@japsmom thanks for the response. I trust you but I am just curious why PSU UP not allow that even if it is the same course?
Because they admitted you for the summer session at Penn State. If you take the classes elsewhere, you’re not accomplishing what jlhpsu listed earlier as the benefits of summer session – getting used to life on campus, padding your GPA (credits transfer but grades don’t), and, of course, paying Penn State tuition.
@bodangles that makes sense, thank you. I am hoping to get in for fall anyways so we will see what happens. Penn State is one of my top choices so if I get admitted for Summer I will make it work.
@bitingmynails Congrats!!! I remember the excitement and relief in finally hearing for my daughter! She will love summer, promise!
Yay accepted!
Program: Aerospace Engineering (University Park)
ACT: 32
GPA: 3.23
Recommendation: Decent.
Essay: Pretty good
Decision: Eh not sure. I’m from Cali so UCs come first
How do you know if you got grants or scholarship money, where would you check?
Hi. I’m the mom of a pretty disappointed daughter that got denied admission to UP. She applied DUS and checked off summer as 2nd option. Her stats were 3.4 weighted, 1190 SAT, honors and AP classes. We knew she was below their middle 50% and it wasn’t going to be easy but what really hurt was seeing classmates with easier classes and the same or lower stats getting in. My question is…is there any chance of them reconsidering if she calls and asks? We just want to exhaust all options. She did get into several other great schools so she has options but PSU was her far and above 1st choice. Thx for any advice!
^ Calling and asking to be reconsidered for a branch campus is your remaining option. They said no for DUS and summer, which would be the usual reconsideration-for-UP options.
@OBB2828 Are you OOS? Your daughter wasn’t offered a branch? There’s some over complicated way of accepting kids which I can only imagine has something to do with being a state university. Frustrating for sure.
^What’s her unweighted GPA ? Would she be willing to go to Altoona or Harrisburg or Erie?
Do mention that it’s her #1 choice. But I think that, after overenrolling last year, they’re being more cautious this year which makes admission very competitive. Top students who were offered admission in the Fall have now confirmed or turned down their admission, which gives Admissions a good idea of how many spots there are.
As for why students with lower course rigor got in, I’m not sure. Perhaps their combined unweighted GPA X SAT score was higher, and they still met the threshold for curriculum rigor (ie., precalculus or calculus, 3 or 4 years of a foreign language, all three of bio, chem, physics, and as close to 20 as the number of classes if you add up all honors and all AP classes taken.)
I agree it hurts when students who took a less rigorous curriculum are admitted to your #1 choice, but you said your daughter has other good choices, places that value her for her hard work. Attending all the “admitted student days” there will help.
@OBB2828 @PSUMamasita They will only offer a branch campus if it was selected as a backup. If no selection is made, they won’t offer it, just as they won’t offer summer if it wasn’t selected.
Also, Penn State is not a state school, so however they do their admissions is up to them and them alone! I wish they’d tweak it but for the most part it works for them so I guess that’s why they don’t.
If your child is willing to do a branch, it is a great way into Penn State. 60% of grads start that way. I have one kid who wouldn’t consider it and thankfully was admitted to UP 2 years ago, and my next kid who appliued directly to Altoonba campus! Each kid is different. I’m so sorry your girl is disappointed. 
I did not put Summer or a second choice for a Branch because I just wanted to go to University Park. They offered me any branch I’m willing to go for 2+2. So you still might be able!
Accepted on 1/27 to UP College or Arts and Architecture with intended major of Architecture for fall!
(through checking portal)
Stats:
SAT (old): 1890
ACT: 29
GPA: 3.8 W
Rank: Top 15% of class
Essays: Strong
Teacher Recs: Great
Counselor Rec: Great
Hook (if any): 1st gen to attend college, being a female going into architecture maybe?
Location: New Jersey
School Type: Public High School
Ethnicity: white
Gender: female
Other factors: Strong ECs (won a national championship title my junior year, leadership positions in almost all clubs or activities I’ve been in, worked two jobs most of high school)
Question though! Does anyone know how many seats are actually available in the 5 year architecture program? I read somewhere that there were only 60 seats offered which really discouraged me (keeping my stats in mind) I was very surprised to get in! Good luck to everyone else still waiting!
^ with this record, I hope you applied to Schreyer. Personal engagement is extremely Important to get in .
And, yes, that program you got into is super selective.
anybody know if they release more decisions tonight???
Probably not until Monday after midnight!
And that brings it to January 31st when they said everyone should know one way or another.
when is the latest to accept the offer of admission?
Hi I was just wondering if being a legacy helps a little with getting accepted to main? My dad and sister both attended penn state. My sat scores aren’t the highest, but my GPA is good. I went as undecided and applied for summer sessions as well as Altoona being my second option. Also, I went online their website earlier this night and under my application status it read “Your application has been updated. Check back soon for updates.” I’m not sure if that’s good or bad and I’m just really stressed out
How low is your SAT?