Penn State regular decision insights?

I want to apply regular decision to Penn State. Does anyone know when their notification date usually is for RD? Also, should I be aware of any specific requirements or standout aspects of their application?

Penn State operates on a rolling admissions basis, which means that applications are reviewed and decisions are made as they are received. This means there's not an official notification date like you might see with other universities that use a fixed admissions process. Most students who apply to Penn State typically hear back between four to six weeks from their application submission date.

As for the application, Penn State has a self-reported academic record process, commonly referred to as SRAR. This means you'll enter your high school courses and grades yourself, and official transcripts are not required during the application review process. You should ensure accuracy when entering this information as it will be verified against your official transcript if you choose to enroll at Penn State.

One unique aspect of Penn State's application is that you have the opportunity to apply to the University Park campus (the main campus) or a Commonwealth Campus for the first two years of your undergraduate education. The 2+2 Plan is designed to offer the benefits of small campus with the wide range of academic opportunities provided by a large university. Essentially, students can begin their Penn State education at one campus and transition to another one to finish their degree.

The application also provides space for you to share more about your extracurricular experiences and how you have spent your time outside of coursework. Be sure to give ample time to this part of the application to highlight your commitment and contributions to your activities.

Remember that the application lacks an essay, so it's important that every aspect of your application is as strong and complete as possible to give admissions a comprehensive view of your qualifications. Keep in mind, admissions at Penn State is somewhat competitive, so your mixture of grades, rigor of coursework and extracurriculars will all play a key role in your decision.