Does Penn State consider demonstrated interest?

Hello! I wanted to know if Penn State takes demonstrated interest into account when making admissions decisions. Are there any impactful ways to show my interest in the school, like attending virtual events or reaching out to faculty? Any insights would be helpful. Thanks!

Penn State, like many large public universities, does not explicitly consider demonstrated interest in their admissions process. Their primary focus is on your academic performance, test scores (if submitted), extracurricular activities, and essays.

However, showing genuine interest in a university can still have indirect benefits. Attending virtual events or reaching out to faculty will help you gain a better understanding of the school's culture, programs, and resources. This knowledge can help you tailor your application and essays to show a strong fit with the school and its values. Demonstrating that you've done your research and understand what Penn State has to offer can make your application stand out.

Building connections with faculty or current students could also provide valuable insights into the academic experience at Penn State. These connections could potentially lead to strong letters of recommendation, internships, or research opportunities, which can serve to strengthen your overall application.

In conclusion, while demonstrated interest might not directly impact your chances of admission at Penn State, being proactive in learning about the school and making connections can still indirectly help your application stand out for other reasons. Just make sure to focus on the aspects of your application that are more directly evaluated, such as grades, test scores, and extracurricular involvement.