How to Get Into Penn State: A Complete Guide
Are you thinking about studying at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) for your undergraduate studies? We get it—choosing a university is a big decision. You want to find a place that will not only challenge you academically but also allow you to explore your interests, connect with like-minded individuals, and broaden your horizons.
Penn State has been a top-notch university for over 150 years. It’s ranked among the top 6% of universities worldwide by the QS World University Rankings 2024, and it spends a whopping $1.034 billion on research every year. With over 1000 student clubs and organizations, it’s no wonder Penn State is ranked 5th for Best Public Schools for Internships by the Princeton Review.
And with over 50,000 career preparedness programs and 8,000+ Penn State scholarships, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream job after graduation. Plus, if you’re into sports, you’ll be happy to know that Penn State has a killer athletic program with 29 varsity teams that compete in the Big Ten Conference. Penn State also has over 75 NCAA Division III teams and 100+ PSUAC teams that qualify for national championships.
If that sounds like your ideal college experience, then Penn State might just be the perfect fit for you.
Ready to learn more about how to get into Penn State? Check out our blog for all the details!
What Does Penn State Look for in an Applicant?
Before we dive into the specifics of getting into Penn State university, let’s make sure you’re eligible and meet their criteria.
This chart breaks down the minimum high school courses you need to take to get into Penn State’s academic colleges or the Division of Undergraduate Studies. Each unit of study is typically equivalent to one year of high school coursework.
| Subject | Minimum Units Required for: 1. College of Agricultural Sciences 2. College of Arts and Architecture 3. Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications 4. College of Education 5. College of Health and Human Development 6. College of the Liberal Arts 7. College of Nursing 8. Undecided, Division of Undergraduate Studies |
| English | 4 units, including 1 unit each in composition and literature |
| Social Studies/Art/Humanities | 3 units in any combination of social studies, arts, or humanities |
| Science | 3 units |
| Math | 3 units in algebra (algebra 1 and algebra 2, at minimum) and geometry |
| World Language | 2 units* |
Some colleges and majors have extra math requirements for high school students who want to get in. Check out the additional math requirements for those colleges below.
| Subject | Minimum Units Required for: 1. Smeal College of Business 2. All other business programs 3. College of Earth and Mineral Sciences 4. College of Engineering 5. Engineering/Engineering Technology at Erie and Harrisburg 6. College of Information Sciences and Technology 7. Eberly College of Science 8. Science at Altoona, Abington, Berks, Erie, Harrisburg, and Lehigh Valley |
| English | 4 units, including 1 unit each in composition and literature |
| Social Studies/Art/Humanities | 3 units in any combination of social studies, arts, or humanities |
| Science | 3 units |
| Math | Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry plus a one-half unit of Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, or Calculus |
| World Language | 2 units* |
*You need to complete two units of a language other than English. This includes American Sign Language. In addition, students may enroll at Penn State even if they have not completed two units of a world language other than English. However, they must fulfill this requirement before graduation. This can be done by taking a three- or four-credit college-level world language course, transferring credits from another institution, or demonstrating proficiency comparable to two high school units of world language study.
Have you checked off all the boxes on the admissions checklist?
What is the Application Process at Penn State?
The latest data from U.S. News & World Report shows that the acceptance rate at Penn State University Park is 65.3%, with a slightly higher acceptance rate for those who apply early.
When reviewing your application, Penn State takes a holistic approach, considering your overall academic record, which represents your individual four years of academic development, standardized test scores, and other factors that showcase your well-roundedness. This includes your course choices, grades, and academic rigor, along with your extracurricular involvement, personal statement, and any relevant auditions or portfolio submissions. They also recognize the unique cultural and geographic backgrounds of their applicants. By taking these factors into account, they aim to build a diverse and vibrant student community.
Penn State values your contributions as a student, sibling, athlete, family member, volunteer, and/or employee. They seek to create a diverse student body by considering your unique experiences and perspectives.
While there’s no rigid minimum GPA or standardized test score requirement for admission, Penn State does consider your academic performance as part of the overall review process. They’re looking for students who are not only academically sound but also well-rounded individuals who will bring unique perspectives and talents to the university.
| There are no such things as “cut-offs” in Penn State. |
Review of Additional Application Components
Apart from the main requirements mentioned earlier, the Penn State application also considers other factors that can influence your admission chances.
Major Selection
Penn State generally evaluates applications based on the chosen campus rather than a specific program, except for a few specialized majors. This means that changing your major on the application usually doesn’t affect your admission decision. In many cases, the review process for a different major will still lead to the same outcome.
When reviewing applications for their math and science programs, they pay extra attention to standardized test scores and math grades. Also, keep in mind that some of their programs have limited enrollment, making them more competitive to get into than others.
Summer Session at University Park
If you’re setting your sights on Penn State University Park and want to boost your chances of getting in, consider applying for the summer session. This option is available when you’re filling out your application.
Penn State prioritizes applications for the fall semester, which is the most popular enrollment period. If they can’t offer you fall admission, they’ll consider your application for the summer session if you’ve indicated interest while filling out the application. Summer admission is slightly easier to get into than fall admission. And if you do get accepted for the summer session at the University Park campus, it’s mandatory to attend.
Note: This summer session is not a remedial, transitional, or introductory session. Students will take two standard Penn State classes during the 6-week session. Students who do well in the summer session will be able to continue in the fall semester at University Park.
Alternate Campus Selection
When applying to Penn State as a first-year student, you’ll need to pick a backup campus in case your top choice doesn’t work out. This helps Penn State review your application quickly and efficiently.
Penn State considers your application for your top-choice campus first. If they can’t offer you admission there, they’ll look at your application for the summer semester (if you’re applying to University Park and have selected the summer option) or for your alternate choice campus.
If you’re admitted to your alternate choice campus, it means Penn State couldn’t offer you a spot at your preferred campus. You can either stay at your offered campus for four years if your program is available, or you can follow the 2+2 plan and complete the first two years at your offered campus and the final two years at another campus.
| Did you know that Penn State receives over 100,000 first-year applications each year? |
Class of 2027 Profile and Middle 50% GPA Data
The numbers in the chart below show the middle 50% of students who got into their top choice college for summer/fall 2023.
| Academic Scale | University Park | All other Campuses |
| High school GPA (unweighted on a scale of 4.0) | 3.60-3.93 | 3.11-3.80 |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math | 1290-1460 | 1110-1320 |
| Composite ACT | 29-33 | 24-30 |
Note: These are not cut-offs or averages, and they are only for estimation purposes. They do not guarantee admission.
Does Penn State Accept the SAT or ACT?
| Good news! Penn State is going test-optional for all first-year applicants through summer/fall 2025. This means you won’t have to submit your SAT or ACT scores if you don’t want to for Spring, Summer, or Fall 2025 as part of your application. |
Penn State understands that standardized tests aren’t always the best way to measure a student’s academic potential. That’s why they are giving you the chance to choose whether or not you want to submit your test scores. Take your time to think carefully about this decision. Consider how you want to present yourself to Penn State and decide if your standardized test scores accurately reflect your academic abilities.
If you have a strong academic record but don’t feel that your standardized test scores do you justice, then you can choose not to submit them. This will allow them to focus on your other accomplishments, such as your grades, extracurricular activities, and essays.
If you feel that your test scores are a good reflection of your abilities and will complement your application, you’re more than welcome to submit them. They will review them along with the rest of your application.
Dates and Deadlines
Domestic students who are eager to join Penn State can apply for undergraduate admission through the Early Action program. To apply, you’ll need to submit a complete application, including your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR), by the deadline of November 1st.
So, what exactly is an SRAR? It’s a way for you to share your high school coursework and grades with Penn State directly. This means your school counselor won’t have to send transcripts to Penn State when you apply. Just make sure you enter your coursework and grades exactly as they appear on your official transcript.
The 2024–25 FAFSA application will be available in December 2023. Penn State encourages you to log in to the application on or after January 1, 2024, and complete and submit it by February 15, 2024. This will ensure that you’re considered for all types of financial aid.
If you’re applying for Early Action, you’ll hear back from Penn State by December 24th. If you’ve submitted your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15th, you’ll be considered for early financial aid starting in late March.
Early Action applicants may receive one of three decisions:
- Admit
- Deferral of the decision to the November review group
- Denial of admission
Penn State’s Early Action is a non-binding option that lets you get your admissions decision earlier than usual, giving you more time to relax and enjoy your senior year of high school. You’ll still have until May 1 to pay your enrollment deposit or commit to Penn State, so there’s no rush. If you’re the type who gets stressed about college admissions, Early Action can be a great way to ease your mind and focus on enjoying your final year of high school.
If you’re not applying for Early Action, and/or if you’re a domestic student, we recommend submitting your completed application, including all required materials, by December 1st. While this isn’t a strict deadline, applications received after December 1st will face increased competition.
Note: Most students who apply by December 1st can expect to hear back about their admission decision in January, but some students may receive their decisions earlier.
From the Desk of Yocket
Getting into Penn State can be competitive, but it is certainly possible if you have a strong academic record and a well-rounded application. Here are some of the things you can do to increase your chances of getting into Penn State:
- Get good grades in your high school classes. This is the most important factor in the admissions process.
- Take challenging courses. Penn State wants to see that you are challenging yourself academically.
- Score well on the ACT or SAT exam. These tests are not required for admission, but they can help your application stand out.
- Get involved in extracurricular activities. Penn State is looking for well-rounded applicants who are involved in their communities.
- Write a strong essay. Your essay is your chance to tell Penn State about yourself and why you would be a good fit for the school.
- Get letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors can help your application stand out.
If you are accepted to Penn State, you will be joining a community of over 73,250 undergrad students from all over the world. You will have the opportunity to learn from world-class faculty, participate in cutting-edge research, and experience all that Penn State has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Penn State
1. What is the application fee for Penn State University?
The application fee for Penn State’s undergraduate program is $65, which is non-refundable.
2. Does Penn State offer financial aid?
Yes, Penn State offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans.
3. Does Penn State offer test-optional admissions?
Yes, Penn State offers test-optional admissions for the undergraduate program for summer/fall 2025. This means that you do not have to submit your SAT or ACT scores as part of your application.