Anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Usually it’s done pretty quickly.
Do you know if this is a process where multiple people review the whole application, including the essay and extracurriculars, along with the explained circumstances, and then make a decision?
I follow all your responses! Would you know if DUS students would have the same access to the classes needed to get into Smeal down the road? Like do Smeal students get priority registration for some of those 1st and 2nd year business courses?
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Penn State opens their scheduling by credit window. Meaning, those with the most credits get to schedule first because they have less time left to get the classes they need. In order to get any of the Entry to Major classes in Smeal, you have to be either a Smeal pre-major OR a student in DUS. The upper level classes are restricted to Smeal majors, but a student wouldn’t be taking that class until they are accepted into the major anyway. Between gen eds and electives and first and second year classes, there are plenty of classes open to all planned Smeal majors.
The Smeal entry to major classes are: (need a C or better)
- English Composition (ENGL 015 or ENGL 030)
- Calculus (MATH 110 or MATH 140) * #
- Microeconomics (ECON 102)
- Statistics (SCM 200 or STAT 200) *
- Management (MGMT 301) *
- Financial and Managerial Accounting (ACCTG 211) *
- Marketing (MKTG 301) *
- Finance (FIN 301) *
AND
The GPA requirement is a 3.2 overall with the exception of Finance, which is 3.5. Completing all of these classes along with some gen eds will take two years
AND
You can’t apply until you are in the 44-59 PENN STATE credit window. (classes taken at Penn State)
Many, many students take this path with no issue. The biggest complaint I’ve seen is the lack of a Smeal advisor, but as pointed out above, that’s easily remedied by scheduling an appointment with a Smeal advisor - which is allowed at any time to make sure you are on track.
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When you ask for reconsideration, it basically heads back into the line for that new major and will be fully evaluated as if it’s a new application.
Excellent thank you so much!
She is not applying under a new major, she is asking for reconsideration for Fall Start as opposed to summer session due to circumstances that had an impact on grades freshman year. When she spoke with someone from admissions, she was instructed to email the admissions department explaining the circumstances and put “official appeal” in the subject line.
Ok so that’s different than a reconsideration. That’s an appeal. I warn you that at a school Penn State’s size, appeals are rarely successful because they have seen and heard everything.
What was the major and stats that got your daughter the summer admission? Can she choose another major?
The situation that she explains is very real. Unfortunately, I do understand what you are saying. If she were to try to change the major, I don’t know what she would apply to as she is already undecided. She already sent the email. I wish there were a way for her to actually speak to someone in person because emails don’t always convey the situation as much as a conversation. I guess since she already sent the letter, she wouldn’t be able to try the other way.
She has a 3.77 in a highly competitive school, with several impressive awards, leadership positions and extracurriculars. From what I understand, Penn State really only focuses on numbers though. Her hope was that her entire application would be looked at and her essay does talk about her situation.
Congrats! Mine is still waiting for her Kelley direct admit via petition.
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Thank you! Best of luck to yours, as well. I guess they have similar taste!
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This is super helpful thanks! Do they require the English class if you got a 34 on your ACT in that category? Only asking because my sons English requirement was waived at his college bc he tested high.
So helpful! You need to be in charge of their website. It would be so much clearer! 
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There is virtually no way to get out of freshman English at Penn State. The only real way is to transfer the credits in from another college. AP credits don’t count (although they may make you eligible to take an honors level class if you are interested).
For those of us familiar with this requirement, we encourage our kids to take other AP classes that will help (math, stats, Econ,etc.) at Penn State instead of AP Lit/Comp or AP Lang/Comp.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news….
For the record, many kids take the English requirement if they go summer since that is frequently a good option.
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For those now interested in summer, here is more info.
You can google Penn State LEAP and I think it is live now with 2022 offerings listed.
Kids take 2 classes (6 credits) and they are pairs together in a cohort - so both classes are with the same kids. Classes are capped at 24 students and you have an upperclassman “LEAP mentor” assigned to your cohort.
Kids can take a gen Ed or something more major focused, but it is usually one class paired with either English 15 (freshman English requirement) or CAS 100 (freshman speech requirement). If a kid knows their intended major, it is nice to take a class in that field to meet others in the same major.
For example, if you are thinking business, there are multiple prides that have MIS 250 and English 15. In fact, it clearly states in the description:
This pride is reserved for students enrolled in the Smeal College of Business or the Division of Undergraduate Studies.
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Perhaps you can answer this, when you ask for reconsideration does it negate your original offer?
I can answer this because my daughter specifically asked when she emailed. She asked if she would need to forfeit her smeal summer start offer in order to be reconsidered for fall. They told her no, that if they were unable to offer her fall start as DUS undecided, then her portal would revert to her Smeal summer start admission offer.
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Has anyone received acceptances into the BFA program yet? My DD applied by Nov 1 and nothing yet
If they decide to not grant your reconsideration or appeal, are you at least emailed so that you know that it has been reviewed and denied. I am just thinking that when checking the email, if the status remains the same, there is no way of knowing if a decision has been made yet or if you were declined.
Sorry, I meant checking the portal and not email.