Friend claims just got accepted to PSU University Park…not sure if it is believable as it seems early…50 percent SAT for PSU…thoughts?
I don’t know, I thought if you applied by November, you found out starting in January
It’s rolling admissions – applicants who applied before the priority deadline will find out BY January, but anytime before then is also possible.
When my daughter applied in 2014 just after 9/1, she found out on 11/1 that she was accepted. A couple of her friends heard a few days earlier than that, but not 3 weeks. Maybe things are faster now though.
With the new grade self reporting, it is possible things are going faster. Hopefully they are as that’s the reason they gave for doing the self reporting in the first place. If you apply by November 30, you hear BY January 31. Anytime in there is possible. I will also say though, this is a very common time for commonwealth campus decisions to start rolling out. So if you see acceptances on twitter, it is most likely for the commonwealth campuses.
In 2014, my daughter applied on 9/2 and heard on 1/26. So as you can see from the above post, there is no rhyme or reason.
I would be surprised if someone has received an offer of admission already. When my DS talked to Admissions and asked why the SRAR still only should “received” not “completed”, (input 9/15) she was told they haven’t processed them yet - if it said received, that is all the student could do. The admissions person also told her that they may be a little later this year due to a learning curve with SRAR. While it should be easier, we all know how finicky new processes and systems can be!
After the disaster two years ago, I think they also may be cautious where they draw the line.
anyone else know anything?
My daughter applied on 9/14 and has not received an answer. Back in the fall of 2014 my son applied early October and had an answer in less than 2 weeks. My daughter did get an acceptance from Univ. of Pittsburgh in 3 weeks after having submitted her application on 8/31.
@2ndandlast Pitt is true rolling admission. Penn State is called “modified rolling admission”, meaning all they tell you is if you apply by November 30 you will hear by January 31st. In the fall of 2014 my daughter applied on September 2nd and didn’t hear until end of January. Consider yourself extremely lucky that your son heard in less than two weeks. I find that almost impossible to believe if it was for UP campus. For a commonwealth, that’s pretty standard. For UP, almost unheard of. I’d expect a longer wait than your first time around -
@lucyvanpelt What happened 2 years ago? If I may ask…
UPDATE - false alarm…when questioned furthThe “friend” later admitted that she thought she got accepted but instead was invited to join a penn state account…I thought it was too soon…
@MomtoAndrew2018 Two years ago, they had a new system (lionPATH?) they were using and I don’t know if yield was up, or if they admitted too many students, but the net result was a freshman UP class that was too large. They offered UP freshman the opportunity to go to a branch campus for a 1+3 (unheard of) and if they went to a branch campus, there were financial incentives (free tuition or room & board, I don’t remember the details… but could be huge if you are taking out loans).
Last year, they relied on a waitlist to manage class size - many years they don’t use a waitlist - so it will be interesting to see what happens this year.
Also the reason why I don’t think the process will be early. Although hoping it will be…
My son applied just last week, so obviously hasn’t heard anything. He did, however, get an email recommending he apply for the Millennium scholars program. Is this something that they send out to everyone?
Wasn’t sure if this should be considered a positive sign.
As of this morning, my son’s online app status has changed to …“Your application is currently under review. We have received everything required to complete your application. Once a decision is made, it will be posted here.” Previously, and up to yesterday, it read something to the effect (not recalling exact wording)…“We are receiving a large volume of supporting docs. Please check your application checklist for updates. Once all required docs are received we will begin reviewing your application.” His app was complete with all docs by early to mid September, except the SRAR was listed as RECEIVED and now is listed as COMPLETE. Hopefully, the ball will start rolling soon!
Let me point out that Altoona is his first choice. I was shocked, but he absolutely did not like UP at all and had no interest in applying there as he felt it was really isolated (boo…that’s my alma mater). He really liked the Altoona campus, and he has lots of family in that area which was a draw for him. He really liked their nursing labs and the faculty at the sim labs were the warmest and most welcoming of any college we toured.
@wildfelix1 That’s great news. From everything I’ve read on previous DECISION threads that should mean he will find out within a few days. And I think it also falls in line with the previous years when the branch campuses decisions start being released in mid-October. I’m hoping that means they are on or ahead of schedule for UP (for my son).
In addition, that is great insight to the whole SRAR “Received” vs. “Completed” issue.
Thanks very much
@Momto4kids I don’t know if my daughter got that Millennium Scholars email but she has a link to the Millennium Scholars program on her PSU portal. My son applied to PSU in Fall of 2015 and was accepted (but is not attending) and I don’t recall seeing this link on his portal but it’s been two years so perhaps I saw it but don’t remember. I wonder if this link, and the Schreyer Honors College link, appear on all applicants’ portals.
@wildfelix1 Altoona decisions come out very fast. He should hear soon. My son heard last year for Altoona in October. If you commit quickly, he would have a shot at living in the suites in Spruce or Cedar. There are not that many spots for freshmen there but my son did get into Spruce because of an early commit.
@CantoPA The application can be ‘under review’ for months. My daughter’s app said “under review” from September to January 26 in 2014. The under review notation only means that they have everything they need and they are now in the queue for the process of decision. Penn State doesn’t go in order of date received. It’s random order. So there is no way to tell from that status what that means as far as timetable. The bulk of UP decisions won’t be coming out until December or January
Thanks @jlhpsu I always know when you post there’s going to be some good info. Not necessarily what we want to hear, but good info. 
Sorry - just saw your comment now. In regard to my son, he had a very high GPA and SAT (2390)/ACT(35), other stats and 2 parents as alums. It was for UP but he decided against PSU in the end. My daughter still hasn’t heard back although her status has changed to completed. A lot of her friends heard yesterday so probably won’t be much longer. She’s already decided she wants to go to Pitt so 0 for 2 on Penn Staters.