Takeaways from the Admission Chats (2014)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Penn State
1

Hi folks,
Last year I did all of the admission chats and I posted some takeaways from those chats in the threads last year. I thought it might be helpful to post the re-caps again for those who are going through the process now. These are two chat takeaways - both from November 2014.

NOVEMBER 4, 2014 ADMISSION CHAT TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Some people are getting admission decisions now, however, MOST people will not find out until Mid December through end of January if they have a completed application prior to November 30th. Date of application is not relevant for date of acceptance. Decision timetables are based on major, campus, session, GPS, scores etc... and are not in order of application.
    1. PSU does not see how many times you check your status on MyPennState
    2. ONLY freshmen live in East Halls, but freshmen also live in Pollack and North. North has suite style dorms, and freshmen can live there, but there are a lot of upperclassmen as well.
    3. Sororities live on campus, Fraternities live off campus
    4. Going to main campus from a branch campus is dependent on meeting the requirements for your major, which is why it takes most people two years. You can discuss with your academic advisor if it is possible to UP sooner if you have dual enrollment credits etc...but most will do the 2+2 if you start at a branch and wish to go to UP.
    5. Summer session - if you select summer session as an option, you must actually be open to that. If you are accepted into summer, you cannot change into fall admission.
    6. gym memberships are $50 a semester or $100 a year and include classes and equipment etc..
    7. There were a lot of specific questions about Shreyers and different majors. I copied the chat into a word document. I don't know if it's possible to attach that here in CC anywhere?
    8. LOR are NOT considered in regular applications. EC's are considered as is legacy status.
    9. If anything in your application has changed since you applied, you should contact admissions.
    10. No preference given to OOS vs. In State vs. International
    11. If you want to participate in the next chat, you can register on their admissions website http://admissions.psu.edu/info/chats/ The next chat is November 10th.

I hope that helps some people! It was a beneficial chat for my DD.

NOVEMBER 10, 2014 ADMISSION CHAT TAKEAWAYS

  • Applications are considered in a random order. Not based on application date whatsoever if you apply prior to November 30th
    • Everyone who applies prior to November 30th receives the SAME consideration. So even though others may be getting decisions now, there is enough "room" for everyone who applies prior to November 30th.
    • They update MyPennState 7 days a week, once a day, overnight, but most updates occur M-F
    • They do NOT recalculate GPA, they compare your performance ONLY to your school's scale - not against anyone else
    • Senior grades are NOT considered so don't send them. They DO consider the rigor of your senior year schedule though
    • Applying undeclared does not do anything to hurt your application
    • Admissions always tries to give you your first choice first. So applying with a branch alternate will not hurt you getting into main.
    • Summer session is less competitive to get into than Fall. Students take classes together and live in same dorms. Then they move out and into a different dorm for fall. You can choose your fall roommate based on summer session.
    • If you have already applied and would like to be considered for summer, you can still add that onto your application by e mailing admissions.

-If you have been admitted to fall, but WANT to start in the summer, you can switch starting sessions

  • Legacy accounts for a small part of the decision
  • The on campus career fair held every year is the largest career fair east of the Mississippi
  • Freshmen cannot live with upperclassmen
  • Some dorms are co/ed by floor and other are co/ed on the same floor
  • Participation in chats is not tracked and has no bearing on admissions
  • Greek life accounts for 17% of student body

That’s it folks!
I wish someone had done this with the other chats in previous years, but I thought a quick summary might be helpful to those who couldn’t attend.

2

Thank you so much for this summary! I am an alum, I have a D at UP and a HS senior S applying for UP admission… My D heard 12/3 the year she applied… My S still in review status. Nerve wracking as UP is his first choice. He has 3.93 GPA, top 20% of class with lots of AP/honors classes. SAT is on the low end of UP range… He applied DUS for Fall and DUS summer as 2nd choice. Crossing fingers