<p>There are a lot of old threads on summer session admissions, but I'm looking for some updated information:</p>
<p>Does anyone know what the average stats are for admission to summer start at UP?</p>
<p>And, is there any difference between applying for "Summer 2015" vs applying for "Fall 2015 with optional summer start at University Park" (i.e., checking the box that says, in effect, "yes, I'd be willing to consider summer start at UP")?</p>
<p>While there are probably educational benefits to starting people with lower stats earlier, it's my understanding that the main reason to start people for summer is that, thanks to the dominance of the US News ranking system, colleges are graded for selectivity based on their admission stats for fall, so offering people summer admission is basically a way for PSU to sell more seats** to freshmen, while keeping people with lower stats "off the books" for selectivity ratings. All this to say that the admission data that PSU posts on its web site probably does not reflect the summer students admission stats.</p>
<p>**Frequent readers of my posts will know that I'm not judgmental at all about the buy/sell paradigm in college admissions. I'm just a realist.</p>
<p>In the admissions chat the other day, someone asked what the summer criteria was and they just said “slightly lower than Fall”. That’s kind of a broad answer. I think they leave room for a wide variation. I also think there are two main reasons why it is different to apply to just summer 2015 vs. applying for fall 2015 with the option of summer checked. </p>
<p>First of all, if you apply only to summer, you will not be considered at all for Fall. Whereas if you apply for Fall, and can’t get in because your stats aren’t high enough, they may be able to offer you summer. I can’t figure out what the benefit of applying ONLY summer would be…Unless of course, you WANT to start in summer for some reason (and some kids do because the LEAP program has a good reputation). I don’t think it hurts to try for Fall admission if that’s what you want…and it does not seem like the criteria is different for applying directly to summer vs. getting into summer after being denied for fall. </p>
<p>The only reason, and it’s not full proof of course, that I could see applying to only summer, would be to hear back sooner. It seems like the people who apply directly for summer hear before the summer admits that applied first to fall. But again, that’s kind of random. </p>
<p>I don’t mind if they do this to raise their admission stats. I also don’t care if they do this to make more money from students who go an extra semester. I am glad they do this because it gives some kids who are perfectly capable of a PSU education the option to prove it over a summer session. My daughter is borderline (3.4 UW, 28 ACT) so she applied fall with the option of summer. My guess, is she will get admitted to summer as I’ve seen some other acceptances come in for summer with a lower GPA than hers. But, of course, we are hoping for fall…and also realize that random things happen and she might be sent to a branch (which would be really hard for her!). My D has wanted to go to PSU UP since she was 5, and had she not had a medical issue sophomore year, her GPA would be a lot higher and we wouldn’t have to worry. But it is what it is and I won’t make excuses. We are just hopeful that a PSU UP education is not out of reach for her, so we are glad there is a summer session to give us hope!</p>
<p>Penn State is a rolling admission. Some students may be admitted to summer session that actually have higher stats than someone that was admitted earlier in the process due to application submission date. Some students hear their status before the application deadline. I know this for a fact as my son waited until the last minute to apply, 1960SAT/4.16gpa, admitted to Smeal summer session. We know several ppl that had signicantly lower stats that were admitted for fall session so I do not think your theory is correct. He was mad at himself for procrastinating but ended up loving summer in happy valley. I was advised it is in everyone’s best interest to check off that they are willing to go summer session unless you are Schreyers level. Otherwise, if you are borderline, they will bump you to a branch campus and put someone with similar or lower stats on main in summer.</p>
<p>It is very confusing. I’ve been told directly from an admissions counselor on a tour that PSU was rolling admission, yet the “rolling” didn’t start until after Nov. 30th and everyone that applied prior to Nov. 30th would be considered equally. If that is true, then as long as you get your application in prior to Nov. 30th, you will be judged on the same criteria as those admitted prior to Nov. 30th. Obviously, if you apply in December or January or later, there are spots filled. But if you apply by November 30th, TECHNICALLY, there should be spots left. I agree that it is best to choose summer as an option. </p>
<p>As far as applications being processed according to application date…that’s just wrong. There are many people who applied long before those hearing back right now. My daughter is one of them. Her application was complete as of Sept. 8th. We were told that applications are considered based on many factors, but application date has nothing to do with when you hear back. As long as you apply prior to Nov. 30th, you will hear prior to Jan 31st…That’s the only guarantee they make. </p>