Summer session? DUS?

I am new to this and I apologize for asking very basic questions. I keep reading about these in the threads but not quite sure what they mean exactly…or the purpose of these two programs? It sounds like Summer session is easier to get into?

Well I should say I know what summer session means but I am not sure of its significance to the whole application process…

Summer session is an option for some students. The admission requirements for summer are slightly below those of Fall. DUS = Division of Undergraduate Studies = Undecided major. It’s not a program - it’s a major at Penn State which is really just their Undecided major.

In GENERAL, the most beneficial way to apply in order to maximize the chance of being accepted is DUS with the option for summer checked. This means you are applying undecided and you are willing to go for summer IF you don’t get accepted for fall. If Fall is selected with the option for summer, then Penn State will first evaluate the application for fall admission, and only move on to evaluate for summer if the applicant was not admitted for fall. There is not downside in checking the summer option - with the exception then that you must go in the summer if you are admitted to that session (ie…you can’t then change to fall admission because the fall application was already denied).

Keep in mind, there are a few majors that are direct admit so you cannot start in DUS. For other majors, you have to either be pre-major in that college OR DUS in order to apply for the major your junior year (Smeal is like this).

For some, the only way they get to UP campus as a freshman is starting in the summer. My daughter (a current Junior) did the LEAP summer program (which is just an optional program within the summer session) and could not have been happier with that. I also have a son at Penn State Altoona.

Don’t worry about asking basic questions. There are many of us here who don’t have kids applying any longer who stick around simply to answer these types of questions!

@jlhpsu Thank you! You are so kind.

This helps a ton! Does this mean students admitted to summer session are given additional ‘required’ courses in order to ‘catch up’ with the fall session students?

Summer session kids generally take 6 credits, which is two classes. These will be general ed classes so they will work with any major. The idea isn’t so much for them to catch up, but to have a slower roll out to college requirements and they also have study skill sessions, etc…in order to prepare the students for the rigors of life at Penn State as much as possible.

If they go in the summer, they have the option to join LEAP (Learning Edge Academic Program) which means they pick a “pride” or group and everyone in that group will take the same two classes and participate in the same activities. In this way, students also get to know a bunch of other people before fall starts.

Because the criteria for summer are only slightly less than fall, there are some that feel it is simply a way for Penn State to get more $$. I personally don’t feel that way as I do think it’s a great benefit and allows those borderline kids the opportunity to still get to UP campus as a freshman. But the cost is significant, especially if out of state. I think for UP we spent about 7k for room, board and tuition. It was worth it to us, but to some, it’s not. But that’s a personal choice based on finances and academic plans. My daughter had a lot of credits going in, adding in the summer classes…she started fall freshmen year an entire semester ahead with 18 credits. This allowed her to take easier classloads and take extra classes in preparation for after degree studies.

@jlhpsu Thank you SO much! Very helpful!