Hello, I had some questions. Firstly, If I switched from engineering (got accepted to that) to DSU, would that work? I heard that if you switch to DSU, you can change your term. My situation is that I got accepted for Engineering for summer however I don’t see myself going in for the summer (graduation is the day before it starts, taking trips, etc.). So I wanted to know if I would be able to attend the fall term if I swapped to DUS. What is the difference between starting out as DUS and starting out as Engineering. Will everything still end up the same? Can I successfully switch over to engineering during my time in colllege? Will I still graduate with a bachelors at the same time? Basically, I want to know what is different if I go into DUS. Thanks for any help.
You have to contact Admissions and ask to be reconsidered for fall DUS, you can’t just switch yourself, especially from a summer admit to fall. It is unlikely (but not impossible) that you would be moved this late from summer to fall, but there’s no harm in asking. But I’d not get my hopes up.
DUS students concentrate on Gen Eds and take some specialized seminars in “deciding what to major in”. Engineering freshmen, I believe, are off to a fast start with Gen Eds but also Engineering pre-req classes (several posters here have students in engineering, and they will know). All DUS students are formally admitted to their major of choice as sophomores (spring semester) during Entrance to Major, assuming of course you meet requirements of GPA, etc… for that major.
Local seniors will have 4 days before summer session starts. That’s small gap is pretty typical, and not likely to be enough to move you to fall. Admissions is very competitive!
[every year this happens. Kids apply, desperate to get in so they say “yes! I’ll start in summer” and then they don’t want to. I don’t get this at all. Many, many students who were denied admission would love to give up a vacation to come to Penn State]
As a DUS you can take exactly the same courses as an Engineering major (possible exception might be the first year seminar). The classes your register for is up to you.
We attended an accepted students day a few days ago for DUS and they re-iterated what others have said. DUS does not hurt you. 80% of people change their major anyway. You cannot apply for a major until your 4th semester anyway and that goes for everyone - and the entrance requirements are the same whether you were initially accepted into the school of Engineering or you were DUS. Meaning, even if you were accepted into the college of Engineering, you haven’t actually been accepted into the major until the end of your Sophomore year, provided you meet the entrance requirements. DUS students have the exact opportunity to get accepted into the major as other students.
My D is attending for summer and is really happy about it. She will miss 6 weeks at home, but she gets to start at Main Campus - so it was an easy trade off for her. You have to decide if it’s a worthwhile trade off for you. I know of one student who got into summer and instead chose to go to Altoona so he would have his summer. Not what I’d do - but some do it. State College in the summer has many activities and festivals going on that are a lot of fun.
Remember that competition was fierce this year…even more so than other years…and many very qualified applicants didn’t get in for summer or fall start. I’d ask for reconsideration for fall and DUS, but if you don’t get it, I’d strongly consider going in the summer.