<ol>
<li><p>Do I apply straight to the undergraduate business school? Or do I have to transfer in after freshman/sophomore year?</p></li>
<li><p>Is the personal statement important if I'm not applying to the honors college? My stats are above average (but not good enough for the honors college).</p></li>
<li><p>Same as number 2, but for listing activities and sending rec letter.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>You apply to Penn State, and indicate your desired school. Smeal entrance-to-major is the end of your sophomore year (as it is for all majors, really, as a freshman you are only a prospective major in anything) . </p>
<p>Your personal statement is not meant to be as extensive as a traditional college essay. Schreyer’s has it’s own entrance application and 3 giant essay requirements, but first you fill out a PSU application. So, the statement is important, but it’s not often going to be the deciding factor. </p>
<p>List your ECs where possible and appropriate; don’t agonize over including every little thing. PSU does not read recommendation letters but some people will send them anyway. There are 8 adcoms and a staff of 80 other people at PSU reading/weeding the 100K applications. It mainly is a factor of GPA, test scores, and strength of schedule. It’s rolling admission, so the earlier you apply, the better your chances (and the sooner you will hear!)</p>