The school promotes a “priority deadline”. All I was saying is don’t promote a priority deadline if it is meaningless. Don’t say you are a rolling admissions institution if you aren’t (and they aren’t). I didn’t say anything about first in, first out. I’ve acknowledged 100 times that is not how things are done. And that’s fine. I get it. Fair enough. But notifying students who applied after priority, prior to those who applied by the deadline, effectively makes the “priority deadline” notion meaningless. And if that’s the case, then PSU should be up front about their process so that applicants can be better prepared for the roller coaster. I don’t care how they want to do admissions…just be up front with your process, whatever it is. Doing otherwise causes many students and families anxiety.
I am not, and would never, take away from the amazing accomplishments of the admitted students. Simply pointing out PSU’s discrepancy between disseminated information about their admissions process and actual facts.
I don’t know if my D will get in. It could literally go either way. But i am sincerely happy for everyone who gets admitted, and also feel for those dealing with anxiety from the random process.Those not feeling anxiety and think I’m weird for worrying…well, you are better at all of this than I, I suppose.
Best of luck everyone. Peace.
With respect, I think your situation is unique, or at least very rare. You say your daughter only applied to one school, and you say she’s a marginal candidate.
I understand you don’t want to explain why that is, but you should know that most kids have second and third options that are viable. They may be disappointed, but they will be just fine. And PSU provides ample chances to get in after freshman applications, far beyond most other schools. So if your child ends up going to somewhere other than University Park initially, life will go on just fine. It really will. You’ll see.
@ozzieD spare me your ample condescension. You obviously don’t read my posts as much as you complain about them. On the other thread that you complained on, the initial post was about the fact that my Daughter was accepted to a very good program with a huge scholarship, but wants PSU. She is a great candidate for summer admission.
If she doesn’t get into Main campus for fall or summer she will go to Altoona and make the best of it. You are not entitled to my reasoning. You joined CC today and have made like 5 posts, four of which you are complaining about me or my posts. I got it.
Going to chime in here… @ozzied and jlhpsu already knows this because I have posted this many times. I agree we weren’t promised a first come first serve process but this admission process doesn’t make sense to me and here’s why… My son who applied 9/24 gps 4.0 Sat 2100 single score many ap and honors classes, student council, sister who attends there ,etc… hasn’t heard back just yet. Based on the average accepted stats he wouldn’t be considered marginal. Along with 4 or 5 of his classmates who have similar scores and applied around the same time. Yet his friend who has slightly lower GPA and SAT, with no alumni affiliation heard within 2 weeks. It’s crazy and frustrating. Bright side is our waiting should be over soon and when all is said and done, 4 months of waiting might be the longest waiting out of the 8 colleges he’s applied to yet the only one who claims to have a “rolling admission”
@mamahills agreed. You said it better than I with less evident frustration…I have to work on my college confidential face.
There is no rhyme or reason, which is why people are frustrated. I “expect” nothing more than I was told. No more or less. Don’t tell us it works one way, if it doesn’t. That’s the point I was trying to make, perhaps unsuccessfully.
@jlhpsu I feel your frustration and did a lot of editing and backspacing. When my son was accepted into Villanova I slept more peacefully. I guess the statement that “It does make sense” made me chime in too because it really doesn’t.
Mamahills by the numbers, your child clearly is not marginal. Anyone who’s looked at the numbers would agree, I’m sure. But by the numbers you should also know the chances your child won’t get in are slim to none. So as the process unfold, for you, expect to be happy. But you probably already know that.
jhlpsu…I was not trying to be condescending. I was trying to be consoling. But you should acknowledge, and I think you have, the unusual nature of one single application for a candidate that could go either way. My kid is the same, and so we applied to a few good schools, all pretty similar, and are happy she has some choices. We know that’s not practical for everybody too…
I sincerely believe it will work out fine for all our kids, and I know from personal experience with my older ones and now this child applying to PSU, they don’t and won’t get into all their choices. Especially not their reach schools. That’s why they are called reach. So preparing emotionally for that outcome is a good idea. No need to build up such high expectations.
Oh and you can read the posts here for months without a login. I know, because that’s what I’ve been doing. I don’t read them all of course. Who would?
One can apply to Penn State as a reach, a good fit and a safety…and be the same kid with one application. My D is a reach for fall, good fit for summer and a complete safety for Altoona. So one school to count on, works here. As I’ve said in other threads, she’d rather go to Altoona for 2 and be a Nittany Lion than go anywhere else for 4 years.
There are no guarantees here. If you read the admit threads from other years, there are “obvious” ins that don’t get in, and kids who get in and themselves are very surprised. The stats are all over the place. I think because of that, no one feels “safe” until they have the acceptance in their hands. Last year there were some really heartbreaking posts from kids and parents who rightfully expected an admission they didn’t get.
@jlhpsu I am a bit nervous actually that my son won’t be accepted for all the reasons you mentioned. Reading all the threads to the colleges he’s applied to shows very talented kids not being offered admittance or being deferred. There is no guarantee with anything nor do I take anything for granted. I think your daughter will be a Nittany Lion either way. Hopefully it’s summer or fall at UP. Love the campus and all it has to offer.
Yes jlhpsu, as I mentioned earlier, I’m familiar with your one application covering all scenarios approach. To each his own I guess.
And as far as experience with anomalies in the applications process, I have my own for sure. One of our older daughters had a 4.0 unweighted GPA from a nationally ranked school district and a 2000 SAT…and was waitlisted at Virginia Tech for undeclared major. That’s a school with a 70%+ admission rate, and her numbers were around 75th percentile for all admitted students that year. We were shocked. So yes, anomalies happen. There’s no doubt if you look at the data it’s right there. For any school.
But that doesn’t mean these very rare occurrences will happen to you. Quite the opposite. So mamahills should feel good about her child’s chances. Very good.
As far as the process comments…I think it’s very simple. They promise, that if you apply early, you will get a decision by the end of January right? And that’s all they promise. And, based on the calendar, they haven’t mislead any of us.
We will get an answer by end of January whereas others will wait until April 1. So I’m not sure what you feel is not consistent with what you’ve been told.
@mamahills I am thinking good thoughts for our kids. I know that no matter what happens, it will all work out in the end! And you are right…only 25 more days Max of waiting and then at least we know. The waiting is the hardest part! I’m going to bow out of this ‘discussion’ now and leave it to those who are hopefully posting good news here soon!
Jlhpsu, My daughter put all of her eggs in one basket. Since she was a little girl she has loved Penn State. My husband is an alumnus and perhaps that had something to do with it. She has been drawn to PSU and even though we are out of state, PSU is what she wants. She looked at other schools but applied to only Penn State. She applied in October and was accepted within 10 days to the Eberly College of Science. She has a 4.0 GPA, 32 on ACT and is very involved in community service. I experienced 10 days of anxiety and worry, I had no idea of how I would pick up the pieces had she not been accepted. This may have not been the wisest college strategy, but like you, I want my daughter to live her dream. I continue to check in on this site frequently, looking for your update and after seeing the last few posts, was compelled to comment. Yes, whatever the decision, life goes on and of course we want what is best, however, rejection hurts and as a parent, we are protective of our children. You are a mom that wants your daughter to have her dream come true. Even though you have had a much longer, anguishing wait, I can understand exactly how you feel. I commend you for being so genuinely happy for others as they receive their acceptances and hope that you have good news yourself, soon!
I, too, had a different expectation of Rolling Admissions, and can agree that it IS frustrating waiting (since 9/22) for an update. My other D who is a soph a PSU heard back in 6 weeks so we really did not expect this at all. True, all that was ever promised was a decision by 1/31, but then drop the rolling term, right? I would have then had my D submit her app closer to the Nov.30 deadline to lessen the wait time (and anxiety) had I known. Jihpsu… You have been so helpful and informative to everyone on this site, keeping us informed with admissions chat discussions and procedures… THANK YOU for posting and sharing, especially when you vent… Because by doing so, you comfort others who might be feeling the same. Good luck to everyone!
Hello all. I had to chime in. Jihpsu I have to thank you for being my sanity in this process. I’m so grateful I found this site. This is my oldest kid and we’re not in PA, so I don’t have anyone else going through the same thing, and we have no experience with PS. You remind me every time read your posts that we are all in the same boat, we’re anxious for our kids, and you have examples of all kinds of situations.
My S fell in love with UP. Although he applied to 3 other schools, he decided not to apply to the rest on his list because he decided that 2 years at Altoona to get to UP would be the best alternative to 4 years at UP. Everything about the rolling process makes sense to me except the acceptance of students who apply after Nov. 30. It makes total sense to accept the best kids first and wait until January for the kids on the edge (like mine). But it’s wrong to look at applications submitted after Nov. 30 first because that means they lied about their process (PS must not be a priority for those “great” students anyway, lol). Lying bothers me, and it’s condescending.
Has anyone had a change in admissions status this morning???
Nope. Before the break it seemed like changes went up after work, like 6 or 6:30 pm. Of course that doesn’t stop me from checking 3 times a day 
In case anyone was wondering, they just posted this on their website:
Hello 2015! Undergraduate Admissions is back in the office and ready to keep reviewing applications, answering questions, and processing documents.
We have been off for almost 2 weeks, so we ask you to give us some time to start answering emails and updating MyPennState statuses upon our return.
First-year students that had complete applications by the November 30 priority filing date and have not received a decision yet (which is the vast majority of applicants) should expect their admission decision in the coming weeks. Thank you for your patience!
We are also coming up on important filing date for first-year international students – February 1. We are working hard to process the documents we have received from international students prior to this priority filing date. Please continue to check your MyPennState profile for updates, but remember to allow a few weeks for the processing of all received application materials.
Additionally, any first-year students that have received an offer of admission can register for one of our Accepted Student Programs through MyPennState. We hope you consider coming to campus and learning more about your future life as a Penn Stater.
We wish everyone a Happy New Year … and we hope 2015 becomes the year you decide to attend Penn State. Sounds like a good resolution to us!
Accepted to the computer science program.
Stats:
SAT: 2310 (710 CR)
SAT IIs: 800 Math II, Chem
GPA: 3.8/4.0
Rank: 24/295
Subjective:
Essays: Did not submit essay
Teacher Recs: First one was really good because she knew me as a student and a club officer. Second one was good since he taught me twice (Intro to Comp Sci and AP Comp Sci)
Counselor Rec: Pretty good although our school is big
Hook (if any): none
Location/Person: Chester County
State or Country: PA
School Type: public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Thanks Tooth1010!