My kid is awaiting for the official National Merit Semi-Finalist (qualified by getting a 1520 psat score). Does it make a difference to wait or apply now to Penn State - especially for Schreyers or Scholarship consideration?
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It doesn’t. PSU is unfortunately very stingy with scholarship money (basically expect none unless among the lucky few who get into Schreyer or become Millenium scholars). Schreyer doesn’t consider test scores at all - it all rests on essay quality (+ recommendation + curriculum rigor with As).
However, as long as the application is received by October 15 with the STARS (= formerly known as SRAR 
) and test scores sent, it doesn’t make a difference. So you can wait a month if you wish - if your child has official August test scores sent make sure it’s requested as soon as you have the results.
Thank you. Already have a decent SAT scores and other items are ready to go but we had varied opinions on when to submit. I said submit now vs them wanting to wait so this is helpful.
Yes, submit now. My S was a NMSF and received a small scholarship freshman year. In October! There was a random refund that was a tuition refund that we later found out was for NMSF. Not exactly a decision point in his decision!
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From the Penn State admissions page, it looks like the Schreyer application is due on 12/2 (11/1 to request an interview). Am I missing something or is there a benefit to applying by 10/15? I do see that the BS/MD application is due by 10/15.
10/15 is my recommendation for the general application, to give PSU time to receive the test scores and process the STARS (/SRAR). Last year, some applicants submitted it all on 11/1 but since that srar hadn’t been processed by 11/1 they were sent to the 12/1 group. That deadline group doesn’t exist anymore, so I don’t know whether they’d give more leeway to those who applied by 11/1 or would do as they did previously. Why risk it?
11/1=for the Schreyer interview but it’s not a big deal to do or not do it - more an opportunity to ask questions and explain why you’re interested in what Schreyer offers.
Taking the time to write well thought-out essays for Schreyer is most important.
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What is the easiest major to apply in Smeal program?
Right out of high school, they’re all highly competitive.
After completing all pre-reqs it depends on your GPA - if you have the required gpa you’re automatically admitted to your chosen major (s).
If you want a business major that’s easier to get into than Smeal, you have Labor and Human Relations (in CLA), Agribusiness (in Ag), ETI (in IST), Energy Finance (in EMS), or Health Management (in HHD) - depending on your strengths (academics mainly but also ECs - for instance if you got a 5 in AP CS Principles and As in Graphic Design and DECA, ETI is a better choice than Energy Finance, and vice versa if you rule Physics, took AP Enviro, and got As in HS Accounting…)