Just a little theory, the day I got the defered message, back in late December, earlier that day I was getting a similar message and it wouldn’t let me log into the portal. Then I checked it later at work (horrible idea) and saw the dreadful news that I had been defered. Maybe the same thing happening now?
Last time there were this many crashes they stated that it was due to admissions uploading decisions. I can only imagine with all the applications to decide upon and the upcoming deadline (Jan 31st) that they are working harder now.
Just checked and still nothing. This wait seems like it never ends?
My portal was down earlier and it’s back to the deferral message now. I’m so over this waiting :((
I thought that since I applied Early Action and got deferred I would at least hear early in January but I guess that’s not the case. I think (like another poster stated prior) we are all just mixed in with the Regular Decision applicants at this point.
my portal is down again…
just logged in and mine worked, no decision though
I just tried logging in and got an error page.
Is it worth it to apply to PSU at this point if I am looking for merit scholarships? Also do I self report mid year grades, too? (I don’t have the app up.)
Was able to login. No change.
Error message gone, logged in, still message deferred due to high volume applications, 1/31
Sigh : :-S 20 days to go, we hope
Still receiving error message here
@equationlover No, don’t bother applying if you are looking for merit scholarships. Penn State gives very little in merit scholarships, no matter when you apply.
Also, take into account the increased population of the Coalition Application. More schools are adding it, therefore, increasing applicants overall - not just for PSU but for many other Universities.
I just tried signing in and got the error page also.
@“thestackfamily@gmail.com”
Good point about coalition application. We definitely applied to a few extra safe schools because they were on coalition app
Did penn state direct though
How about you? Are you waiting to hear result from coalition app? Early action? 
Hi this is my first post on here, I applied though the coalition to university park for Mechanical Engineering back in late September as early action and I was deferred. Recently my friend with lower stats then me was accepted to UP for journalism. Knowing that mechanical engineering is a selective major I was wondering if it would be beneficial to contact admissions and request my major to be changed to DUS or if I should just wait for my regular decision to come out. If anyone could put in their opinion I would appreciate it.
My stats are:
SAT: 1290 (700 math, 590 reading)
GPA (weighed 5.3): 4.167
GPA (unweighted): 3.82
Rank: does not rank
Extras: play ice hockey and run track for school, multiple jobs over the years
Residency: in state
@bronsonkilroy Your stats are similar to my son who was accepted for aerospace engineering right before Christmas. However, they placed him in their 2+2 program with a start at the alternative campus then UP. That said, being OOS, we asked to be reconsidered for Summer start at UP.
Just had a thought. I’m wondering if anyone who applied EA got a denial and the others who may be borderline or they didn’t get to those apps yet, received the deferred status?
Penn State’s definition of “What does a deferred decision mean?” on their FAQ forum now says “It means that a student’s decision timeline has been deferred to our November Priority review timeline and the applicant will receive an admissions decision of admit, deny or waitlist by the end of January.” I think this means they’ll be waitlisting this year… https://admissions.psu.edu/info/future/firstyear/applicationreview/earlyaction/what-does-a-deferred-decision-mean/