When I called two weeks ago the lady said that they evaluate applications individually and holistically - that if they compared applications one against the other they “would never get through them”. So if that is true, then the order REALLY matters - because yes, at some point slots will be filled.
So to reiterate (though you seem to be someone who totally gets my point)… Before he agreed to the wait list he had a portal message that said something like (and we can’t see this message anymore): “After reviewing your application we believe you have what it takes to succeed at UP. But there are no slots available. You can wait or take a 2+2.”
So he’s already cut out for UP. But slots were “not available”. Two weeks ago the lady said, “What gave you the idea there was no more room?” (At the time I couldn’t think of a response, but gee! That would be: The Portal!) Well, guess what, if he was good enough for UP, he was good enough back in October when he applied, and had he been looked at in order, based on everything they have said, he would not be on a wait list.
Some of the things I have just shared here I hadn’t brought to the top of my mind until just now. Usually so much information is exchanged I only post the most important things to CC after a phone call. But yes, one admissions counselor actually said those things.
Whatevs. (I hate when kids say that, but that about sums it up!) He’ll do well wherever and however.
@MyaCocoa sorry apparently I didn’t state what I meant to say well! Hoping bluntness will be better. Your son has a unique situation. I would ask them to reconsider based on his triple major and the fact that he could not pursue it at a 2+2.
If you get to the right person he may have a positive outcome. I really was only trying to be positive and it definitely came out wrong. I get it sorry for that.
@Provincetown I was just trying to say that my son would have to deal with a 2+2 because that would be the best school for him to graduate from. @MyaCocoa taught me (and him) a valuable lesson- there are only 17 schools with his major-he will apply to a good number of them. I am so thankful of that.
@skybunny2 I would also advise you to visit as many as you can. We were absolutely shocked about the (great) reputation of some vs. our (very negative) reaction to visiting. Everyone is different and reactions will be different. Some I went to thinking “meh” and ended up loving, USC being one. One that we both hated, my son joked (darkly) at every stop in the tour - basically “I’d rather be dead than live here for 4 years”. It’s great to have choices, but if a student is evaluating factors that cannot be seen online… nothing tops a visit. Imagine if we hadn’t gone to the one we hated, and he’d applied and gotten in and accepted based on reputation and photos! What a miserable kid we’d have had!
Obviously you can’t see all 17, but do what you can to get a feel for the things that matter to your son when there. He (and you) might be surprised. I know we were. That’s how we visited 6 that we felt were strong - and worth the money to visit - and only applied to 3! And the one we hated? Had to fly, highest hotel at over $300/night. And we stayed an extra day to “see the sights” because beforehand we were SO convinced that would be The One! Then we were like, what do we do this extra day in this place we hate??? Haha. But we booked flights and hotels in advance.
@MyaCocoa thank you for all your insight. I know you spent a lot of money on the “no way am I going here option” but in hindsight it’s probably money well spent. I really was only on CC to get an idea of which major he should apply to- and never expected to learn so much.
Now if for some reason things work out and he decides to go to UP although hotels are always sold out for parents weekend and things like that - call the hotels directly and put your name on the waitlist - patience is key- I have always been able to get a room at a good price. I am sure this advise works for every University though!
@skibunny2 Now that you mention it, I have been wondering for some time now how far OUT (in distance) the hotels fill up. Any idea? I am really curious about your 17 schools. You can PM me if you want to.
I’m not sure about distance, but as for time I just booked my hotel for move in days. Hoping to book soon for parents weekend. I’d book out as far in advance as you can otherwise hotels will get very expensive.
I want to reiterate what @Sophley said about the 2+2 program. Specifically if it’s done at one of the 4 year commonwealth campuses like Altoona, Harrisburg or Erie…it’s a pretty typical college experience at a medium sized school. There are clubs, sports, dorms, dining halls, activities, etc…The benefit is that there are smaller classes and students who want or need that kind of class aren’t getting lost at the 200-800 people classes at Penn State UP. If you are out of state and have other cheaper options, then I’m not referencing you here.
There seems to be a negative connotation with the 2+2 in that it means that those who go there weren’t “as smart” as those who go to UP directly and that’s just not true. A full 60% of all Penn State grads did the 2+2. 60%! It works for many and is an actual choice for many.
From my own personal experience, I can tell you this. My son started at Altoona and did GREAT there. The professors were accessible, the classes were small and the social groups easy to navigate because it was smaller. HIs (then) major required him to go to UP after only a year. He was excited - but now at the end of his sophomore year he is the first to tell you that he wishes he’d stayed at Altoona another year. It’s been a tough year.
Your student may be top of his or her class in high school and still struggle with UP classes, especially the weed out beginning engineering and business classes. Do not get over confident. There are always parents who are shocked that their kid struggles at Penn State. It’s a very rigorous academic environment.
That being said, if your child ONLY wanted a big school etc…then ok. I know my oldest daughter wanted nothing to do with the commonwealth campuses (She’s graduating in May). She wanted that big school environment from the start.
She was accepted to UP as a freshman but now, after 4 years of maturity, she will tell you that dismissing the commonwealth campuses outright was more of an ego thing for her than anything. Many of her friends began at a commonwealth.
It’s perfectly ok to decide that the commonwealth campuses are not for you - it’s another wholeheartedly to believe the commonwealth campuses won’t give you an excellent education or are filled with less academically minded students. That is just not true.
Just food for thought as some of you are considering your options.
Call the Dean of Admissions on Monday. Explain the whole thing (including the summer selective program in China). I’m sure you’ll be calm - but someone higher up needs to know what mess was made. Even if it doesn’t advance your child per se, someone has to know otherwise nothing will change. In addition, at this point, it can only “unblock” things.
@MyaCocoa someone posted about this year admissions seems as of feb 19 100k applicants, 10% more deposits then last year … applications up 42% compared to last year same date. OOS applications up 72% and 3201 paid the deposits for UP while 2,457 for the commonwealth campuses
Wow. Just wow. So those numbers @airway1 means that from psu admin this admissions mess is a great success for them
For all those qualified students who applied early action and weren’t admitted watching those who applied later with clearly lower stats that were admitted …not such a great success
I’m haunted by the sweet student who was a legacy all the way back to her great grandmother!
Her stats should have gotten her in, she was so positive and took it well and waited even longer than the 7 months we did
And then she went off to university of Alabama to start a new legacy she said
@MyaCocoa sending you good wishes and positive energy and hoping that you get through to the right person to hear your sons story
@MYOS1634 but you can start with the required subject at a commonwealth campus as all three would have the same requirements at the start then do the core subjects at UP. Does that not work?
