college-engineering-2017 You could also e mail someone in the engineering department to verify. Applying DUS is less competitive than applying directly to engineering. That being said, your son’s stats are pretty good. If he gets denied engineering, you could always ask to be reconsidered for summer and/or DUS. Or, just go straight to DUS and worry about transitioning later.
My daughter applied DUS and summer option and got into summer with a 3.5 GPA. She is now a sophomore and loving it. I am also a PSU alum 