<p>Applying early at PSU doesn't mean a thing, I applied Aug 1st to Smeal, 1260 and 3.7, and got a no on Jan 29th. I appealed within 1 hour of opening my mail and reapplied to Eberly as a math major. Heard back by the next morning, a yes to Main campus. The admissions counselor said if I applied Div of Undergrad. Studies, i would have heard back in Nov. Smeal and a few other colleges were swamped this year and could really pick and choose. If you are waitlisted I would call admissions and ask them to change major to undecided and say you'll go summer. They should give you an answer quickly. Post here if this works for others... good luck!</p>
<p>ok jackmack i could go with that, but i dont want to go to summer lol... i could ask for undecided for fall, i mean i could accpet that, but then how does that all work? Just take any calsses you want? Then transfer into the school you want? I dont know how that rolls. Also, i guess im one of those people, b/c i applied to the engineering scool there, and i know that and smeal are really good, and always get apps alot.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.psu.edu/dus/%5B/url%5D">http://www.psu.edu/dus/</a>
This is DUS: Division of Undergraduate Studies. For those who do not know what they want to major in.
I have concerns about it since you have to apply to get into whatever major you eventually decide on (says you cannot apply for Smeal until your 4th semester) and also you have to be disciplined to take the right courses for your intended major, or you will be there longer than 4 years. On the plus side you likely will get more one-on-one attention from an advisor.
I suppose if it is an easy way to get into UP for the fall then it would be worth a try.</p>
<p>Tdrag- you would still stay on the engineering tract, take the right classes suggfested on their suggested course list, get good grades and transfer in by 4th semester. Getting good grades is key, there is a minimum gpa for all the different majors... good luck. Not sure about fall vs summer start, i thought it was worth it to get into UP</p>
<p>This can be a risky game to play, unless you really don't care about your plan of study, registration (if you think admissions is frustrating, hold onto your dinks), and ma and pa are open to the 6 year plan for tuition payments. Summer's a pretty good deal aside from burying the fantasy of that final fling of summer, or having to make another couple thousand bucks. A good litmus test to see how badly PSU is really wanted.</p>
<p>DUS is not a bad place to be. I'm sure there are stats out there showing how many kids change their majors multiple times before making that final commitment. There are many Gen Ed courses that need to be taken for all majors. DUS is a place to get the guidance many students need before they start taking major-specific courses that may end up being not necessary to your final major.</p>
<p>Right. If you're in DUS you will have plenty of coursework to fill up your time--all the Gen Ed requirements and many courses toward your intended concentration. Though my son (present junior) knew he wanted to be in IST, he started in DUS because he was lacking one of the entry requirements for IST. It was not a problem at all, and he's on track with his coursework to graduate in 4 years.</p>
<p>hereshoping:
How does your son like the IST major? We were at PSU last weekend for the engineering open house. My son is a high school junior, and we went to the IST presentation. The major sounded great, alot of job opportunities, and the new building was beautiful. It also seemed like a small major, you can get to know your teachers.</p>
<p>I would also like to know how your son likes the IST major...I just got accepted into the college of information sciences and technology at UP a week ago.</p>
<p>He loves it: yes, it's possible to know your teachers, and the advisers are very helpful. He is not happy with the language requirement, as he has trouble with languages. But other than that, he has enjoyed all his classes and is doing very well. Yes, the new building is great, isn't it. The program has a great reputation, too. Congratulations, PennStFan!</p>
<p>Thanks, hereshoping....I am actually a transfer student, unfortunately I will lose many credits. But my goal, since I was a Jr. in HS, was to get into PSU main. Once I learned which career path and major I wanted, which my current university also offered, I was ecstatic to get into PSU Main. Many opportunities in the IST major. Good luck to your son, maybe we will meet soon!</p>