Penn State University Application Requirements?

I'm starting the college application process, and PSU is on my list. Could somebody please explain the application requirements for Penn State University? Thanks!

Sure, I'd be happy to help! Here are the main application requirements for Penn State University:

1. Application: You can apply to Penn State using either the Common Application, MyPennState, or the Coalition Application. Be sure to fill out all of the required sections.

2. Application Fee: There's an application fee of $65 ($75 for international students), which is nonrefundable. However, if the fee is a financial hardship for you, you can request a fee waiver.

3. High School Transcript: You'll need to submit your official high school transcripts, which should include your grades and courses from grades 9 to 11, as well as your senior year courses.

4. Test Scores: Penn State University is currently test-optional, meaning that you are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, if you choose to submit your scores, they will be considered in the admissions process. Be sure to check the university's website for any changes in their testing policy. And do remember that, although test scores are not required, there can still be instances where submitting them makes sense. For detailed guidance on how to navigate test-optional policies, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional

5. Letters of Recommendation: PSU does not require letters of recommendation for most programs. There are a few exceptions, such as the Schreyer Honors College, which requires two letters of recommendation.

6. Personal Statement: While there isn't a traditional personal statement required by PSU for the general application, there are short-answer questions that you will need to answer. CollegeVine's blog contains guidance on how to respond to them: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-penn-state-essays/. Additionally, Penn State does strongly encourage applicants to submit a personal statement, so to maximize your chances of acceptance, you may want to simply treat that as a requirement.

7. Additional Program Requirements: Some specific programs or majors may have additional requirements, such as submitting a portfolio for art or design programs. Be sure to check the requirements for your specific program of interest.

It's also important to keep track of the application deadlines. For Penn State, the Early Action deadline is typically November 1, while the Regular Decision priority deadline is usually December 1 (although applications are considered after this date if there is still space in the class). If you submit your application by the Early Action deadline, you'll receive an admissions decision earlier, typically by the end of December.

If you're applying to any scholarships, keep in mind that some of those may have different deadlines. Having a spreadsheet can help you make sure you don't miss any deadlines.

Good luck with your application to Penn State, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions!