Ok, I’ll have him submit through the portal. Thank you for your input!
2 Likes
I am wondering if he should go with a non-science major. His AP classes are in English and History. How hard is it to switch majors or at least do pre-med pre-requirements while majoring in a liberal art?
1 Like
Just to avoid any confusions for those still waiting for original decisions. Portal updated with the “requested” major/campus on the reconsideration request. Decisions will take time and will happen only after all initial decisions are out. This can be sensitive to those still waiting, hence clarified @CollegeAppFun
3 Likes
I’m sorry know this has been answered a million times. My son’s TO button finally disappeared. If we access lionspath tonight we should be able to see a decision? If so, how do we even do that?
Admissions close for break at 4:30pm on Monday. If it’s like previous years, it means there will be decisions sent Friday, Saturday, and Monday.
Almost there
This long process is almost over for all EA applicants!
Remember your decision CANNOT be “Denied” since you’re EA applicants.
It could be
- Admitted, UP, Fall
- Admitted, UP, Summer (if you checked that box)
- Admitted, 2+2
- Deferred
Deferred would mean you’re really borderline, typically between 2+2 and UP Summer. It can be the worst decision of all or still be seen as a hopeful one. You can choose how you frame it for your kid if you wish.
If you’re OOS, considering most OOS actually don’t enroll, they may offer the 2+2 to see if you’ll ask for reconsideration and a UP start as a way to test how motivated you are or whether it was just a throw away app through CommonApp - because they know full well that branch campuses are a nonstarter for almost all OOS applicants.
That’s also why they’re growing the UP class - it used to be 7,600 in 2015, grew to 8,000 around 2017, reached 9,000 a couple years ago, and they’re hoping to have 9,500 this Fall (capacity limit due to bed availability). They’ve built a couple dorms (2 in the East Halls area, 1 in North) in addition to renovating these areas, and of course when they’re renovating buildings they’re not in use for students.
https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/education/penn-state/article295266354.html
I don’t see such yield management for IS applicants (and yield is MUCH better from IS applicants so they probably don’t have to worry about it.) Their issue tends to be over enrollments, not under enrollment - under enrollment does plague some of the branch campuses, especially since they’re competing with the cheaper, more residential PASSHE (“true public”) colleges.
5 Likes
How do we get into lionspath?
Students can major in anything and add premed pre-reqs. The highest Med School acceptance rates go to students with Music and Math majors, I think (you can check the AMCAS report), and the premed pre-reqs include quite a few non science classes. Students are expected to be able to handle a traditional major (it can be anything as long as the student excels) AND the pre-reqs. The pre-reqs have nothing medical about them: you “just” need to take Biology with Bio majors and rank in the top 20%, take Chemistry with chem majors and rank in the top 20%, same with Physics and Neuroscience, plus get As in Calc, Biostats, English, Psych, Sociology, Bioethics, Spanish for Health professions, etc.
https://lionpathsupport.psu.edu/ Same username and password as the Penn State application portal.
2 Likes
lionpath.psu.edu → same credentials as PSU portal.
Once you are there, you will see a menu/pizza/3-lines icon on top right, click it, you will see “Communications” link, under that you’d see your admit letter, when you click “details” link.
Dont worry if you dont see it yet - it can take an hour or so.
Dont worry if it doesnt open after you click it - try opening from your desktop.
2 Likes
I’m thinking of making a Youtube video on how to check your PSU decision on lionpath before they want you to.
I’m sure if will hit a million views in no time 
5 Likes
For reconsideration: follow the administrative link (button?) in the portal.
Note that I can’t see what applicants see so I can’t help with what this looks like. 
The email is from your kid if s/he really wants to add something they feel is important, so there’s no regrets.
It stands to reason they’d just get the portal info (UP, Summer, Z major) and check their already entered data against that. So, first quarter grades would not matter, etc.
But…with such a complicated and sometimes frustrating process, with Penn State’s “myth” and representation in the State… Some kids would be tormented by the idea they didn’t do everything they could. (I know a couple who would, at least).
Many kids, especially if they already have decisions they like, wouldn’t be bothered, obviously they’d just change something (Fall->Summer, major/college, campus…) and hope for the best or not ask for reconsideration at all.
Sending information is unlikely to help but won’t hurt and when the new decision arrives, you/they have no regrets whatever it is.
“Belt and braces” isn’t necessary, it’s more a psychological comfort.
So, your child should do whatever is best for them at this point. 
1 Like
Ooh absolutely. Awesome idea.
I’m not sure what you mean.
AFAIK (but please do call to check) you can keep your first offer if reconsideration does not result in an improved outcome from your pov.
I’ve not heard of problems, if your final offer is 2+2 again, switching to another branch campus.
Are you sure they don’t have lower standards for OOS? What they lose on yield they gain in tuition
2 Likes
Thank you very much for all you help !
we (parents) didn’t go to school/college in the US, most college-related questions and issues are a grey area for us, so your advices are invaluable in navigating application process.
I will definitely check prior year discussions too: now - for the “survival” advices. as i understand engineering programs are pretty intense, it’ll be especially important to get on the right path from the beginning.
Also, she applied as OOS (NYC school graduate) but her non-custodial parent has legal domicile in PA for the last 5 years. Right after school, daughter will be re-locating to the PA residence
Do you think it would it be possible change to in-state option?
You need to check on the PSU website but the parent who spends the most money on the child,including through child support, not necessarily the parent she lives with, is considered the parent of reference by FAFSA.
Would that be your spouse or ex spouse? If you’re still married she would declare his address.
Could she be considered instate immediately? She’d need to change her voter registration and driving license (if any) to PA.
However, moving for college does NOT count toward residency (it’s considered part time/transient).
I’m not a lawyer so read the website and email them (to have written evidence). I’m sure it’s a common question.
FYI, Admitted Students Visits are available in Lion Path.
Click “Visits and Events” on the left-hand navigation, then “View Admitted Student Events”.
(at least for engineering)
Blue Track - all day visit, including lunch. Mostly for those who haven’t visited.
White Track - half day visit, including a stop at Beaver Stadium.
Saturday - similar to White track, but without a student panel?
We signed up for a Saturday event.
2 Likes
Still no email, no decision. Hopefully tomorrow.
1 Like
Housing-wise, is there a benefit to me accepting the admission soon? I’m like 95% confident I want to go to PSU but I would like to give Maryland one more look if I can without risking losing my housing preference. Also, if I decide to end up doing summer start instead of fall, should I do that in the request reconsideration thing within the portal or could I just call them?
There is no advantage to accepting early. Housing is random, not by date of acceptance (as it used to be until about 3 or 4 years ago).
If you decide to do summer, just call admissions and have them switch your start. But once you opt for summer, you cannot opt back to fall. (If your original acceptance was for fall).
1 Like