PSU Class of 2021 Decision Thread

@nittanylion1202 did you meet with the admissions counselor in person or just through email? I am really considering changing my major as I applied to journalism (communications) but am not sure if I am going to get in.

I was ACCEPTED into the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at University Park - Political Science! Pre-Law track intended (Applied on Nov.15 and heard back Dec.14)

SAT: 1140 new SAT (only taken once, so it could be better)
ACT : N/A until end of December
GPA: 3.791
Other stats: 6 Pre-AP and 8 AP classes
*Applied to SHC. Interview in Jan.

Subjective:
Essay: Great. I wrote about how music has impacted my life.
Teacher Recs: Great. One teacher rec was from an alum who has had me for two years.
Counselor Rec: Great
ECs: NHS, NSHSS, Spanish Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Tri-M music honor society, FBLA President, a Capella group Vice President, BSU, Choir Council, Homecoming Court, APS Advisory Council, Performing Arts transfer student for Vocal, SCA Special Events Captain, participated in musicals as student music director and a cast member, Writing center tutor and Spanish tutor

Awards/Distinctions:
-AP Scholar
-Lettered in Academics
-Miss Northern VA’s Outstanding Teen
-#1 in county, district, and state choirs numerous times
-Governor’s School for the Fine and Performing Arts
-VSCA Oratorical contest winner
-East Coast USA National Teen Talent Winner
-other performance awards

State or Country: Northern VA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: African-American
Gender: Female

Other:
-Self-taught guitar and piano player
-original song on iTunes
-performed at the white house
-40+ hrs of community service

I applied September 19 and still haven’t heard, meanwhile people who applied 2 weeks ago found out today… Do you think I’ll hear soon?

@becca662 The admission into the school of communications is not any more selective than applying DUS, so changing your major may not make a difference. Adding summer option however, usually does if you are a borderline applicant.

@jlhpsu Do you know if IST is more selective than DUS?

Applied in Sept and watching kids who applied 2 months after you get responses? Welcome to the PSU admission process. Just a tad frustrating huh?

You’ll know by 1/31/17, that’s your only absolute

@jlhpsu do you think it would hurt to change it or should i just leave it as is?

@hasannadeem47 I don’t know for sure. In general though, the higher entry to major requirements a degree has, the more difficult it is for freshman admission. So, for example, finance in Smeal has a 3.5 cumulative GPA requirement for admission junior year. Where as journalism has a 2.0 and only a few ETM classes. Other majors in the school of communication such as film and PR require a 3.3 GPA so they may be harder to get into as a freshman. That’s been the general theory. That’s why science majors and business majors are harder to gain entry to as freshmen because the entry into those majors is controlled and selective. Whereas, a psychology or other liberal arts degree is not as difficult to get into junior year, or freshman year.

IST specifically does not have a high GPA requirement but it does require more math to apply as a freshman than many of the other majors. My guess is it’s neither easy (though nothing is easy to get into at Penn State) nor difficult.

@becca662 If they let you change it, it never hurts to change it to DUS. Unless you are in a controlled major that requires freshman start, you can work towards any major at PSU starting out DUS. And chances are you will change your major anyway.

@jlhpsu If starting out DUS, how hard is it to transfer into Smeal? Obviously if one maintains a decent gpa and does all the required? Are the advisors helpful enough with the amount of students they have to help with getting into certain programs?

It’s just their admission process. I’m waiting for mine back too.

@jlhpsu I’ve heard from a few people that when you change your major you get put down to the bottom of the list. do you know if this is true?

Just an email! It never hurts to shoot them an email just to see what they think. The lady I spoke to was incredibly helpful and it might help put your mind at ease if they advise you not to! @becca662

@NittanyLion1202 did you just ask them if you should change majors? Sorry I’m so stressed out by this and Penn State is my top school so I don’t want to screw anything up.

@monjmom the requirements to get into the major are the same whether you are smeal or undecided. The DUS advisors are well versed in the majors and getting students into them. There are GPA and class entry to major requirements, but if you meet those you go into your major junior year which is the same time those admitted to smeal as freshmen declare as well

@becca662 I’m not sure to what list you are referring. Regardless of major, you have certain entry to major requirements to meet, and as long as you meet them, you get into your major Jr year. 80% of you guys will change your major. Many several times. That’s normal.

Just got accepted to University Park! 3.45 UW GPA and 32 ACT

@bayramf What do you mean by just got accepted? Did the portal update just now for you? Congratulations though!

Thanks! I signed into the portal and there was a letter saying I’ve been accepted to Penn State @Adams21

Anyone know how long it takes for the snail mail to come after acceptance?