<p>I applied to PSU back on September 1st, and I selected that I'd be "interested" in applying for the Schreyer Honors college. On the "My Penn State" page it has the application for the Honors college... If I choose NOT to apply for the Honors college, would my application be considered incomplete, and lower my chances of acceptance? Or is the application process entirely separate?</p>
<p>Hi xKangaa,</p>
<p>I would email these questions to PSU Undergraduate Admissions so you have confirmed documentation for your file.</p>
<p>That said, I am “almost” certain that your Penn State Undergraduate application would NOT be considered incomplete/nor would your chances of Penn State admission be lower if you do not apply to Schreyer. They are separate applications with Schreyer being contingent on acceptance first as Penn State Undergraduate (My Penn State process). There may be interviews this year for Schreyer? You may want to check on that too or check the Schreyer website?</p>
<p>There is a sophomore gateway process (not applicable for you).</p>
<p>My son applied to Penn State early like you, was admitted early November and then applied in January to Schreyer. Heard back from Schreyer early March.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>The priority application date for the SHC for Fall 2014 first-year admission is November 30, 2013, but applications may be submitted through January 15, 2014.</p>
<p>interviews are part of the admissions process starting this year. Everyone will be offered a chance for one. However, like other schools, they are not required</p>
<p>but would choosing not to have an interview hurt my chance?</p>
<p>This is taken from the Schreyer website How to Apply (<a href=“https://www.shc.psu.edu/future/apply/index.cfm[/url]”>https://www.shc.psu.edu/future/apply/index.cfm</a>)</p>
<p>"Optional Interviews</p>
<p>Those students who have submitted a Schreyer Honors College application by November 30th will be invited to participate in an optional interview as part of the selection process.</p>
<pre><code>Interviews are conducted by Honors College alumni in the applicants local region.
Interviews are intended to be a comfortable conversation about your activities and achievements as well as your interest in Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College.
Should you apply by November 30th, you will be emailed in December about how to sign up for an interview.
Interviews will be conducted by the end of January. As this is an optional interview, your application will not be negatively impacted if you are not able to participate.
Every attempt will be made to accommodate all interview requests, but due to limited alumni availability, we cannot guarantee that every request will be honored."
</code></pre>
<p>Just my opinion, the completion of a quality/comprehensive application should dictate when you submit your application to Schreyer. Good luck!</p>
<p>Here is my opinion about the interviews for SHC and other competitive schools. They are correct that not having an interview does not hurt a large majority of the students.
However, if an applicant is boarder line and they get a very strong review by the alumni interviewer, one has to logically come to the conclusion that that extra piece of data would benefit the applicant. It’s kind of like the SAT policy. Probably not part of the regular formula, but it could have a positive effect in some circumstances.
As conventional wisdom goes, most interviews are neutral and they serve as an excellent information session for you to learn more about the school. A small fraction impact the decision.</p>