Is it indelicate for me to say… unless they mean something else by special programs… I don’t believe it? I believe you! But I do not think getting accepted for elementary ed is the same as getting accepted for electrical engineering. The Smeal direct-admit route is notoriously selective. So I would have to think that qualifies as a “special program” even thought it’s not listed?
I might be all wet. But I have seen kids with astronomical numbers get rejected from Smeal and fro engineering.
I could be wrong but I think Smeal and Engineeering are considered harder because of the math. They even have specifics about calculus here: High School Course Requirements: 4-Year Degrees - Undergraduate Admissions For all we know, those high stats kids took AP Statistics and not AP Calculus like this outlines. I know of another school that, no matter what you are going into, says that Calculus does better in admission than stats (again, different school, but trying to show an example), which is why my kid went that route even with psych.
I’ve been here on this board for a long time - since 2014. I know what they say regarding asking for a change in major, but it is often very successful IF you are changing your major to a less selective major. If you are changing from one liberal arts major into a different liberal arts major - there won’t be a change in decision. Similarily, if you change from a liberal arts major into a major with the same general competitiveness, there also won’t be a change in decision. However, if you are denied from Smeal or Engineering and then you change into, for example, a liberal arts major that is less competitive - well then you may have a chance.
In the past, it was always recommended to change to DUS (Undecided) if looking for reconsideration, but it’s not true any longer that DUS is the least competitive major.
Another aspect of the reconsideration process is adding summer option if you did not originally include that. Sometimes even keeping the same major and adding summer is enough to gain admission.
As far as political science, that’s in the college of liberal arts so reconsideration might be more difficult. Adding summer may be the best option if you haven’t already applied with summer option checked.
@jlhpsu is correct. Remember universities are a business, they need to fill seats and programs. Without students in seats, programs, staff and faculty get cut. There are majors like this at every college. There are honestly probably more smaller majors at PSU than the larger ones. You just have to know them. Here is a satire piece from PSU… I actually know someone who majored in Turfgrass Science at PSU.
Engineering and Business are popular majors at every college, why? Because these majors have good job yields. But for someone who majored in Finance but ended up in a 30+ year television career, I can tell you sometimes fate plays a bigger hand than your major
Hi! I applied August 10th under Econ (college of liberal arts). No need to go into all of my stats, but I am a well-qualified applicant. I have legacy with parents and two sisters as well. I am getting worried about my application. I know PSU has all of my materials. When my sisters applied back then, they got in by now. My friends at school applied much later than me (Oct 20) and already got in. I know everyone is saying it’s random, but I am starting to get antsy and confused!
@Greekygreek different colleges (Engineering, LA, Education, etc.) hear at different times.
It is random. Don’t stress about it. You will just drive yourself crazy. It doesn’t matter if you applied Aug. 1st or Oct. 31st - they are reviewed in the same pool.
Pardon if someone has already mentioned, but will Penn State go to your second choice major and consider before rejecting?
My son put Smeal and then DUS. And summer as second option start.
I have read here that DUS is much better chance and doesn’t matter much because you can still get to Smeal. I was trying to get my son to switch his app. But does it matter if he out DUS anyway as a second?
Penn State doesn’t consider a second-choice major. Only a second-choice campus.
I’m not aware that they even ask for a second-choice major anywhere. Maybe the common app asks but it won’t matter. Penn State does not consider second-choice majors. So if your son applied for Smeal, then he will be accepted or denied to Smeal only. The only way to get accepted into DUS after a denial will be to call and ask for reconsideration to DUS.
