8 business days to go for we who wait, best wishes to all @MyaCocoa I especially hope you get happy news soon
Sadly the negativity in this thread has come from a few “veteran” posters or psu defenders who instead of posting remarks about psu admissions process and content of posts, have chosen to comment on the fitness or mental health or annoying personal qualities of people who post
No one here is bashing psu by expressing frustration with an admissions process that has been overwhelmed this year
Maybe if everyone would focus on the topics not the posters themselves it would be more positive, especially those who are not actually waiting for a decision
It’s really tough imo to get criticized while anxiously waiting by people who are no longer waiting
Maybe just answering direct questions would elevate the conversation as many of the veterans do, stick to the topics raised
There are also many many other threads to visit if the atmosphere here is so annoying
Squelching posters isn’t friendly, one of the rules of college confidential
@ziveli513 I really did think that this thread was only for parents and students awaiting decisions. I didn’t expect anyone else to be here except for maybe an admin or two keeping the posts on target and moving those to other forums that were in the wrong place. I personally cannot imagine having the time or energy to be on the forum after a decision, unless my other child applies in three years.
I did read a recent post that said as Jan 31 approaches the portal will update multiple times daily. We got a big postcard from PSU around Christmas that said to only check the portal once a day, preferably in the morning, because it is only updated once a day.
So if I point out the contradiction between the experienced poster and PSU’s own correspondence, am I “bashing” the poster, PSU, or both? If the veteran is correct for this year, am I allowed to be disappointed in PSU for saying otherwise in official correspondence? Should I wish the veteran didn’t raise my expectations for PSU because maybe that information was true some years ago, but maybe not true this year?
Those who are not going through the process this year, right now, cannot be aware of the mailings we get or their exact wording or timing. Without this information, it would not be possible to know how we waiters might be confused or even disappointed when the confusion leads to misplaced expectations.
Glad you are back. Your post gave me the courage to come back myself. (I am not aware of any other forums anywhere else to check out.)
All your posts are very much appreciated. We understand nothing here is official but it gives us something to look at and ponder. Stay positive! and Good Luch to all!
@prouddad2020 I feel like, I go the portal and nothing has changed. I check the admissions thread, and usually nothing has changed. I come here, and someone is saying something! “Update fix” achieved. But it’s like crack, you gotta keep coming back for a fix to hold you off a little longer! Ha!
@pama3115 I check all the portals everyday in the morning. Nothing yet by mail or email. He is considered International but we live in Virginia. College of Earth Science (petroleum Eng).
@MyaCocoa feels great! After a rejection and deferred it’s good to get an acceptance and to University Park
@airway1 Thanks Airway1. Congratulations to your son! As a PSU alumni, I know how rewarding a Penn State education and life experience is! Still waiting here for our son and hoping for the best.
Taking us back to a little positively after a long and at times frustrating wait. I know there have been what is perceived or real miscommunication by admissions and real or perceived mistakes. Hopefully Penn State is following this admissions philosophy that was posted months ago on this thread and remains on the PSU website:
First-Year Application Evaluation
The most important piece of our review is your academic record, which represents your individual four years of academic development. Penn State’s holistic assessment of application materials includes the academic courses, grades, and levels of those courses and standardized test scores, plus additional factors that may include an audition, a portfolio review, the geographic and cultural background of the student, the personal statement, and the activities list. We take a hard look at the many roles you serve as a student, sibling, athlete, son or daughter, volunteer, and/or employee. Assembling a class of students with diverse interests and experiences is a task that we take seriously.
Penn State does not have a minimum GPA or standardized test score used for admission. There are no such things as “cut-offs.” We review students in a holistic manner, taking into account a full range of factors.
@pama3115 thanks! Hopefully we will hear the great news from your end! This is my second stressful year after getting one son to Michigan state last year… I need a vacation from the stress I put myself into… we now have to wait and will avoid telling him until his ED school comes back with a decision.
I’m going to speak up for the veterans here…Be glad the veterans are here and that they give their time and energy to HELP YOUR KIDS. Because without us many of you would be wandering around without any idea as to how Penn State does things, because Penn State is not very transparent.
I am a mom of four, work, and am in nursing school full time. I have very little time to myself, but I log in here everyday to help parents and students choose the best options that get them admitted with the least amount of risk. When a question is asked, and I answer, the LAST thing I, or anyone else who gives their time here voluntarily, needs - is to be bashed by those asking the questions when they don’t like the answers. I, personally, have been ridiculously abused this admission cycle by a few posters…one who specifically went out of her way to create false accounts just to agree with herself and yell at me. True lunacy. For real. This is the first year that we’ve faced anyone being rude or yelling at us for answering questions honestly and politely…and VOLUNTARILY. Forgive us if we became not so polite after that.
You may be here for the few months that you need it, but there are about a dozen of us who STAY to help others…and over the 5 years I’ve been helping here - the VAST VAST majority of parents and students have been thankful for the advice from the veterans, and that advice has benefited many, many kids. Are we perfect? Nope. But also never claimed to be. It’s advice, take it, or leave it and scroll on by.
Those of us who’ve been here a long time know that this admission cycle is an anomaly with the vitriol and negativity here. WE have been here for the last 5+ years.
@MyaCocoa If you have information that directly contradicts something someone said here in giving advice, and you got that information directly from an admissions rep and not whomever answers the phones, then please share it here so that everyone can learn. NO ONE is here to give bad advice.
I didn’t find any of your posts to be bashing Penn State FYI. Some of my posts bash PSU - I’ve said continuously that they messed up doing EA and common app this time. I’m not a PSU pollyanna, but I do believe her strengths outweigh her faults. I truly hope you come to feel the same.
@jlhpsu We did get a large post card type mailing around Christmas saying only check the portal once a day because that is how often it updates.
I have never at any time shared my feelings or experiences at PSU, so I don’t know why you feel I need to come from a negative to a positive place. Whomever thinks they know how I feel has been seriously making assumptions. Obviously, would I be checking the portal and forums if I DIDN’T want my S admitted?
Your kids WILL get into Penn State. Kids whose stats have been indicated are within range The most important to get there is to know you’re not alone and that there are little tweaks that can increase your kids’ odds.
I’m willing to bet that starting Thursday there’ll be lots of good news for a week. Stay strong.
@MyaCocoa They do say that every year that the portal updates once a day. That being said, in the previous years there would be many updates in the last few days before the end decision date. Perhaps they will stick to the once a day thing this year, but I doubt it since they have SO SO many decisions to still release and doing so increases the odds of a catastrophic technology failure. In previous years, they’ve updated multiple times a day, that’s all I really speak to.
I wasn’t insinuating that you have to go from negative to positive. I’m sorry if you read it that way. My comment was only in relation to your experience with Penn State so far, which has been understandably frustrating. I was Only expressing hope that you do not always feel so frustrated with Penn State and that you come to view them as more positive than negative. That’s all. I have my fingers crossed for your daughter and an acceptance right around the bend.
The most important to get there is to know you’re not alone and that there are little tweaks that can increase your kids’ odds.