It may have been mentioned here already, not sure, but there is a fantastic Facebook group for parents. It is called “Penn State Parents”. It has really terrific information within the discussions.
@brucemag …Congrats!!!
Accepted - Fall DUS
Stats:
SAT: 1930,2030 (580/640CR,750/690M,600,700W)
SAT IIs: didn’t send
GPA: 2.7
Rank: no rank
Other stats:
2 AP classes
Subjective:
Essays: BS
Teacher Recs: didn’t send
Counselor Rec: Didn’t send
Hook (if any): Good high school
State or Country: New York
School Type: public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Other Factors: none
@BigBang231 Did you ever call? I know you said you applied for summer Smeal but were accepted Fall DUS.
They said that I didn’t have the grades for smeal so they put me in DUS. @jlhpsu
That is so weird @BigBang231 Because Penn State doesn’t do second choice majors. There are tons of people on here who were rejected from their first choice because of one reason or another and had to call for DUS. And many have been rejected. And many people with a lot higher GPA sent to branch campuses…It is so confusing the way Penn State does things. And for you to get DUS fall is amazing. Congratulations! I guess that’s proof that Penn State does look at something more than GPA/SAT.
@greatwhiteway - We called. Was told her decision would be coming out soon but suggested I talk to counselor to see if can get semester changed to Fall with summer as alternate. When spoke with counselor he said she wasn’t accepted for summer either. Totally surprised! I just don’t understand. When reading others and see lower GPAs and lower SAT’s that were accepted into Fall… I assumed she would definitely get summer. Nope Very bummed.
@jlhpsu @BigBang231 there is another post in this thread that had the same issue. I remember reading it. It was probably early January. The were offered admission to Fall as a DUS admittance only, but they applied Eng.
Maybe you can find that post and check with that person.
I think PSU wants you, but can not for some reason offer you your College of choice. Take the DUS and change later down the line.
Smeal- fall 2015
SAT: 1870 (610R,610M,650W)
SAT IIs: none
GPA: 3.63W, 3.6UW
Rank: 22/149
Other stats: 16 AP/honors classes, strong EC and community service
Essays: quick 10 min statement
Teacher Recs: none
Counselor Rec: great
Hook (if any):
State or Country: PA
School Type: small public
Ethnicity: white
Gender: male
Other Factors: leadership in every club, captain in 2 sports, 11 varsity letters
General Comments: Go state!
@PERplexD I always assumed that it was error in reporting that accounted for those types of things. Over and over on here you see kids who were denied or sent to branch campuses or summer and the only way for a re-consideration is to call and get back on the “list”. And even then, many kids don’t make it. It makes no sense to me why they would automatically reconsider for a few and not everyone. Especially, and no disrespect intended to anyone here, for a profile where the stats are solidly in the black on the bubble chart. With a 2000 SAT, you’d have to have a 3.2 to even make it to the yellow. 3.6 to make it to the blue. There has to be more to the story.
I’m happy for every single person admitted…but I can’t help but feel for the people who were denied, especially those for which there is no logical explanation.
@gildak They told you over the phone that your D was denied? Didn’t you say she had a 4.0 Weighted? Wow, I’m so sorry. Did she apply by priority and did she put a branch campus?
Yes, jihpsu. Totally shocked. I didn’t think they could tell on you on the phone prior to the status update – which we are still waiting for. Spoke with someone first, and she said my D evaluation was currently in the evaluation stage and would be posted soon, so before it’s get posted she wanted me to speak with a counselor to see if we can get it switched before message goes out. (Thought that was a good sign). Spoke with him, and he said unfortunately, no- switching won’t do any good. She didn’t qualify for fall or summer, so her best bet is a branch campus (which she indicated on her app). But he didn’t say whether she was accepted there or not. I knew her SAT scores were low compared to many others, but thought her GPA would help considering I’ve heard that was 2/3 of it. I double checked her stats just now and they are GPA 3.85 uw, 4.1 w. Her SAT is 1640. Yes low SAT but saw someone recently in the 1500s and a much lower GPA that was accepted for Fall. Don’t know what to think.
I applied in early November, and the status updated on 12/17 saying that all documents are there and a decision will come out in 4-6 weeks. My status haven’t changed to coming days yet…I apply to Smeal. Lots of applicants have received their decisions, which makes me really nervous…I think my status is ok, a 31 on ACT and 3.4 uw gpa. Should I give a call?
Still waiting to find out here… Yesterday my son received an email inviting him to apply for the Sapphire Leaders program within Smeal but then a few hours later received another email recalling the invitation. Said they needed to confirm his acceptance at UP and he would hear from Sapphire again today if accepted. No word yet. So does that mean he was not accepted? 
His official status still says that his application is in the final review and he should hear soon.
Oh my goodness! I was offline for just a few days and @lovepsu, @greatwhiteway, @mommysusan, @Tessie22, @rks7791, @collegereject, @BigBang231, @brucemag, @scohen99, @Leyland, @Tooth1010, and everyone else…Congratulations!!! I already said it @jlhpsu, but especially congrats to you. I am so glad I found this group. I hope this isn’t the end & we can help each other with the MANY things we still have to do & learn.
@gildak I got the VERY SAME line of BS from someone in admissions. Janine/Janelle…something like that. I said “That’s funny, since I see lots with lower stats and less AP classes/ECs getting in for summer AND fall. And I have a daughter already at UP as a sophomore with lower stats than the daughter currently denied.” They still insist she only qualifies for a branch. However, the pic changed back to UP again and the status changed BACK to coming days… Whatever.
@PSUGradMom what time did you call?
@PSUGradMom - did your D status change yet? My D’s still hasn’t changed. Surprised they told me over the phone. But yes, it seemed like a robotic answer. He said overall package of GPA, SATs, activities, etc. Well my daughter is right up there with all of it. My D 4 years ago got in with those stats, but counselor said more competitive this year. Still…lower stats are getting in for Fall, not just summer. Both parents are PSU alum too. Not that it should matter (but why ask on app then), but if a candidate has good stats and others below are being accepted, then I think family members being alumni should hold some weight. I don’t want to be a bummer on here though. Right now disappointed and in shock, but am happy for others. We can’t always get what we want. Good life lesson for my D.
I attend PSU UP and my sister, who has average ACT scores and a 3.7 GPA, just got offered to a branch campus. Sh applied to University Park and applied for Summer 2015, to increase her chances of being accepted. For two days her PSU status says she will be hearing in the “coming days” and just heard tonight that she has been offered a branch campus. She is unbelievably upset, because she was banking on being accepted. What do you guys suggest we do? She will not attend the branch campus.
@gildak Hers had changed from coming days to the I’m sorry but we can’t offer you… It reverted back to coming days Monday afternoon. Sometime after my chat with the “J” girl in admissions.
Have not even received coming days sign yet. Still waiting here.