Can requesting reconsideration also be for location, if didn’t get into UP but got into for example Altoona campus?
You can ask to switch branch campuses - for instance, if you got Abington, you can request Altoona.
There’s a nice explanation that’s pinned at the top of the PSU forum about the branch campuses.
If you were admitted to a branch campus, it means they considered you for Fall and Summer at UP but you didn’t make the cut for the major you requested - oftentimes due to GPA×rigor being below what they look for. They have a lot of data wrt what is needed to have a shot at success and students with a lot of Bs or not enough honors/APs in subjects relevant to their major may be better off starting at a branch campus where classes are smaller, less weedout, and professors more supportive.
You can request reconsideration for another, less competitive UP major that matches your academic profile better and check Fall, Fall&Summer, or just Summer (Which increased your odds since it gives you 6 weeks to learn the ropes).
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Yes. Students who applied Priority have an advantage but they can’t just wait till March or April. Using the wait time productively (if you want PSU UP) means identifying a less competitive major for you (based on interests and academic background) before any decision is made - while you’re anxiously waiting, why not stack the odds in your favor?- so that you can request being reconsidered quickly if your decision isn’t the one you hoped for. Some students will hear by Dec 24, some will hear by the end of January (depending on whether all materials were received by Nov1 or Dec1.)
Being ready to request a new major and knowing whether you can start in the Summer (costs can be a problem, you may have to work…) really gives you the best shot at what you want. Note: it doesn’t mean all reconsideration requests are positive.
Optimally I would say make a request within a week- ten days (more leeway if you hear by December, then the closer you are to March the faster you have to be because the bulk will be decided by mid/late February for EA decisions given in January.)
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i turned in my ap by nov 1 and got my decision last week. i submitted the reconsideration right away and checked summer box. does summe eterm hear back around same time?
It goes faster if you checked just Summer not fall and summer 
i checked just summer when i reapplied but it shows fall start summer YES so i’m trying to get that sorted out. do you know what the time line is for this if i apply directly to summer ? penn state never gave me one lmao
Should the student be the one to call in and talk to admissions about switching majors before a decision is made? I’m thinking yes but sometimes there’s a lot to consider and it would probably be beneficial for a parent to be a part of the discussion. Although Admissions might not even speak with parents. Thanks.
If your son wants to be at UP more than he wants nursing, he can ask for reconsideration for a less selective major at UP and to be considered for summer start if that is financially feasible. He can’t be reconsidered for UP for nursing. Please note that nursing students are not eligible for the 2+2 plan, and must stay for 4 years at the campus at which they start.
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Oops, wrong thread. Sorry!!
It should come from the student but of course the parents can model the phone call before hand or have written notes ready.
Admissions will expect a straight request like reconsideration for Summer, UP, (major).
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Thank you.
Completely agree. I have a sophomore at PSU and we love it, but come on. PSU is one of many, many schools getting tens of thousands of applications, just get organized, give these kids a date, release and move on. I have a son checking the stupid test optional button at 7:01 every evening, ridiculous.
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Yea some of my friends applied to NYU and all admissions come out tonight/tommorrow 1am due to time zones but everyone gets there’s I think around the same time.
she wasnt exactly sure but definitely after 5pm at some time.
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Thanks so much. He was hoping for UP as it was a top choice on his applications but still wants to check out Altoona.
What is the absolute cutoff for PSU to be done with EA? i.e. come Dec 24th they’re done with EA and kiddos go into the RD category?
@MYOS1634 my D25 got her major updated from Smeal to DUS with summer start option earlier this morning; she did mention in her email that she’d hope changing the major at this stage wont kick her out of the EA pool and she can still expect a decision before Dec 24th. They just replied saying the application is updated, and nothing whatsoever on the decision date. Don’t want to follow up and annoy them any further. Hope we see the decision in time. Portal is already updated with the requested change.
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Thank you for letting us all know 
- at least they were quick with the change and hopefully it won’t change the decision date 
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The nursing program at PSU Altoona is very good. Main campus is about a 40 minute drive from PSU Altoona and many Altoona students go to UP for football games and other activities.
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