Penn State Early Action for Fall 2024 Admissions

Keep in mind that PSU “recruiters” are volunteers from different regions that do not always have a cohesive message. They do not work in the admissions department.

Test Optional is a very good option for students whose test scores do not help them. If a student is applying to Smeal Business or Engineering, their test scores better be at the top of the top 25%.

I do not think it’s wise to put everyone in the same boat. For some people, submitting test scores is the best option, for others, it will hurt their application.

As far as Penn State not being TO in Fall of 2025, that remains to be seen. They weren’t supposed to still be TO now, but every year they push it out. So far, the TO option hasn’t diminished the success of the incoming classes.

If the common data set says that they aren’t considered, then they aren’t considered regardless of test scores submitted. Penn State is a numbers game. 2/3 of the decision has historically been GPA and rigor of coursework. 1/3 has historically been test scores and other factors. Other factors are things such as alumni status, state residency, talent (if applying to an arts major), etc.

Even when test scores were mandatory, they still accounted for a smaller portion of the decision.
MOST important thing for PSU admissions is GPA and course rigor. The rest is an add on that usually won’t make or break you unless you are a very borderline applicant.

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With a 3.6 GPA, your chances of getting into Smeal business are not good. I would call admissions and change your application to DUS (Undecided). You can still work on the exact same requirements from DUS and apply to the major at the exact same time as the pre major admits. DM me if you have questions on this or search the previous threads because it is something that is discussed a lot. Parent alumni status will be considered, but not enough to help. Something like only 10% of all Smeal applicants are accepted as freshmen in the pre-major and those who are have very high stats (4.0+).

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In light of your comments, for a kid with excellent GPA, rigor, and test scores, would you say it’s ok to ignore the optional essay and submit the CommonApp personal narrative instead?

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According to the common data set, PSU doesn’t consider the essay in admissions decisions. I think they get too many applications to read the supplemental essay.

What major is your child applying to?

Engineering.

I looked at the CDS. It does seem weird to have an optional essay that they say they don’t even consider.

S23 Applied to PSU for the BArch program. Though the applicant doesn’t need to be concerned with the common app essay (PSU ignores the essay in general), a portfolio is required. The program is very competitive, as it is at most schools. He was offered admission to PSU but not into Architecture (they offered Landscape Architecture - which is a very highly ranked program at PSU but wasn’t what he wanted).

Also for most BArch programs do not apply undecided with the intent to transfer in. Most AO’s will tell you that transfer in isn’t usually an option and most BArch programs start with studio classes Fall Freshman year so even a successful transfer in has 5 years ahead of them from that point forward.

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I put my preferred admission as summer session. Was I supposed to put fall 2024 with summer option?

@Noaxoxo If you put summer as preferred, you will only be evaluated for summer. You will not be given the option of a fall start.

If you prefer to be evaluated for fall with summer as a second choice should you not be admitted for fall, put fall with summer session as a ‘yes’.

Do not expect to hear anything for another month or so at the earliest (historically, they start admitting 2nd week of November, but it depends on college and where you fall in their bell curve).

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Has admissions requirements changed from 2023? Penn State no longer requires a portfolio

Incoming first year students must apply for undergraduate admissions to Penn State. Students who are offered admission to Architecture will be directly admitted to the five-year undergraduate professional degree (B.Arch). There is no portfolio required for incoming first year students.

Is there a way to still submit a portfolio as a supplemental?

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I went back to look at the spreadsheet we kept and apparently PSU was a N/A for portfolio requirement last year. The Portfolio requirement on their website only speaks to Transfers and Graduate level. Sorry - a year later they all blur together.

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I rather start within the summer. Hence why I put preferred as summer

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@Noaxoxo that makes sense.

Guaranteed, we will hear “I know I said summer, but I don’t really want to go summer”.

Just wanted to confirm.

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Anyone having issues with formatting in the Penn State App? Apostrophes are showing up as weird characters in the essay. Would appreciate pointers on how to fix it. Thank you!

I also assumed that applying summer will greaten chances. Penn state is my top school too.

I totally understand. I have re-read requirements multiple times for each school to make sure we didn’t miss anything.

Thank you for checking. Hope your son is enjoying his first year.

And good luck to yours!

When scores are submitted, do you know whether the people who submit ACT scores are compared against only the other people who submit ACT scores, and then SAT submissions are compared against other SAT submissions? Or do they convert the ACT scores to the SAT equivalent and then compare all test score submissions together? Obviously we are overthinking every detail because it’s my daughter’s first choice and her sister and 2 cousins also attend there currently as well.

The Schreyer Honors App isn’t due until Dec 4. My son would like to submit his common app before Nov 1 then submit honor app later.

Does anyone know how to do this through the common app?

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