less than 5% acceptance rate has been reported, unsure the source but I’ve seen it a few places.
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VERY… and now DUS is becoming the new Smeal
excellent points.
I know that Schreyer staff does a deep dive into a transcript. So any red flags would be identified at that time.
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Daughter waitlisted to UP campus for direct Smeal admit. Is it too late to ask admissions to reconsider for DUS? Or any other majors close to Business that can be looked into? Thanks
DS still has not heard anything from UP. He had applied EA but due to SAT scores getting there late he was moved to RD. I called the office yesterday and they said by the end of Jan or early Feb. This is such a long process 
Same exact situation for us - except with the ACT. That was a frustrating delay / hiccup in the process which has really dragged it out.
We are OOS and my son got 2+2 for Aero Eng. I don’t know much about Penn State but why is everyone so negative about 2+2? He’ll still get to UP and his diploma will still be Penn State, right? Perhaps some closer attention in his earlier classes would help transition to college?
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That’s a good attitude. At which of the commonwealth campuses would he start? Altoona, Harrisburg, and Erie (Behrend) are the most residential and would be best for an OOS student.
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Harrisburg. We have family in and around Philly.
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Harrisburg currently has the largest student population of the commonwealth campuses, though still a small/medium sized school (4651 students as of fall 2023). It has added additional on-campus housing in recent years. It has ABET-accredited majors in several engineering fields, though only UP has Aero, so he would need to do the 2+2. Tuition at the commonwealth campuses is significantly less than at UP, especially for OOS students.
I think it’s just a different college experience. It’s much much smaller compared to UP and some kids just want that big campus experience that they wouldn’t get at a branch. Nothing wrong with the branch, I think just a preference thing.
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Yeah it’s a good option for lots of people. Quite a few kids from our area head to Erie as a first preference, then transfer to main campus later. Some eventually decide to stay in Erie if their major allows it.
Honestly depends on why you want Penn State. If you love the idea of a huge bustling campus and D1 sports and football Saturday… that’s not really Erie or Altoona.
But if you don’t really care about that stuff, 2+2 is great.
Well this is a timely headline today about PA schools.
OOS
GPA 4.4 weighted, 3.9 unweighted
Strong course rigor
Did Calc, but not AP Calc
Test optional
Was EA: deferred for Smeal UP.
Did not select summer start
Yesterday found portal update: 2+2 Harrisburg
No email from PSU yet.
We AREN’T 
But all’s well, she has some great options so far, including Kelley with strong merit.
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Same here our DS got into Abington campus with 2+2. No clue if there are GPA requirements or any other criteria to be able to transfer to the main campus. I will watch the forum if any parents have insight.
Is that before or after asking for reconsideration?
What major?
Same situation with me- it is a little comforting to know that other people understand!! I hope you get your decisions soon!! 
just a few reminders:
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you will not get an email from Penn State if there is a portal update. Yes, its a bad system, but that’s how they do it. Don’t get mad because they don’t follow a different university’s process.
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Snail mail will follow (a few days later) any decision made. Don’t be the monkey on crack checking the portal and just wait for the mail. Or wait a week and check then.
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anyone who applied RD should hear by Jan. 31st. I realize those who thought they applied EA and were pushed into RD are frustrated because they haven’t heard yet. The unfortunate reality is if your application was not complete by Nov. 1st, it is the same as if you applied on Nov. 30th. Don’t fault Penn State because you missed the deadline. Anyone deferred should also hear by then.
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Anyone applying for Smeal or Engineering can get into those majors from DUS. THE ENTRANCE TO MAJOR CLASSES ARE EXACTLY THE SAME. No one is “in” their major if they are in Smeal until they meet the same requirements as the ones from DUS. If you meet the requirements, you are in. It is not an application or an exception process.
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If you are unhappy with your decision, request reconsideration. Follow the directions. Find something different that is less competitive that you can request: summer start, different major, etc. It may be too late. It may not be. You won’t know unless you try.
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If you are requesting reconsideration, I hope that Penn State is your number one choice. Don’t force admissions to jump through hoops and look at your application again unless you intend to accept admission if a different answer if given. Not fair to others to request reconsideration if this is an ego thing.
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If you are offered summer admission, it is because you checked summer start. If you can’t do summer start and are offered it, then why did you check it?
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Summer is a great program. Search on LEAP and you will find information from experienced parents about it. Highly recommended.
sorry if I’m coming off harsh. its been a long day and these questions/comments are frequently repeated. just needed to get it off the proverbial chest.
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I applied EA but my scores sending late pushed me to RD- I just saw my decision on lionpath tonight!! My test optional button went away at around 7:00 PM and I saw the decision at 9:50 PM.
Applied Oct 31
In state
No summer start
GPA 4.6 weighted, 3.95 unweighted
3 APS with tests, 3 for this year, and some honors classes across the years
TO: I submitted my scores actually which was a bit of a risky move but I had a 1280 and a 1340
I am in at University Park for psych in the fall!
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Can I just say. I think submitting scores for next year applicants when you are in the range might be the way to go. My opinion based on what I witnessed this year, Penn State likes test scores.