What is the benefit of applying directly to Smeal College of Business verses just applying to Penn State DUS since Smeal is supposedly so difficult to gain entry. I have to believe there is some benefit otherwise no one would do it. And I can’t believe that Penn State doesn’t realize that many students interested in Smeal would just “game” the selection process by doing so. So either the difference in acceptance criteria is imagined or minor OR there is a benefit to going directly into Smeal. On the Smeal website it says that if you are undecided you should apply to Smeal direct because it is more difficult to get in later. Can anyone who entered Smeal directly comment by letting the prospective students know what they gain or letting them know that you get nothing and should merely apply DUS and gain an easier acceptance sooner.
I’m not a Smeal student nor do I have one, but I do have a freshman at PSU right now. We were told last year at orientation that DUS students can change into Smeal at the same time as everyone else. Keep in mind that Smeal students aren’t actually IN their major until after they complete the entry to major requirements. As a DUS student, you can take all of the same ETM classes. In fact, for Smeal - only Smeal or DUS students can declare a Smeal major. The entry to major requirements for Smeal are here; http://advising.psu.edu/entrance-major-requirements-smeal-college-business-entering-penn-state-summer-2015
That being said, I have no idea what benefit it is to apply directly to Smeal vs. starting in DUS. 80% of students change their majors anyway. Maybe someone else knows. But from an outsider (not in Smeal) perspective, it doesn’t make sense to me. I think that people don’t understand the entry to major requirements and they think that being in the major helps them ‘transfer’ in in their junior year. I don’t think that is so. You can start in DUS and graduate in 4 years from Smeal providing you complete the ETM requirements…which are pretty difficult in fact.