My daughter has the same stats. 4.15w GPA, 1300 SAT. If she hadn’t clicked the option to consider summer start, she would have gotten Altoona 2+2, also.
1 Like
We received an email, but it was something like 10-14 days later, even after the USMail packet.
1 Like
My daughter similar stats - did not select summer option and got the 2+2 option at Altoona for Smeal. Super disappointed
For whatever it’s worth D22 3.97UW/4.2W with a 27ACT (so a 1280 equivalent) did not submit scores and didn’t do her any favors either. Selected summer but I don’t think Nursing has that option and was offered alternate campus. I feel bad for your high stat kids who aren’t getting in, seems crazy this year.
1 Like
Got the admission letter from them in the mail today. It was a bit annoying actually. Congratulations all over the envelope, and leading with “You’ve been admitted!” and “You are Penn State!” Third paragraph before they say it’s the 2+2. If we had not already seen the portal, it would have been confusing.
2 Likes
So sorry. Did she submit scores?
Thanks, that is interesting. Nursing is another competitive major, for sure. She’s definitely not a high stat kid, but Penn State was a safety or target school for her, so an alternate admission option is a blow to her ego. I guess we underestimated how competitive admissions is for business majors. It’s early yet, and she’s got other decisions still to come. Maybe she’ll change her mind about the summer start. I wonder if it can be done online.
Yes she did submit scores
So frustrating. My daughter knows kids who couldn’t break 1100 who applied TO and got in for Fall at UP. Those kids never took an honors or AP class, while mine has been busting her butt for 4 years. TO was definitely the way to go.
2 Likes
Did those other kids apply to Smeal or something else?
I know of two who got into Smeal TO for Fall at UP with lower gpa/non rigorous transcripts. I guess Penn State must have a reason why they want them more. 
I see a lot of discussion about the Kelley direct admission on the IU thread, but no such discussion about smeal. Is smeal preferred because it is a direct admit ?
My daughters best guy friend with a 1280/ 3.9 legacy didn’t get into Smeal in state either. Was shocked! It’s generally a safety/target for our high school. Must be crazy competitive this year!
It must just come down to who reviews your app…IDK but my brain hurts from trying to break the code. I am thankful our son got summer and feeling that things happen for a reason. Best wishes
There’s no direct admit to Smeal. All students are “premajor”, whether pre-Smeal or DUS. They take required courses; in these they must obtain a minimum grade and must maintain a certain overall GPA to access some majors. Smeal is one of the hardest colleges to get into and finance requires the highest college gpa among all premajors on campus. Applying directly to Smeal rather than DUS means a shot at Sapphire but otherwise there’s no advantage compared to DUS. All students take the same classes and must make the same grades.
For Smeal, it helps if students had calculus, and anecdotally perhaps AP English&AP Econ. A high uw gpa is necessary.
2 Likes
About Summer Start… my oldest D just graduated PSU in May. She was a summer start in 2017. She did NOT want to go but PSU was her dream school so she did. Ended up being the best summer of her life, got two classes out of the way which was a big help, met her best friends (still to this day) and rolled into the fall start with confidence, excitement and knowing the turf. I’m encouraging my current daughter who is applying to do summer start (if she gets in). I hope this helps those on the fence about LEAP. Good luck to us all!
3 Likes
Do the college of liberal arts decisions come out later? it seems like the people who’ve gotten their decisions were all in the STEM colleges or the business colleges.
My DS is accepted to liberal arts college (poli sci major) on 12/2. So some decision for liberal arts is out already
3 Likes
wow, I didn’t get anything in mail but just portal and email.
1 Like
I believe D22s mail packet came a good week to 10 day days later, at least.
But it was before the email.