I thought so, too, until people in this group explained that Smeal does not offer direct admit, and acceptance as a Smeal student offers no advantage over undecided DUS. So, while my D’s admission letter says Smeal, she isn’t really a Smeal student until later, after meeting the requirements that any DUS student can do the same. That’s all I meant.
I sure wish we had known this before applying. She would have applied undecided DUS, and would have had a better chance at getting Fall start. This is my second time navigating the college application process, and I still feel like I am always wishing we had done things differently. My last time will be next year, and I am hoping to finally get it right! LOL
Thank you for the advice and encouragement. She’s definitely considering that. I am also wondering if summer start can be done online. Fortunately, PSU was not her top choice, and she’s received other acceptances.
Beyond frustrating. I am so sorry. Was your daughter not willing to consider summer start? I encouraged mine to check that box on her application, just because as a last resort, it would be more palatable to her than an alternate campus.
This is why I told my daughter to research these things before applying. I wish we had known this before! Ugh. Her fault for not knowing, her consequence. Still stings, though!
PSU awards very little merit aid whether for fall or summer start. Students admitted to Schreyer get $5000 a year. There are a few other merit awards but most students get no merit or institutional need-based aid.
How long did it take for admissions to reply? My son sent an email last Friday? Not sure if he should send another to confirm the request or if they are just slow in responding.
Has anyone received new admission after changing their major etc….after requesting reconsideration if received alternate campus etc? And was it a “yes”?
Wondering timeframe in new decisions. Thx!
What major? Smeal? Smeal takes only the very tippy-top of applicants. 4.0+ UW. Look at the Smeal admits on this page.
I didn’t say that all 2+2 students need more time to get there. I said many do and don’t realize it until they get to UP and almost fail out freshman year. This is especially true in Engineering.
With your daughters stats you could call and ask for reconsideration into DUS and I would expect she would get in.
You are misinterpreting the information presented here. While there is no difference at the end of the day, if your end goal is Smeal, starting out in DUS or Smeal pre-major…there is a HUGE DIFFERENCE in the competitiveness of each college.
Smeal is one of the hardest majors to get accepted into as a pre-major. Just like you did not realize this, or that your daughter could apply DUS and still get into Smeal later, many others do not realize it either so there are a ton of applicants. Although it is on their website about needing entry to major requirements to get in (including being a sophomore status with credits), many still don’t realize they won’t be a direct admit. And there is nowhere except forums like this, that discuss how difficult each college is to get into.
Without grades above the 75th percentile and test scores also near or above the 75th percentile (so above a 3.91 UWGPA at minimum and 1450 SAT), Smeal is a reach.
Also keep in mind, not all GPA’s are considered equal. A 4.0 at one school is very different than a 4.0 at a different school. Weighting, class availability, etc…are all taken into account. Which is why it’s nearly impossible to compare between schools and thus makes comparing GPA’s here on this forum a fruitless exercise.
As I’ve said before, if your daughter asks for reconsideration to DUS or another less competitive major (but know she can only get into Smeal later from DUS or Smeal pre-major), I am confident she would be accepted, providing you don’t wait too long to request this.
More bad news, unfortunately. PSU is notoriously stingy with merit aid. I wouldn’t expect any. They only offer need based aid and not much of that. PSU is really bad with Financial Aid.
There actually is…choose a different major. Ask for reconsideration for DUS and I think she’ll get in. It’s only because of the major that she did not. Also, as I mentioned above, it is really difficult to compare GPA’s here. Every school weights differently, has difference access, etc…One school’s 4.0 would be another’s 3.0.
Criminology. From wha tI can see on their website they will take her dual credit credits and since she is graduating with her AA degree I am wondering how the 2+2 will look.
Wait…she didn’t get into criminolgy with her stats? That’s actually weird. I’d call and ask to speak to an admissions counselor…not the people who answer the phone. Ask for an admissions counselor and speak to one directly and ask what can be done to get into UP. With a 3.9GPA she should have been able to get into Criminology.
Some colleges really want to have students for 4 years, and ones who have taken four years to complete high school with a deep set of interests and extracurriculars, too. It’s a wonderful accomplishment that your daughter has, but highly schools do not always value AA degrees as you might expect. Getting through quickly is the right decision for some kids, but from an admissions standpoint it isn’t always seen as students/parents hope.
I was trying to say (and now realize I have typos above) that more selective schools do not always see having an AA as a positive. They want student tuition for 4 years, and they want students coming in with 4 years of high schools extra-curriculars/research/maturity. I’m sure your daughter is very mature and driven, but they may have felt that she wasn’t a fit for UP at this time.
I don’t think the small school is an issue. I live in a rural county with all small/tiny schools and kids regularly are accepted to UP (and others regularly get offered 2+2, also).
And that is not a weighted GPA…that is with all her college classes, two A- ever! I am wodering if size of her high school plays a role. We only graduate 58 in a class so it is small. I told her she needs to call and ask how 2+2 works if they take her college classes. Seems like she may not have enough classes to fullfill two years at Altoona and then enough credits left to get what is needed at UP.
I agree. She did get an offer of $72K over 4 years from George Mason with the opportunity to transfer in her AA degree and compete her BS and Masters in Criminology in 4 years. They rolled out the red carpet for her when she visited. I think it is the perfect fit for her but she has her heart set on being a Nittany Lion.