I am not a PA resident and was admitted to the PSU 2+2 program starting at a regional campus. Penn State is my top choice. Under this program, I would attend two years at the regional campus and then transfer to the main University Park campus for Jr. and Sr. years. Ideally, however, I would like to go all 4 years at the University Park campus. The sound of starting at a regional campus and then transferring to the main campus is not appealing, especially being an out-of-state student. Part of the college experience is the surrounding environment. While going two years to one campus and then transferring to the main campus may have benefits, I am intimidated at the thought of “starting over” socially after two years.
Does anyone have advice they could give me about possibly swaying PSU to allow me to start at the University Park campus?
• Is there a waiting list for the University Park Campus I could be placed on? I would not hesitate to commit to another school and forfeit deposits if later this spring I find I could attend University Park. Is it worth it to reach out to them and indicate I would like to be placed on such a list?
• Where I think I messed up is not having an “official” visit. For the last 5 summers, I have attended a weekly horse show hosted by Penn State’s equestrian horse barn. During these visits, I have become acquainted with the campus and many alumni. And during the Covid years, when it was difficult to do formal on-site college visits, I spent a weekend visiting the campus with my family during the school year. I don’t think PSU admissions have a good barometer of my vestment.
• Is there any benefit indicating financial aid will not be an issue?
• Is there any harm in simply writing a letter stating, “I really want to go to Penn State and will be a great student!”? If so, who should I direct this to? Are there regional recruitment/admissions officers we could contact?
Any assistance/advice would be greatly appreciated. I am sure all the regional PSU campuses are wonderful. But ideally, I would like to be at University Park for the full 4 years. After all, this is part of the PSU experience.
Marcus.
At this point, I don’t think there’s any way to get into UP for fall semester. What is your major? What are your stats (GPA, SAT/ACT)? What other schools accepted you?
You didn’t mess up - they just didn’t see you as meeting their needs of admission.
According to the CDS, PSU has a waiting list. But you have to be offered a waiting list to be put on it.
You didn’t mess up by not going - they don’t include Demonstrated Interest as a factor. Most publics, btw, don’t and maybe all. Some list they do but they don’t. PSU clearly doesn’t.
As they don’t meet need for OOS, financial aid is not a factor. They are need blind in other words - your finances did not impact your admission.
You can send a note to your admissions counselor - find them on line - and it will go unresponded or thank you but we gave you your options.
Here’s the reality - PSU didn’t admit you and it’s not because you did or didn’t do anything. They just didn’t see you as a UP student. Even if they have an appeal process, what basis do you have to appeal?
There are other schools out there like PSU and hopefully you have an opportunity at one of them - and if you don’t, some are still taking apps and easier to get into.
So here’s the reality:
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You made the biggest mistake kids make - you had a dream college. There is no such thing. There are bad roomies, profs, food - whatever. And the 2+2 - especially OOS - I wouldn’t do that. You might as well stay home and go to a community college.
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You need to learn to love back who loves you - so which school loves you? Where did you get in - and some are still taking apps til May 1 - an Alabama, Arizona both come to mind - and there’s more. To me Va Tech is most similar to PSU - but that’s an unlikely if PSU is. Bama is gorgeous and large although laid out different than PSU and Arizona is just super nice…but again there’s more or hopefully you got into one already. Ohio U may be another.
Good luck.
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93 average. I didn’t not submit scores. And perhaps that played a factor.
Thank you.
The biggest element is the major. So, what major did you apply to?
What campus were you offered?
There MAY be something to do about it depending on the major you applied to if you act quickly (ie., Monday).
Ability to pay doesn’t factor in and official tours don’t matter for Penn State so don’t beat yourself over the head about it.
Did you have 4 years of English, History/Social Science, and Foreign Language, Bio/chem/physics, math through precalculus? Mostly Honors + AP/IB/DE?
What State are you from?
Thank you @tsbna44 for the detailed response, especially the point about “loving” the schools that want me there.
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@MYOS1634
Thank you for answering. I applied to the Health Sciences major, and was accepted to the Harrisburg campus. I have heard too that major can play a factor.
I am from upstate New York and attended a catholic school with a good reputation. Except for physics, I took most of the classes you mention, and a couple of honors classes.
Thanks again.
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So what other options are you looking at ? I assume you want to stay in the NE ?
If you are from NY state, what acceptance options do you have at your SUNY schools?
What you can do is call on MONDAY and request to be re-evaluated for DUS at UP, explaining that you’re in NYS and would rather attend a SUNY than a PSU branch, but ARE interested in UP and ARE (…undecided so DUS would probably the best choice for you/ interested in Human Development&counselling so HDFS is the best choice for you… etc.) Pick one, see below.
That being said, if you only took a couple of honors classes and the rest was Regents, it may also explain why you were accepted to Harrisburg - most applicants admitted to UP had almost all honors with APs (15+ if you add honors and APs). It may be hard to keep up at UP. If you feel up to the challenge, there’s no risk or downside to calling tomorrow and asking for reconsideration for (DUS or HDFS or ERM…)
Health Science, I assume, was BBH?
Beside DUS, you could also apply to the HDFS major or to others, see below.
https://hhd.psu.edu/hdfs
https://agsci.psu.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors/environmental-resource-management
https://ed.psu.edu/academics/departments/department-curriculum-and-instruction/undergraduate-studies-ci/secondary-education-7-12/secondary-education-science-education-bs-7-12
Pick one of the above OR DUS (undecided) and ask for reconsideration for ONE of these majors.
I would definitely pick a SUNY over Harrisburg though.