S21 submitted his SAT. His score was right at the 25% cutoff - much stronger in math. We debated whether or not to send. In the end, we felt it was important to show that he falls within their range. He won’t improve their numbers, but he’s capable.
Just a quick post about timing of hearing acceptances.
- The deadline was just yesterday. So anyone that heard before the deadline was a clear admit and at the end of the pool. Admissions needs to understand where the proverbial "line" will be for candidates. It will be harder this year due to : test scores vs. no test score, yield unknowns, and just general chaos.
- Also, there are difference factors that come into play for decisions. => For example, the School of Engineering Admissions guy may be a wily veteran and have years of experience and be able to pop out answer quickly. Which may mean he does them soon, or that he holds them all. (not real life, just a hypothetical) => Applicants come from different high schools that Admissions counselors may or may not be well versed in. => Without test scores, they may be doing a deeper dive into candidates to look at rigor. They. may read more optional essays and look at activities. All because they are looking for more information for each candidate.
If you hear early (anytime before Dec. 23rd), I would count it as a blessing. Just because someone else hears earlier than you, it means absolutely nothing. Maybe it was an alpha sort? There is no rhyme or reason - I’ve lived through it.
TL/DR?
- answers may take a while. more decision points.
- don’t be a monkey on crack checking portal just because a friend heard.
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Excellent points @CSJA2025 @STEM2017
Thanks for helping me reign in my thought process. Getting jumpy in the eleventh hour, and the perceived tone of Saturday’s mailing threw me for a loop. Nothing to do now but trust in our decisions and hope for the best. Good luck to your kiddo’s!
@CSJA2025 thoughts on when admissions looks at all the students applying from the same school - where the school offered both in school/school day SAT and ACT for only seniors/ Cof21 and some still do not submit scores…why are there no scores? You had a chance to take it – to take BOTH actually. I’m hearing kids still withholding because they still can’t hit 1500!
I wonder how admissions will handle/review/make of this sort of reality.
(this is not limited to PSU - but any and all schools where more than one student from the same high school is applying)
I don’t know anyone here who wasn’t able to take the tests at least in October, I know a lot of people who didn’t submit them though due to lower scores. I’d love to know how AOs are evaluating that, especially if they know kids in that area have had ample opportunity to take the tests.
The truth is…no one knows. Not even the AOs. This is uncharted territory for most admissions offices. They are dealing with so many factors for the first time ever.
-Test optional for the first time
-A wave of deferrals from the previous year
-Many unsatisfied current students who have transferred out or are considering a transfer
I asked these questions at every admissions session and always get a different answer - which, to me, means they have no idea. It’s a real-time learning process for them.
The admissions office is surely working with other admin offices to manage this crisis, not only for this year, but also for the past and the future.
S21 also asked those questions and got different answers so I agree with you on this point.
I don’t think at least for outside of PA, a college counselor would be able to pass judgement (or should) on a kid who didn’t submit test scores. My DD has 6 SAT/ACT cancelled, and the last two that were cancelled, they were giving it at a few schools around her, but the school she was signed up for cancelled last minute, and SAT/ACT wouldn’t let you change. We were SICK of preparing and cancelling. TIRED of dealing with the morons at College Board. And my DD was stressed enough and we spent about $600 on test prep classes twice to have it cancelled. There was no rhyme or reason in our area of what was cancelled and what wasn’t. And certainly has not been opportunity to re-test to increase score.
And so the EA time came and we submitted without. With PSU always being 2/3 Grades and Rigor, we know we are rolling our chances, but she has a 3.99 Weighted and 7 Honors/Dual classes so we submitted.
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Agree 100%
Totally agree , it was like nightmare I had my S17 tests cancelled since Jan few times in NJ , finally we booked 120 miles away in PA that was cancelled in last minute with out even email and luckily another friend told about different school available in PA
I felt so bad my son drive up 120 miles take him SAT end of august , not sure what went through my Son. He was able to score mid range or PSU very high on maths. But it’s like total chaos of taking tests and not sure AO or anyone understand situations lot of folks went through we can’t even express this in application ?
I think they understand. I also think that the weighting of standardized tests in the application process has dropped dramatically this year.
But S21 has no acceptances yet, so my attitude might change dramatically, lol.
My advice to all would be to not read too much into anything. Penn State has always weighed GPA and class rigor more than SAT/ACT. In the majority of cases, the test scores don’t really add that much information. I have 2 kids with similar GPA’s (~3.8uw) and similar course rigor (8-ish AP’s, the rest honors). One got in 2 years ago with a 1230, the other just got in with a 1440. High school record has always mattered most for Penn State.
This year, schools realize that even if a kid is able to take the SAT, the environment they’ve been in since March may be pretty sub-optimal. My philosophy has always been that if a test score can show proficiency where grades don’t, then they have some value. Otherwise…people tend to put way too much stock in them.
I couldn’t agree more! We had 5 cancelled in a row, couldn’t get a seat for the 6th and spent endless money and time on a tutor all for not. Pretty unfair to say “everyone had a chance” not really!
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I received this email today, but did not apply to the Honors college… anyone else?
Thank you for starting your application to the Schreyer Honors College. This email confirms that you have begun the application process and is a reminder of what is needed to complete it. In order to review your application for admission to the Schreyer Honors College, we must have the following on file by the final application deadline of December 4, 2020 at 11:59 PM EST:
A complete Schreyer Honors College application, to be completed on MyPennState.
A complete Penn State application.
Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). This document, which you will submit as part of your Penn State application, will serve as the academic record used for reviewing your Honors College application. An additional transcript is not needed or required.
Two required letters of recommendation up to a maximum of four (submitted either online or by email attachment through a unique email to SchreyerLOR@psu.edu).
Our admissions decisions will be released in mid- to late- February. We will email you an exact date, time, and a link to our website to view your decision once we finalize the specifics. Please be sure to check your email frequently until then, since that will be our primary way of communicating with you throughout the application process.
Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding any questions you may have. We wish you the best as you go through the selection process.
@notstuy I got the same thing and did not apply to the honors college or even start the application.
@notstuy @“Pau_pack@2021” sometimes if you even opened the link for the Honors College, it shows as “starting” it. Even if you just opened to look at the questions.
Or… maybe their software has a glitch and every person who submitted (via PSU portal or the common app… or one of the two) an application was coded as “starting the SHC app” and got that email. I wouldn’t read too much into it.
@lucyvanpelt
Does this email means , will it effect the regular admission decision ? Once we start the honors applications don’t want submit will it effect the regular decision?
I don’t see a option to cancel the application
@NJcollege2021 it will not effect the regular decision and to ease your mind you can reach out to your assigned admissions officer and let them know of your intentions. they were very kind and appreciative of everyone today, who reached out to ask why they got that email in the first place.
ACT: 30
SAT: did not submit but I think it was 1360
GPA: 4.7 weighted
Rank: NA
State Residency: Ohio
Applied date: early October
Applied Early Action: YES
Decision date: November 16, 2020
Decision/College: Accepted Architecture
Campus: university park
Daughter accepted…did get that letter on Friday about should hear soon.
@PfromOhio and anyone else that got accepted… did you get a email or did you just happen to check your portal? Also congratulations!!