This is from 2014 so some aspects may have changed, but based on how decisions roll out I think the main process is still the same. This will give you an understanding of why it’s not First In, First Out and how applications get coded and sorted into different “lines”, of which, some move faster and some move slower!
Penn State is not true rolling admission - they are modified rolling admission…apply by a certain date, hear by a certain date. That’s it!
@jlhpsu Question about the process. If an applicant is deemed “not a good fit” for UP by admissions, is the application then sent to the second choice campus for further review, or will the AOs at UP make a decision?
No I am pretty sure it stays at UP and they send out the acceptance for the commonwealth campus. Usually, if a student thought they might get into UP but misses, they are qualified for the commonwealth campuses. Those that don’t think they can get into UP and might be borderline for the commonwealth campus usually apply directly to the commonwealth. So, IN GENERAL, if you apply to UP and they deem you not qualified, they will offer you your back up campus. I’ve never seen someone denied from both that applied first to UP, although I’m sure it happens occasionally.
@jihpsu what’s the deal with being reassessed for a different major if you are denied admission for your first choice. Both my son and I spoke to people in admissions and they said if he doesn’t get into engineering to call and they will reassess for another major. Do you know others who have done that? If so when do those decisions come through usually another 10 weeks etc? Thanks !!!
@goteam2 That is true, you can call to be re evaluated for a different major. It doesn’t take as long as the first decision but it does put you behind those who applied for that major in the same decision timeframe as you. You will not get a second decision before people who haven’t gotten their first.
For example, if you applied during regular decision for engineering and get denied and call to be re-evaluated for DUS, you won’t get a decision until after everyone who applied DUS in regular decision has gotten their decision.
@ziveli513 Apples to oranges. Students getting a decision now are in the same applicant pool as everyone else that applied in early decision. They aren’t at any advantage, it’s just random as I’ve explained before. But if you’ve ALREADY gotten a decision, they will not give someone else a second decision before those who were “in line” in the decision pool got their FIRST decision. That’s very fair. By the time you ask for a reconsideration, the deadlines for your applicant pool had likely already passed. They can’t keep kicking the decision down the road for those who have been waiting in order to reconsider someone who was already denied.
To answer your question, I know this in several ways. One, I was a Penn State parent ambassador volunteer;
Two, when my daughter applied and waited 5 months for her decision, I was really very stressed that some had gotten denied and were asking for reconsideration for DUS before my daughter got her first decision about DUS. I called and spoke at length with an admissions rep (not who answers the phones) who told me that no second wave decisions are made until all regular decisions had been made for DUS. She also cautioned me that decisions are released in waves. Not always in order either. So there is a small chance that a second decision applicant might get a decision POSTED first, but that the decision was already made for the first applicant - just not released yet. It’s confusing, but overall fair. I also participated in the admissions open chats online and they said the same thing.
And lastly, I ran into the dean of admissions in the hallway during a tour and I asked this same question and was told the same thing.
Things can always change, but in watching this board for a long time, it seems to hold. That being said, people who ask to be reconsidered (after a denial) usually hear within a few weeks because the deadline has passed and they are able to process them.
As for you changing your daughter to DUS now, that’s a different story…It’s possible that because you are doing that after the EA deadline, she will get moved to Regular decision. But the only way to know for sure is to call and speak to an actual admission rep - not the people who answer the phone.
I’m sure this question must have been answered somewhere along the way but I have not come across it… Is the portal only updated with decisions once daily (such as overnight), or is it completely random depending upon when a counselor finishes a review? Trying to minimize the portal checking, if possible.
Hi! I have been constantly checking websites like this for weeks trying to understand who is getting accepted and not. You seem very knowledgeable so I was wondering if you could give me some feedback. For some background I am female and caucasion. I applied DUS with an SAT score of 1040 and UW GPA of 3.0 and W 3.3. I have taken 12 AP classes and various other honors classes. I attend a public school in Pennsylvania where I’m ranked 144/320. My aunt, mom and grandmother all also attended Penn State. I did very poorly my freshman year but after took school more seriously but still suffered from migraines so I would get B, B+, A- ‘s in the honors and AP classes, I only ever got one C+ in AP gov after the C’s my freshman year, so I do also show improvement. I applied October 21st with early action and said I would also attend summer session. I have not heard back but I did also mail a letter thanking them for their tour on campus and explaining how I felt UP was my home. I also am involved in a list of extracurriculars; interning, varsity sports, various leadership roles, organizing events, National Honor Society, English Honor Society and remaining very involved in the community. I developed a very strong personal statement as well. Multiple people I talked to said that although my GPA and SATs are very low that I have done everything I can and it looks good. I know they also take a more holistic approach, which could go in my favor. Also my school grading scale is unique I believe and harder than most.
@egk2023 I don’t know who told you that Penn State takes a holistic approach. They really do not. The criteria for admission is 2/3 GPA and 1/3 SAT and other factors. That means everything you listed as ‘extra’ PLUS your test scores would be in that 1/3. Most of that 1/3 is the test score itself.
That being said, I am sorry if I am the first one to tell you this, but a 3.0 UW and a 3.3 W coupled with a 1040 SAT is almost certainly going to be denied UP admission. You are a fit for the commonwealth campuses such as Altoona, Behrend or Harrisburg, but barring you being a recruited athlete, your GPA and your test scores are both well below the middle 50% and will most likely lead to an admission to a commonwealth campus.
Hi, I was also wondering if you would give me some feedback on my stats. I have a 3.95 GPA and 5.6 weighted GPA.
I got a 1220 on my SAT. I am also involved in like 6 clubs (I know you said that clubs do not matter that much) and I have a job. However, I applied for engineering and I know engineering is hard to get into. Thank you!
They told us themselves at the admissions presentation that they understand things happen within the hs career (sicknesses, death of family members, etc.) that might cause you to not do as well academically as others which is why they do encourage a personal statement. Also, https://admissions.psu.edu/info/future/firstyear/applicationreview/.
@egk2023 Penn State does consider those things, but only in that 1/3. They have heard every single excuse in the book for lower GPA. You can explain it in a personal statement but if you don’t have documentation and guidance counselor notes etc, it won’t go far. I hope I am wrong, and I wish you the best! Unfortunately for many, slacking off Freshman year hurts a lot of kids. Your one saving grace is that you took very difficult rigor. That may make up the difference and I hope it does
@egk2023 , your stats are below the 25th percentile. Test wise, you are a full 200 points below what is needed. This score, along with GPA, would indicate that UP just is a high reach for you. Yes, admissions MAY look at extenuating circumstances if you are on the bubble. Unfortunately, you aren’t really on the bubble with a 3.0 and 1040. PSU receives tens of thousands of applications from kids who are above the 25th percentile. Demand far exceeds the supply of spots.
I still wish you luck as you never know. Maybe your personal statement will catch the attention of the admissions counselor. Please make sure you apply to a few match and safety schools. Since you live in PA, you may want to try Temple or one of the PASSHE schools. West Chester is beautiful!
@jlhpsu Do you have insight as to how the Schreyer process works? Is it completely based on the essays and if you complete the essays and submit by 12/3 do you always need to wait until mid-Feb/March or do some acceptances come out earlier?
@DonCornelious Schreyer acceptances will come out at one specific time and date. In the past, the applicant has received an email in January or so with the date and time that the portal will be updated. Typically, no Schreyer answers have gone out prior to that date. It is a different process and not rolling.