@class0f2017 In 2014, when my older son applied he was accepted into Smeal around Halloween…he received a mailed letter on November 3rd. I am positive because I just looked it up since we are waiting for my younger son to hear and I was curious of the timeline. My older son had a 4.4 GPA, ranked 19/546, and had a 30 ACT with about 8 AP classes. He was OOS from Florida. His friend also heard at the same time. She was OOS from Florida, legacy with a 4.4 GPA and a 28 ACT.
@crazyboymom A Penn state rep came to our school and I think he said that the first batch will start around Nov 1 so that does seem accurate with ur experiences. I don’t have legacy but getting accepted early would be really nice!
@class0f2017 Man, finding out in early november sure would be something, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up unless your stats are extremely exceptional. From what I’ve seen and heard the people that hear the earliest are those with crazy high GPA’s/SAT’s or they have some sort of really unique hook. Might get lucky though.
My status changed to:
"Your application materials are being verified. Any additional application materials required to complete your application will be added to your Application Checklist during the verification process.
We will update this message when our review of your supporting materials is complete."
What does this mean? (I am very new to the application process)
Thanks 
@KG5APR That means that they are verifying that your high school transcript has the necessary requirements for whatever major you’ve applied to. If they determine that they need anything else from you, it will show up in your checklist on the portal page. When all of your materials are verified, it will change to that your application is verified and complete. At some point after that it will change to you are under review - and then you wait. Once it’s in review, the next step is a decision - but that could take weeks or months.
My sons status states that they have everything they need and he will hear here when they make a decision. My son applied Sept. 1 and his school sent his transcripts at the beginning of October. he is applying to horticulture so I dont think they need anything else special like business or engineering would need.
Has anyone heard back yet? When will the first decisions be released?
@KG5APR Only branch campuses. The most exceptional candidates should start hearing starting November 1st, the majority of people will hear Dec-Jan
My son just got his acceptance to University Park Engineering (Fall 2017) yesterday. He sent his application on October 5th. Fingers crossed everyone gets good news soon!
Congrats! What were your stats?
I submitted my app 10/3 and it was completed about a week later. I was admitted to University Park College of Engineering today!
3.95 UW, 4.25 W, 35 ACT
it says on my portal they still have not received my SATs… sent 2ish weeks ago. Everywhere else has… should I call?
They may have just not linked your SAT to your application yet. But you can call and they can tell you if that’s the reason.
I got accepted to the College of Nursing. I applied around the day it got opened. The package I received is dated November 10.
My stats if it helps:
OOS
ACT- 32 composite, 24 Writing
GPA- 4.383
6 APs and more honors classes
Nursing class (offered at my school)
Ranking- 69/530ish (top 15%)
Also it is the University Park Campus
First of all Congrats! and second, I have very similar stats (and also applied for nursing) and i was just wondering what state u lived in and did you get it today? because our stats are basically identical. @ijustneedhelp
@emoryleigh Thanks! I live in TN and the letter came in today but the date on the letter was November 10 (it takes 5-6 days for mail to get to me from PA).
I have heard they already sent out all rejection letters, hope it is true 
No, these letters will be sent between January 15 and 30. Some have already been sent - where it was clear the student wouldn’t get in no matter what (sub-3.0 GPA’s, Engineering applicants who don’t have precalculus, etc.) but the bulk will be sent soon.
will the portal change to a deny or does it stay the same (under review) and then you receive the letter?
@MYOS1634 so the bulk will be sent out next week?