Transferring from 2+2 (Branch Campus) Explanation

Colleges and Universities A-Z Penn State
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<p>Hello</p>

<p>This is a explanation for people who want always had questions about transferring to University Park through the 2+2 program from branch campuses.</p>

<p>If you were either denied from University Park initially from freshman year or even accepted there but decided to go to a Branch campus then let me explain.</p>

<p>The program is called 2+2 for a good reason. For most Penn State majors they REQUIRE you to spend 2 years at branch campus for enrollment control reasons(lack of housing at University Park) and (too many people in classes). I have researched this topic many times and and tried all sorts of ways to transfer earlier etc. However, please let me explain how transferring works, normal or early transfer.</p>

<p>How the 2+2 program works is that you apply for your major after sophomore year, and you get a automatic change of campus into University park for junior year major.</p>

<p>However, many people have always asked is it possible to transfer early etc etc</p>

<p>The answer is probably not.</p>

<p>There are only a few select majors at Penn State that have early change of campuses.</p>

<p>Astronomy(astrophysics) requires change of campus after one year.</p>

<p>From college of engineering:
Architectural engineering-after 1 year
Computer science-some campuses 1.5 years
Chemical engineering-1.5 years
There are even some campuses that might have chemical engineering after 1 year, check your campus schedule of courses to see when you would transfer.</p>

<p>But the general point is that, most majors you cant transfer earlier.
Penn State gives students hard times to transfer early especially for College of Engineering and College of Business because those are the most hardest program to get into.</p>

<p>Some people suggest that just change your major to get early change of campus, however I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS!</p>

<p>If you change your major just to transfer early, you will be stuck in your major. Penn State has hard rules about once you are in your major, it is almost impossible to get out of it! So dont change your life plans because of a early change of campus!</p>

<p>However, there are some exceptions of the rules above. For example, if you are really ahead of your classes at your campus, you can request early change of campus to get in ONLY if you cant take any more courses for your major. </p>

<p>I had one friend who transferred a year earlier because he took 30 credits a semester and ran of courses to take at our campus.</p>

<p>Some colleges, other than engineering and business might consider a medical excuse or something official like-its cheaper at university park in order to transfer earlier.</p>

<p>Penn State even gives students transferring from other Universities a hard time to get into University Park</p>

<p>For example in engineering, transfer students from other universities(two year transfers) cant do certain enrollment control majors such as mechanical, aerospace chemical majors etc</p>

<p>Also even if you transfer from different university after 1 year and want to go to UP they WILL send you to a branch campus for that 1 last year before your entrance to major.</p>

<p>If you have any more questions, you can ask below and I will be happy to help you.</p>

<p>Thanks
Obiwan22</p>

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<p>BUMP as more people are getting responses back and need answers to these questions</p>

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<p>What is the point of 2+2 plan? Why doesnt penn state just accept you or reject you?</p>

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<p>The entire point of 2+2 is that students who start attending branch campuses can have the option to finish their degree at University Park. All majors can be started at a branch campus and finished at University Park.</p>

<p>Penn State really doesnt deny you when you apply because if you dont get accepted to University Park you can still apply to branch campus and get in. However, you really had to be a terrible student to get denied from branch campus. </p>

<p>The 2+2 program has been around for 40 years and is a great way for students to save money by attending branch campus and then transfer.</p>

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<p>Do I have to apply separately to branch campuses? Because when I applied, it said to pick an alternative so I chose a branch campus, is there a separate application? And in the future, does it say on your record you did the 2+2 or is it the same as if you attended UP all four years?</p>

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<p>When you apply to Penn State, its the regular application. If you get denied from University Park, they will send you a package asking you to pick an alternative campus. You can either call them and tell them your campus you want to attend or send the form back. </p>

<p>Your transcript will say which campus you attended for each semester at Penn State. However, once you graduate your diploma will say your graduating campus. So if you started out on branch campus and did 2+2 and finished at University Park. Your degree will say University Park.</p>

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<p>Thanks! But could you tell me the significant difference between 2+2 and all four years at university park. I mean there probably is a difference which is why people want to be accepted to up their first year.</p>

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<p>There is nothing wrong in starting 2+2. Alot students choose this option by living closer to home by a branch campus and you actually end up saving money by paying less for tuition for two years!</p>

<p>I mean, generally speaking University Park is a bigger campus, there are alot more activities and things for students to do. </p>

<p>However, 2+2 is a great program. Especially if you go to a Penn State campus that has a well developed college. Probably the best option to do 2+2 would be to start at Penn State Erie. It has the strongest programs regionally and even in the country. There is alot of student diversity and the job placement results are very very strong. I myself started there and I have no regrets and I have gained much more experience(internships, research) starting there than I would have gained at University Park.</p>

<p>If you have any specific questions about 2+2 or Penn State Erie, you can message me and I will happy to answer them for you!</p>

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<p>I was planning on abington. Is this a good branch campus?</p>

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<p>Did you also do the 2+2 program? How hard is it to transfer after two years?</p>

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<p>I dont know too much about Penn State abington. I think your best bet would be to go and visit yourself before you make decision. Some branch campuses dont even have housing(dorms) and well established clubs/activities etc. However, the most popular choices where students attend for 2+2 would be Penn State Harrisburg, Altoona or Erie. I have visited all of them, they are the top 3 biggest branch campuses. In my opinion, Penn State Erie is the best one of them all, all of the branch campuses for that matter. Like I mentioned earlier, you can message me any certain questions about Penn State Erie and I will do best to answer for you.</p>

<p>Yes, I also did 2+2 for Aerospace Engineering. It isnt hard to transfer at all! Penn State really doesnt even call it a transfer. You dont have to reapply back to University Park again. You transfer 2+2 based upon once you get into your major which usually happens in your 4th semester. As long as you get into any major, you are guaranteed to transfer to University Park. Most majors at Penn State only require 2.0 gpa to get in, but others like business and engineering, certain classes must be completed with C or greater and your overall GPA must comply with entrance to major qualifications. For example engineering, most majors require 3.0 gpa and business anywhere from 3.2-3.5.</p>

<p>But in terms of getting into a major, the process is the SAME for all Penn State students regardless of your starting campus. So students at University Park need to have the same GPA/classes as the students starting at Penn State branch campus. So basically speaking, starting at University Park DOESNT give you power over students at branch campuses, you are all ranked the same GPA!</p>

<p>Cheers!</p>

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<p>Wow the campus for Erie is so nice! If I were to ask to change the campus who should I call?</p>

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<p>Yes Penn State Erie is very nice!
You can call Penn State admissions and tell them what campus you want to go to.
They will then send your information to which ever campus you chosen and another admissions letter will come in the mail.</p>

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<p>Well don’t I have to be accepted first? Is it hard to be accepted with 1800 sat?</p>

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<p>Well yea, of course you have to apply first lol! I thought you already did that.</p>

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<p>I applied in november. but i havent got my reply yet so idk</p>

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<p>Does Erie have dorms? Could you specifically tell me about what its like there with roommates and all that</p>

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<p>One question from me… does penn state accept international students for small campuses or the majority of int’l students are in UPark? How many int’l students did u get to see at erie?</p>

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<p>I didnt do any research on small campuses(no active groups on facebook :slight_smile: so i chose abington</p>

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<p>And how hard is it to get accepted?
I am an international student. 1750 SAT… top 5% in class… excellent essay… normal ECs(2 industrial internships)
Plz tell me!
Worried :l</p>