I understand, so what would be the best course of action to maximize my chances for the main campus?
You have zero chance at main campus even DUS due to GPA. (2/3 admission decision is GPA+rigor, and thatās when you apply in the August-D3cember window.) Even without Engineering, 3.6 is the general threshold for University Park. At this point, popular majors are full -they even gave results for Schreyer and started registration for Orientation.
If you want to get a degree from the main campus, apply for DUS (Undecided) 2+2 with Behrend as 1dt campus (excellent Engineering campus) and Abington as alternate, and keep your fingers crossed. Do very well, get grades of C or higher in Math&Physics and a 3.2 overall GPA and you can go to the Main campus after 2 years (itās automatic).
You can also apply to PASSHE (PA public) universities.
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These community college transfer programs are for transfer to the PSU commonwealth (branch) campuses, not to main campus (University Park).
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To graduate from UP you should start at one of the 2+2 campuses. They serve the same purpose as CCs in other states because their courses count toward a degree at the flagship but are typically smaller and less cut throat, but in comparison with typical CCs theyāre more expensive. 
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thank you everyone, I will apply to UP for eng undecided and if I am rejected, I can always ask to be reconsidered for DUS, right? Otherwise I guess I will go with a 2+2 plan.
The application requires you to put down an alternate campus - just make sure you choose wisely, because this is the best option you will be offered.
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You will not get into UP Engineering or DUS with a 2.4/2.8 GPA. Asking for reconsideration will not work because your GPA is too low (ie., it may have worked if you had a 3.5, but not a sub-3.0 GPA).
If you insist on applying UP then alternate campus, rather than top branch campus for engineering then another branch with dorms, you just decrease your odds from 2 possibilities to perhaps one. And where time is of the essence, youāre wasting 6 weeks to have your application reviewed and rejected from UP, meaning majors are filling up at Behrend, increasing your odds of being rejected there too; more desirable branches are snapped up in the January-March reconsideration rounds and if you waste 6 weeks applying to UP then getting rejected, you may end up being offered DuBois instead of a more lively branch campus.
Behrend is an Engineering college where many people choose to stay and complete their degree and with most freshmen living on campus. Itās a true 4-year college and considered desirable for STEM, often put down as a 1st choice campus by STEM applicants.
You may even get rejected from Behrend as is but you can apply there DUS as a reach, with Abington or Berks as an alternate campus. Iād pick Abington for convenient access to Philadelphia but it means itās more commuter than Berks. Berks has a full MechE major meaning Engineering there is solid and will prepare you well for UP Engineering. Itās got dorm complexes for students.
https://www.abington.psu.edu/campus-life/residence-halls
https://berks.psu.edu/academics
Do you have other choices? What prompted this late application to Psu?
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My daughter tried to go through the process of uploading her immunization records, it kept reverting her back to an answered question?
She did this on her phone, could that be the problem?
Abington students also live at the College Station apartments, which are strictly for PSU students. This brings the total residents at Abington to 600 or so.
I remember my daughter having an issue with a file size that was too large or something. Double check that. And then call health services or email it to them and they can upload I think.
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Hello, thanks for all your advice. My reasoning for applying to Psu so late is because I was waiting on my first semester senior grades, and then Iāve been tweaking my essay ever since. I attend on submitting this week. My other choice is Upitt. I still intend on applying to UP as my backup plan would probably be community college and then transferring over a side campus.
Psu doesnāt really factor your essay into its decision so send your application today. (Also, havenāt 1st semester grades been in for 6 weeks or so?)
The longer you wait the more likely it is youāll be rejected. Not sure Pitt is still taking apps unless youre applying to the Johnston campus. This late in the cycle you should be applying to colleges like Slippery Rock, Loxk Haven, Bloomsburg, etc.
Not sure why you like Cc-> branch better than taking your shot applying branch-> UP or 4 years at PASSHE though.
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I have been accepted to Penn State but not committed since Iām waiting on other decisionsā¦
However, I was accepted for Summer start and want to start making plans in the event I do end up at PSU. So my friends, what are the dates for NSO? Itās not published anywhere on the website and I canāt really access anything since Iām not committed. Any information would be appreciated!
NSO and summer start are two different things.
NSO is the 2-day orientation when you sign up for classes. Generally, anyone with a summer start is given an earlier NSO to cycle them through. But the dates are dependant upon which college you have been admitted to (DUS, Engineering, LA, etc). They donāt have advisors from every college for every NSO, they are combined to make it easier for advisors (and for students to meet others in similar majors). In the past, NSOās have started the week after Memorial Day, but they continue all through the summer. Kids with a long-distance trip sometimes schedule NSO the day before summer start.
I think people have started scheduling NSO, hopefully, someone can chime in.
Hey there- maybe I can helpā¦ DS24 accepted UP DUS Summer start - Lion Pathā¦ and weāve been working on the NSO: New Student Orientation taskersā¦ thereās a healthy checklist to knock outā¦ mostly administrativeā¦ a math pre test if you havenāt taken HS calculusā¦acknowledgements, health records, vax. records, points of contact,etcā¦
But as for a date: it appears to be still pending:
Information about NSO and access to the NSO Tasklist for students admitted to:
- Penn State World Campus for summer or fall 2024 will be available in January 2024.
- All other campuses for summer or fall 2024 will be available in April 2024.
On our checklist it states:
Make Your Reservation to Attend NSO
Available on WED April 03, 2024.
Very helpful thank you!
I think I worded it awkwardly but my questions was more do summer start students have a super early NSO date. But itās good to know that there is one available right before summer session begins. Additionally, I was accepted to Smeal and plan on doing LEAP if I go to PSU. Iām very much OOS, so having a NSO close to summer start sounds appealing in terms of traveling.
I would recommenemd choosing a LEAP with micro or macro econ (to avoid a required course thatās typically weedout) and CAS if avalaible. Sign up the minute the LEAP prides open up!
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Thank you! Definitely deciding between Micro or Business Sat since Math isnāt my strong suit so its better to knock them out in the summer!
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