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Penn State Requirements for Admission

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What are Penn State's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

  • GPA requirements
  • Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
  • Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Penn State and build a strong application.

School location: University Park, PA

This school is also known as: Penn State University Park, PSU, Penn State

Admissions Rate: 55.2%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Penn State is 55.2% . For every 100 applicants, 55 are admitted.

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This means the school is moderately selective . The school expects you to meet their requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but they're more flexible than other schools. If you exceed their requirements, you have an excellent chance of getting in. But if you don't, you might be one of the unlucky minority that gets a rejection letter.

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Penn State GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.68

The average GPA at Penn State is 3.68 .

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(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.68, Penn State requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.68, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Penn State hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Penn State will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Penn State SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1265

The average SAT score composite at Penn State is a 1265 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Penn State Competitive for SAT test scores.

Penn State SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1220, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1380. In other words, a 1220 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1380 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Penn State has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Sitting."

This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider the SAT score from your single highest test date (the sum of math, reading, and writing).

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Penn State only considers your highest score on a single test date, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit your strongest score. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT score is currently below a 1265, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You don't have much to lose, and you can potentially raise your score and significantly boost your chances of getting in.

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Penn State ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Penn State likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 28

The average ACT score at Penn State is 28. This score makes Penn State Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

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The 25th percentile ACT score is 26, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 31.

Even though Penn State likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 26 or below, you'll have a harder time getting in, unless you have something else impressive in your application.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 28 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Penn State, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 28.

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Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Free eBook: 5 Tips to 4+ Points on the ACT

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Penn State considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission . Scoring a 1380 SAT or a 31 ACT or above will nearly guarantee you admission. Because the school admits 55.2% of all applicants, being far above average raises the admission rate for you to nearly 100%.

If you can achieve a high SAT/ACT score, the rest of your application essentially doesn't matter. You still need to meet the rest of the application requirements, and your GPA shouldn't be too far off from the school average of 3.68. But you won't need dazzling extracurriculars and breathtaking letters of recommendation to get in. You can get in based on the merits of your score alone.

But if your score is a 1220 SAT or a 26 ACT and below, you have a good chance of being one of the unlucky few to be rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

  • 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
  • 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
  • 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
  • 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
  • 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

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Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

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Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Penn State here.

Application Requirements Overview

  • Common Application Not accepted
  • Electronic Application Available
  • Essay or Personal Statement Recommended for all freshmen
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Interview Not required
  • Application Fee $65
  • Fee Waiver Available? Available
  • Other Notes Honors College has additional requirements. Certain programs have special requirements such as auditions or portfolios recommended for some freshmen

Testing Requirements

  • SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
  • SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
  • SAT Subject Tests
  • Scores Due in Office None

Coursework Requirements

  • Subject Required Years
  • Foreign Language 2
  • Social Studies 3

Deadlines and Early Admissions

  • Offered? Deadline Notification
  • Yes Rolling October 1
  • Yes November 1 December 24

Admissions Office Information

  • Address: 201 University Park, PA 16802
  • Phone: (814) 865-4700 x4700
  • Email: [email protected]

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

  • Smeal College of Business
  • All other Business programs
  • College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
  • College of Engineering
  • Engineering/Engineering Technology at Erie and Harrisburg
  • College of Information Sciences and Technology
  • Eberly College of Science
  • Science at Altoona, Abington, Berks, Erie, Harrisburg, and Lehigh Valley

Those units are: 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, geometry, and trigonometry, including one-half unit of trigonometry or higher-level math World Language 2 units

There are different admissions requirements for the accelerated pre-med and performing arts programs, more details here.

The admissions site explicitly states that GPA is 2/3 of admission weight, and the other 1/3 goes to test scores, your essay, and the rest. So to maximize your chances at Penn State, make sure your GPA is strong.

The Honors College has a separate application you can access from the main Penn State application. Read more about admission to the Honors College.

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Penn State, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Penn State.

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Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Penn State. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

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Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Penn State, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

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Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Penn State, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Penn State is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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College Essays

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If you want to go to Penn State , then the Penn State essay is one of your big chances to show how you’re different from other students in your application for admission . In order to really make this component of the application work to your advantage, you’ll need a solid strategy for writing a concise, unique, and persuasive Penn State essay!

Writing your Penn State admissions essay might seem intimidating at first, but we’re here to guide you through the process. This article will help you write a stellar Penn State essay by: 

  • Explaining purpose of the Penn State Essay
  • Outlining the three steps to writing a solid Penn State Essay
  • Providing a breakdown of Penn State essay examples
  • Giving you three practical tips for writing an exceptional essay

Let’s dive in!

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The Penn State essay is an important part of your Penn State application because it can make you stand out from other applicants!

What’s the Penn State Essay?

The Penn State essay, sometimes also called the Penn State supplemental essay, is a 500 word written response included in the Penn State application for admission . 

The prompt for this essay invites applicants to tell the admissions committee about themselves. Here’s the prompt you’ll have to answer:

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State. This is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. We suggest a limit of 500 words or fewer. 

This essay prompt is essentially asking applicants to write a response that is very similar to what is known as a personal statement. College admissions typically use an applicant’s personal statement to better understand who the applicant is as a person and what strengths they will bring to the university. 

In other words, the Penn State Essay response is an applicant’s chance to show what makes them unique in the admissions process. 

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3 Steps to Answering The Penn State Essay Prompt

If we break down the pieces of what the Penn State prompt is asking, we can identify three main tasks that you need to complete in order to write a killer essay . These tasks are as follows: 

  • Identify something about yourself (e.g. a skill, ability, character trait), one of your experiences, or an activity you have been involved in, and 
  • Explain the meaning or significance of that aspect of yourself in order to
  • Prove that you embody what it means to be a Penn State student. 

While whipping out a 500 word essay response that covers these topics may sound easy, it’s a bit trickier in practice. It’s important that you think carefully about your strategy and come up with a clear plan for your essay response. Remember: your essay is an important part of your admissions application, so you want to spend time getting it right. 

Now, we’re going to walk you through how to address each of these three major points in your essay in order to make admissions counselors sit up and take notice. 

Step 1: Select a Topic to Write About

To begin the process of drafting your Penn State essay, you need to select a meaningful attribute, experience, or activity that makes a positive case for your ability to succeed at Penn State . You need to identify these meaningful experiences or attributes because of the first part of the Penn State essay prompt, which states: 

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State. 

To do this, start by taking inventory of the character traits, experiences, or involvement in activities that you’re most proud of, passionate about, or are the most meaningful to you. We recommend you start by writing a list of the things that come to mind. If you want, you can divide it into categories based on character traits/abilities, experiences, and activities. As you put together this list, don’t worry about whether the things you’re coming up with are “good” or not — you’re just brainstorming ideas at this point!  

If you’re stuck and have no idea where to start, that’s okay, too. Try asking yourself these questions to get you started: 

  • What is my favorite memory? And why? 
  • What’s my favorite thing to do in the whole world? Why do I love it? 
  • If my friends had to describe me in one word, what would they say?

Once you start jotting down ideas, you’ll probably find that you’re able to come up with quite a few. The traits, experiences, and activities that you list out can vary widely and come from different areas of your life, including experiences with friends and family, academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, work with community organizations and volunteerism, political activism, travels, strong memories from childhood, or challenges you’ve faced in life. The possibilities aren’t limited to the ones we just mentioned; this list is simply meant to give you a jump start for brainstorming. 

Once you’ve listed out all the meaningful traits/abilities, experiences, and activities that you can think of, evaluate them in order to select one item from the list that you will address in your Penn State essay. To narrow it down to one item, consider asking yourself the following questions: 

  • Which of these items do I feel the strongest positive emotional connection to? 
  • Which of these items am I the most proud of? 
  • Which of these items could I tell a story about? 
  • Which of these items makes me unique or different from other people? 

You don’t necessarily have to use these questions to select your essay topic, but if you find that you answer several of these questions with the same experience or activity, that might be a good clue that you should choose that item as the topic of your Penn State essay. 

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Once you pick a topic, it's time to figure out what it says about you as a person. This essay is designed to help admissions counselors get to know you. 

Step 2: Think About What Your Topic Says About You 

Once you’ve selected a single character trait/ability, experience, or activity from your list, the second step of responding to the Penn State essay prompt is to tell a compelling story. 

You want to engage your reader while explaining what the trait/activity/characteristic you’ve chosen says about you as a person. 

To get started on this step, it’s a good idea to do some freewriting or brainstorming. Try to identify the ways in which the experience or activity you chose showcased a talent, skill, or ability you possess in a meaningful or valuable way. It’s important to be able to explain your perception of how this experience or activity shaped you into a person who will bring something positive to Penn State.

Here’s what we mean: say Katerina has decided that she wants to write about making the varsity squad for her school’s soccer team. In her freewrite, she writes about how the accomplishment makes her feel (proud, excited, enthusiastic), and she also writes a bit about the hard work it took for her to get there. Not only does she jot down ideas about going to the State tournament and making a game-winning goal, she also writes about how she missed making the squad in 9th grade, but instead of quitting, she got up an hour early every day over the summer to fit in extra practice. 

In this example, Katerina is trying to get a better understanding of why her topic is important to her, and what kind of story she can tell the admissions committee to help them understand her better. In this case, Katerina may decide to focus on how she didn’t give up and put in extra work to make her dreams come true...and it ended up paying off in a big way! 

Keep in mind that it doesn’t matter if the item you choose to write about is the most prestigious accomplishment from your résumé — you have the rest of your Penn State application to account for those accomplishments. Rather, the Penn State Essay is your time to tell the story of the real person behind your long list of accolades. If you can tailor this story to focus on a specific, detailed experience, activity, or positive attribute you possess, your essay will be more impactful.

Step 3: Tie Your Story Back to Penn State

After you’ve nailed down the way that you want to describe your uniqueness as an applicant, you need to define your understanding of what success at Penn State means to you . 

Why do you need to do this? Because of the instructions in the first sentence of the Penn State essay prompt, which states: 

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State . 

Penn State Admissions wants you to make a clear connection between your reflections on the experience you choose to write about and the opportunities for success that Penn State offers to its students. In order to make this connection effectively in your essay response, you need to explain how your story shows that you’re a perfect fit for Penn State. 

To get started, do your research on the culture, identity, and opportunities provided for students at Penn State . Use any information you may have gathered from visits to Penn State’s campus, attending admissions events, talking with current students or alumni, or perusing Penn State’s website to help you construct a complete picture of the culture of Penn State and what the school has to offer. 

Also, dig into specific opportunities you want to take advantage of while you’re attending Penn State. What does Penn State offer you that no other college can give you? Maybe that’s a specific degree plan, unique courses, or even a specific professor you want to work with. The more specific you are about how you’ll fit into the Penn State community, the better. 

So let’s go back to Katerina. Katerina wants to be an engineer, and in her research, she learned that Penn State’s BEST Center is working on improving battery technology. Since Katerina wants to work in the tech field, the BEST Center will help her prepare for her future career. 

So now Katerina needs to use her story about her soccer experience to explain how she’ll succeed as an engineering student at Penn State . One way she might do that is by saying that engineering is a demanding degree, and the persistence she learned on the soccer field will set her up for doing well as a Penn State engineering student. She could even take it a step further and explain that the creative problem solving she developed in her soccer training will help her succeed as she researches new battery technology as a part of the BEST Center, too.

This definition of “success” should inform how you tell the story of yourself in your Penn State essay. The admissions committee doesn’t expect every applicant to define success in the same way. In fact, Penn State admissions wants to see that you’ve really thought through your potential to be a good fit as a student at Penn State based on a thorough understanding of what Penn State has to offer a student with your past experiences and vision for the future. You should be able to define your path to success and explain how Penn State will help you get there.  

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If you're still not sure what your Penn State essay should look like, take a look at our example essay below.

A Penn State Essay Example

There are many different ways that a Penn State essay can be successful but, in general, excellent essays talk about a specific experience, tell a memorable story, and connect the story of that experience to your definition of success at Penn State. 

To help you understand what these moves can look like in practice, let’s check out Penn State essay examples: 

Every morning during the spring of my junior year of high school, my alarm went off at 4:45 a.m. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many people in my hometown were laid off from their jobs struggling to make ends meet. My family owns a farm, and we grow many different types of vegetables and have laying hens, too. So when my morning chores were completed, I would jump in the truck with my dad and my sister to drive into town and deliver free vegetables and eggs to families in need. 

My family could help others because of our farm. That made me think: what if other people could grow their own food and then share what they had with others? That’s why I started an online, community-based agriculture program at my school. I wanted to help others learn how to grow their own food, then share that food with others in their community. 

While the group started out small with just a few students, within three weeks, 40 of my classmates joined in. Together, we organized a seed, plant, and garden tool drive that helped give 70 families in our town enough supplies to start their own small gardens. And many of my classmates have committed to growing gardens of their own! This experience taught me how important agriculture is, but also how agriculture can directly impact the well-being of those around me. 

As a major in community, environment, and development at Penn State, I would have the opportunity to learn about and envision strategies for helping consumers in local communities become aware of and educated about the social and economic benefits to supporting their local farmers. By taking supplemental courses in computer programming, I would prepare myself to create user-friendly online spaces that are dedicated to sharing information about local food systems with consumers in local communities. Ultimately, I believe that Penn State will help me achieve my dream of starting a nationwide, online program to help people in undeserved communities start community agriculture programs of their own. 

Now, let’s break down what this example essay does well. In this essay, the writer provides a clear definition of what success at Penn State will look like for them as a student. This essay emphasizes the student’s personal goals, knowledge of the opportunities Penn State has to offer, and commitment to investing in the Penn State community and society at large . That will definitely make an impact with admissions counselors! 

This student also helps admissions counselors get to know them by telling a story that includes specific details and vivid imagery from an experience that other applicants may not have . The essay helps the reader get a better sense of who this person is, their background, and the things they care about by telling the short story about delivering homegrown care packages to people in the community. This story will help the admissions committee remember the applicant and will set them apart from other applicants as well. 

But most essays aren’t perfect, and this one isn’t, either. One thing this essay response can improve upon is the way in which it connects the student’s idea of success to Penn State . In the last paragraph, the student should focus more on how specific opportunities provided by Penn State’s agriculture department, like its collaborative research into sustainable agriculture , will help the student achieve their goals. 

All in all, t his Penn State essay provides a good example of how to address all aspects of the essay prompt , be clear and concise in your writing, and reveal important aspects of who you are as a person that your other application materials may not show. 

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3 Tips for Writing an Excellent Penn State Essay

You want your Penn State essay to persuade admissions that you’ll be a fantastic addition to Penn State’s incoming class. To help you present yourself in a way that Penn State admissions will remember, check out our three tips for writing an outstanding Penn State essay to help you stand out from the crowd. 

Tip 1: Be Specific

If you want your Penn State essay to be memorable, you need to be specific . Throwing out a bunch of abstract character traits or claims as to why you’ll be successful at Penn State won’t help your essay stand out. Instead, give your essay a coherent focus by selecting one or two related character traits, experiences, or activities that show your ability to be successful at Penn State. 

The point of the Penn State essay is to shoot for depth, not breadth. You already showcase your grades, coursework, and awards through other parts of your Penn State application. The essay is the time to reveal more about who you are and what you will bring to Penn State by showing how you’ve been successful in a past situation. Choosing a specific experience and diving into the details of it will show that you’re more than just a list of achievements on a résumé—you’re a real human being. 

Tip 2: Give Concrete Examples

When writing your Penn State essay, examples are a crucial form of support. When you select one or two specific elements  to focus on in your essay, you need to be able to elaborate on those things through specific and engaging examples. 

For instance, you don’t want to simply say, “My adaptability to a range of situations predicts my potential for success as a student at Penn State.” An admissions committee may read that sentence and ask, What makes you so adaptable? What activities or experiences demonstrate evidence of your adaptability? What has your adaptability helped you achieve or accomplish? 

Instead of making a vague, abstract claim like the one in the paragraph above, you need to be more specific, which you can do by providing an example . 

Here’s how a writer could elaborate on their adaptability in their essay: 

Starting your senior year of high school at a new school probably sounds daunting, but after moving seven times in seven years, I was prepared for the ins and outs of being the new kid on my last first day of school. Moving so many times due to my father’s work in the military has given me the opportunity to experience different cultures, learn new languages, and cultivate the ability to make meaningful connections with new people who are very different from me in a matter of minutes. During my senior year at a new school, I used these skills to mobilize my fellow students for a school wide walkout in support of DACA. 

Do you see the difference? The example above gives specific details of what life experience led this student to become adaptable rather than simply making an unsupported claim .

This example is also memorable because it uses vivid language. When you read it, you can imagine the student traveling the world, confidently stepping foot into a new school, and building connections with fellow students for social action. 

In your Penn State essay, examples like this one can be used to make meaningful connections between your vision for your life as a student and a clear definition of success . Using examples in this way will make your essay memorable and unique. 

Tip 3: Don’t Rehash Your Résumé

It’s tempting to rehash the list of accomplishments on your résumé in your Penn State essay, especially if your résumé is packed full of prestigious awards and experiences. However, keep in mind that there are other areas of the Penn State application that explicitly ask for this information. 

When the admissions committee sits down to read your essay response, they’re looking to learn something new about you—something that your résumé can’t tell them . So, instead of listing off accomplishments or stating the facts of what you’ve achieved, pick an aspect of who you are that might not be super apparent. That can include personality traits (maybe you’re really funny), unique experiences you’ve had (maybe you rescued kittens one summer!), or something else that makes you uniquely you. 

Just remember: your essay is a chance for you to make a powerful impression on your readers, so don’t waste it! 

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Next Steps 

If you’re applying to Penn State, you need to make sure you’re meeting some of the school’s other admissions requirements . Here’s a guide to the Penn State admissions process to get you started . You can also learn more about the Penn State ACT and Penn State SAT standards , too. 

Are you looking for more college essay tips and tricks? Don’t worry: we’ve got 13 more for you! 

If you’re applying to other schools besides Penn State, y ou may find that you have to write “Why This College?” essays . If you’re not sure what those are, be sure to check out this article.

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How to Respond to the 2023-2024 Penn State Supplemental Essay Prompts

is an essay required for penn state

Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.

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is an essay required for penn state

Cari Schultz is an Educational Review Board Advisor at Scholarships360, where she reviews content featured on the site. For over 20 years, Cari has worked in college admissions (Baldwin Wallace University, The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky) and as a college counselor (Columbus School for Girls).

How to Respond to the 2023-2024 Penn State Supplemental Essay Prompts

Pennsylvania State University , commonly known as Penn State, is a public land-grant research university located in State College, Pennsylvania. It is widely known for its high ranking athletics and undergraduate degree programs. We are here to help you respond to the Penn State supplemental essays , so keep reading!

The Penn State prompts

The Penn State supplemental essays might be optional for all applicants, but going the extra mile shows your interest in the university and showcases your talents. Your story is important, and Penn State wants to hear about it. This is why they also include a supplemental essay for potential students that have taken time off before applying to college. 

“ Optional : Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State. This is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. We suggest a limit of 500 words or fewer.”

This prompt is the classic “who are you beyond academics?” question. Penn State and many other colleges want to get to know their applicants to determine if it’s the right fit. It’s important for your personality to shine through in this essay, and being authentic is a necessary component.

Make your Penn State supplemental essay specific to you and your journey. Start by figuring out a main topic for your essay that isn’t so general that it could apply to any of the other applicants.

However, the story you share with the admissions office should relate to what you hope to accomplish or contribute to the Penn State community. This includes hobbies that might have inspired you to choose your major as well as ways you contributed to your current community in a way that you hope to make a similar impact at Penn State. You might also want to mention a course that Penn State exclusively offers that relates to an interest you have. 

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Questions to consider.

  • What is the story I want to tell Penn State?
  • What are some notable experiences, interests, or hobbies that I have?
  • Why did I choose to apply to Penn State?

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Remember: This prompt is only for applicants who are sending in their application sometime other than their senior year of high school.

“ Please use this space to explain any time that has elapsed between your high school graduation and your anticipated enrollment at Penn State. Please provide a summary of why that gap occurred. If you attended another college or university during that time, please note it below and ensure that you have entered the information in the Academic History section of this application . ( 500 words ) ”

Everyone’s college journey is different, with some not enrolling in college the fall after graduating high school. Whether you took a gap period to travel or to prepare for university, this is your opportunity to share your experience with Penn State. 

You might’ve taken the time to travel, recoup from years in school, or start an entirely new adventure. You might have taken the time to seek experience and save money by working. Whatever your reasons, this supplemental essay prompt allows you to emphasize the importance of your gap period and how it has shaped you.

When writing your essay, try to include why you want to attend Penn State after your time off. Make them a part of your story, and explain how you hope to further develop once you attend. 

Be aware of the word count, it’s a bit more fixed than the other supplemental essay prompt. It might be hard to hit the exact limit, so go back and proofread before adding any additional sentences. A couple words here and there are quick to stack up!

Also see: What is a gap year? Everything you need to know

  • Why did I want to take a gap year?
  • What did I accomplish during my gap year?
  • How did taking this time shape me as a person?
  • In what ways do I feel more prepared to start college now (specifically at Penn State)?

Don’t miss: Top reasons to take a break from college

Next steps for students

As you go through the college application process, mark your calendar with important deadlines! By doing this, you can accurately plan and get things done in advance. You could circle the date for admission notifications or schedule a campus tour.

Penn State has multiple campuses for applicants to choose from, and they also offer virtual tours, so you can get a quick look before visiting in person. The website even gives brief overviews of each location in Pennsylvania along with degrees, housing, and extracurriculars offered there. 

Remember to check Penn State’s social media pages to stay updated on important events and dates. You’ll also be able to get a glimpse of what Penn State is like and how you might fit in there. Good luck on your path toward success!

Additional resources 

Now you know how to ace the Penn State supplemental essays. But the work is not done! You can never be too prepared for college, so here’s a couple resources to make the transition smoother: 

  • Figure out the major that’s right for you
  • Decide on applying early decision or early action
  • Choose different types of scholarships to apply to
  • How to write an essay about yourself

Other colleges to consider

  • University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
  • University of Illinois (Urbana-Campaign, IL)
  • Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)

Frequently asked questions about the Penn State supplemental essays

Can i apply to penn state through the common app, is the penn state optional supplemental essay worth writing, how long should the penn state supplemental personal essay be, scholarships360 recommended.

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Penn State Supplemental Essay 2023-24

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Penn State Supplemental Essays 2023-24

With test-optional colleges like Penn State on the rise, mastering the Penn State supplemental essay has never been more important. Beyond seeing a strong academic record, the admissions team wants to hear directly from you. That is why including a top tier Penn State essay is so valuable in the admissions process. But, before we jump into the Penn State supplemental essays, let’s learn a little more about the university.

Penn State University , situated in the vibrant state of Pennsylvania , is one of the top public universities in the nation. With a rich history of academic excellence, Penn State draws in a diverse and dynamic community of students. Each year, thousands of aspiring scholars submit their applications yearly, eager to join Penn State’s thriving community. As a result, Penn State enrollment is currently over 80,000 students across its multiple campuses. Wondering how to get into Penn State? Keep reading.

In this guide, we’ll dive into how to get into Penn State University by focusing on the Penn State essays.

Specifically, this guide will:

  • Look at the Penn State University essay requirements
  • Explore Penn State admissions criteria
  • Dissect Penn State essay prompts
  • Offer valuable insights for crafting exceptional Penn State essays

After reading this guide, you’ll have the tools you need to craft compelling Penn State essays. So, when you apply , you can be sure your application will leave a lasting impression on the Penn State admissions committee. 

Let’s begin this exciting journey of learning about Penn State supplemental essays!

Penn State Essays: Quick Facts

Penn state essay: quick facts.

  • Penn State University Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate is 55% – U.S. News notes the early acceptance rate is 65.3%.
  • Penn State University Academic Profile: Class of 2026
  • Common Application
  • MyPennState
  • Early Action: November 1st
  • Recommended Regular Decision: December 1st 
  • Please Note: First-year applications may be submitted through July 28th. However, since Penn State operates on a rolling basis, acceptances may become more limited later in the admissions cycle. For this reason, we recommend submitting your application by the Recommended Regular Decision deadline.
  • Common Application Personal Statement (Optional): Choose from Common Application 2023-2024 Prompts (650 words)
  • Penn State Personal Statement (Optional): Focused on Getting to Know the Applicant (500 words) 
  • Students who submit applications after November 1st will not receive an invitation to interview.
  • Final Application Deadline: December 4th 
  • Supplemental Essay Requirements: 2 800-word maximum essays, 8 200-word short answer responses.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does Penn State have supplemental essays?

penn state supplemental essay

Yes, Penn State has one Penn State supplemental essay. This Penn State supplemental essay is also known as the Penn State personal statement. Unlike other universities with required supplemental essays, this essay is optional. That means you only have to write a Penn State supplemental essay if you choose to.

The Penn State supplemental essay asks students to share something about themselves that would enhance their application. You can view this optional essay as an opportunity to share something not reflected elsewhere in your application.

Although optional, the Penn State supplemental essay can add irreplaceable value to your application. The Penn State supplemental essay provides you with the chance to showcase your academic interests, personal highlights, and unique qualities to the Penn State admissions committee. For these reasons, we advise you not to skip the Penn State supplemental essay just because it is not required. 

Penn State Supplemental Essay: Schreyer Honors College

The initial Penn State University application for admission does not have a mandatory Penn State supplemental essay. However, if you plan on applying to Penn State Schreyer Honors College, you will be required to submit several supplemental essays. 

Now that we have answered the question “does Penn State have supplemental essays?”, let’s take a closer look. In the following sections, we’ll explore the Penn State essay prompts for your application to Penn State and the Honors College. (We’ll also share our advice on effectively responding to the various Penn State essays, so look out for helpful tips!)

Penn State Essay Prompt #1 (Optional Essay)

penn state supplemental essay

In the writing section of the Common Application, you will be prompted with a Penn State supplemental essay. The prompt for the Penn State personal statement reads as follows:

Penn State Essay Prompt #1

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at penn state. this is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. .

In your Penn State personal statement, you should aim to provide additional insights into your character or experiences. Specifically, you’ll want to connect how those experiences will aid in your success at Penn State.

Just like your Common App personal statement, your Penn State personal statement should share something personal. Consider a unique aspect of your life or experiences that sets you apart from other students. It could be a personal passion, a formative experience, or an activity that has had a significant impact on your development. Aim to share something new in your Penn State personal statement, rather than something already mentioned in your Penn State application.

However, you’ll need to do more than just summarize an experience. The Penn State personal statement asks you to reflect on how this experience has helped shape your character. Consider how this experience impacted your personal growth, resilience, or adaptability. Explain how it aligns with Penn State’s values and your intended field of study.

Should I respond to the optional Penn State essay?

penn state supplemental essay

The Penn State personal statement is optional. So, you may be asking yourself whether or not you should choose to respond to the Penn State essay. Well, the short answer is – yes, you should respond to the optional Penn State essay, and this is why. 

While the Penn State essay isn’t required, it offers a valuable chance to enhance your college application. By responding to the Penn State supplemental essay, you can present a more compelling portrait of yourself to admissions officials. The Penn State supplemental essay allows you the chance to convey your enthusiasm and what is important to you. And, you can clearly demonstrate your alignment with Penn State University’s values and academic or extracurricular opportunities.

If these reasons don’t convince you to write your optional Penn State essay, maybe this will. Each year, Penn State University admissions release their application review process. This review highlights how the university evaluates applicants for acceptance. Currently, they highlight students’ academic performance, geographic and cultural background, and various roles as a student, sibling, volunteer, etc. Penn State uses these factors to determine how an applicant might contribute to a diverse student body. So, these are key topics you might want to touch on in your Penn State essays.

Considering the review process mentioned above, the Penn State essay allows you to go beyond academic excellence. The Penn State supplemental essay offers you the chance to highlight your various passions and roles, even non-academic ones. Take this opportunity to showcase how you’ll contribute to Penn State University’s mission of having a diverse student body!

Applying to Schreyer Honors College

Attending Penn State University is an incredible opportunity for students. However, you may choose to further your academic opportunities by applying to Penn State Schreyer Honors College . Students applying to Penn State Schreyer should embody their values of academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement. 

The Penn State Enrollment in 2022 was 88,116 . While Penn State enrollment is high amongst general education collegiate students, Penn State enrollment at Penn State Schreyer is only about 1,200 students. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that the honors college program is incredibly competitive.

When applying be sure to follow these steps: 

Schreyer Honors College application steps:

  • Begin the application process early, ensuring you meet Penn State’s general admission requirements. 
  • Choose a major aligned with your interests and career goals. 
  • Use your Penn State supplemental essays to showcase your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work, emphasizing leadership roles and community service. Be yourself in your Penn State essays and application, as authenticity matters. 
  • Always meet deadlines and be prepared in the event you are selected for an interview. 

How many essays are required for my Schreyer Honors College application?

penn state supplemental essay

In comparison to writing just one Penn State supplemental essay, Penn State Schreyer distinguishes itself with multiple required application essays. To gain acceptance to Penn State Schreyer Honors College, applicants are tasked with two types of essays. Students must complete two 800-word maximum Penn State essays and respond to eight 200-word short answer questions.

The combination of longer Penn State essays with shorter responses fosters a holistic evaluation of applicants. These prompts allow the Penn State admissions committee to assess many qualities of your character. Everything from academic accomplishments, character, and potential contributions to the university community.

In the next section, we’ll briefly break down each of the prompts for the Penn State Honors College supplemental essays.

Penn State Honors College Supplemental Essays

penn state supplemental essay

As previously stated, Penn State Schreyer Honors College has multiple Penn State essays. These Penn State Honors College supplemental essays are diverse and allow prospective students to present a comprehensive picture of themselves. For success, you must know the differences between the various Schreyer Honors College prompts and how to respond best. 

This section will dive deep into each of the Penn State essay prompts for Penn State Schreyer. Let’s get started. 

The first two Penn State Honors College supplemental essays are 800-words maximum. They ask two questions using two distinct Penn State essay prompts.

Penn State Schreyer Honors College Supplemental Essays: Prompt One

Schreyer honors college supplemental essay prompt #1, describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. it can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could take to identify a solution..

To respond to this Penn State essay prompt effectively, select a problem that resonates with you. It might be an academic challenge, a societal issue, or a moral dilemma. In your response, you’ll want to:

  • Describe the problem clearly
  • Emphasize its significance
  • Highlight your emotional connection
  • Explain how it aligns with your values or interests.

Next, delve into the steps you have already taken or envision taking to address this issue. Discuss:

  • Your thought process
  • Research you conducted
  • People you consulted
  • Any actions you’ve initiated

Reflect on what you’ve learned from this problem-solving experience and how it has influenced your growth or aspirations.

Penn State Schreyer Honors College Supplemental Essays: Prompt Two

Schreyer honors college supplemental essay prompt #2, isaac asimov wrote: “any book worth banning is a book worth reading.” do you agree is such censorship ever justified if not, explain why. if so, who or what should determine which books are read and which books are forbidden..

When tackling this Penn State essay prompt, start by expressing your stance on Asimov’s statement, either agreeing or disagreeing. Be sure to provide thoughtful arguments to support your viewpoint.

If you agree with Asimov, discuss the value of engaging with challenging or controversial literature. What benefits can it bring to society? What moral, legal, or ethical issues does censorship raise? If you disagree, explain the circumstances under which censorship might be justified, such as protecting public safety or vulnerable populations. Be sure to consider who should have the authority to make decisions regarding banned books. 

Ultimately, your response should convey a deep understanding of censorship’s complexities and a clear stance on the matter. Whether you agree or disagree, be sure to back up your answer with specific details and reasonable justification.

Penn State Schreyer Honors College Supplemental Essays: Short Answer Prompts

In addition to the longer Penn State essays, Penn State Schreyer requires applicants to respond to 8 short-response questions. These questions have a 200-word limit and are designed to provide quick glimpses into your interests. The eight Penn State essay prompts are as follows: 

Schreyer Honors College Supplemental Essays Short Answer Prompts

1. what do you hope to get at penn state as a schreyer scholar to help you accomplish your future goals and aspirations, 2. if you were able to go anywhere in the world, outside of the country you currently reside, where would you go and why, 3. tell us about your leadership experiences (community roles, family contributions, research, clubs, organizations, etc.) and why leadership is important to you. describe the challenges and/or successes you’ve faced in these roles., 4. list awards or other recognitions you have received in or outside of school over the last 4 years. which award or recognition means the most to you and why, 5. tell us about a book or other media that has made you think about something in a new way., 6. consider a time when you had to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds or with different perspectives. how did this experience contribute to your personal growth and understanding of others, 7. everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups, including: shared geography, faith, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, or intellectual heritage. choose one of the communities or groups to which you belong and describe how it has influenced your life over the last four years., 8. please use this space to share information you would like us to consider that has not been discussed elsewhere in your schreyer honors college application. this could include obstacles you’ve overcome, something you’re proud of that is not discussed elsewhere, or anything else you choose..

These short answer prompts are specific, so be sure to respond to the questions accordingly. With a smaller word limit, you’ll need to stay focused on a clear topic and relevant connected ideas. Rather than worrying about how you think a Schreyer Scholar might answer, be honest in your Penn State essays. Picking topics you’re passionate about is a surefire way to capture your authentic self, even in these shorter essays.

Up next, we’ll discuss how to respond to all Penn State essay prompts in order to enhance your overall application.

How to write Penn State supplemental essays

penn state supplemental essay

When writing Penn State essays, it’s crucial to ensure they enhance and strengthen your Penn State application. Below are our suggestions to help make your Penn State supplemental essays stand out:

1. Embrace authenticity and personal voice in each Penn State Essay

Infuse your Penn State supplemental essays with your genuine self. Share personal anecdotes and experiences that have shaped your values, passions, and aspirations. Avoid generic responses and instead focus on the distinctive aspects of your life journey.

2. Demonstrate knowledge and alignment with Penn State Universit y

Research Penn State University thoroughly. Understand the university’s values, mission, academic programs, campus culture, and initiatives. Integrate this knowledge into your Penn State essays to demonstrate your sincere interest and alignment with Penn State.

3. Prioritize proofreading and refinement in your Penn State Essays

Pay meticulous attention to proofreading and editing your Penn State essays. Ensure impeccable grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Verify the clarity and coherence of your ideas. Given the limited word count, every word must be chosen wisely and redundancy should be eliminated.

Try incorporating these strategies into each Penn State supplemental essay. For each prompt, showcase your unique qualities and underscore the valuable contributions you can bring to the Penn State community. Remember, Penn State supplemental essays are your opportunity to shine. And, moreover, convince the admissions committee that you are an excellent fit for Penn State University.

Does Penn State care about essays?

penn state supplemental essay

Historically, admissions officials at Penn State University have placed significant weight on a student’s academic performance. But, times are shifting, and each Penn State supplemental essay is becoming more important than ever. 

Currently, Penn State University has a test-optional policy for those applying for Fall 2024 admission. This shift shows that Penn State recognizes the limitations of standardized test scores. While still valuable, they can’t always accurately or completely assess a student’s potential, capabilities, and alignment with their academic community. As a test-optional school, Penn State places increased emphasis on other components of the Penn State application process. This primarily includes Penn State supplemental essays.

Each Penn State supplemental essay gives you unique opportunities to illuminate your distinct perspectives, life experiences, and personal attributes. The university gains a more comprehensive and holistic understanding of you through your Penn State supplemental essays. Ultimately, these Penn State essays offer a deeper insight into applicants’ character, intellectual curiosity, and alignment with Penn State’s core values. 

More Essay Resources from CollegeAdvisor

CollegeAdvisor offers a range of valuable resources to help guide you through the post-secondary admissions process. Our goal is always to help students maximize their admissions odds, especially by crafting compelling college essays. So, here are a few of our favorite essay resources:

  • College Essay Topics Guide : This is a comprehensive guide to help you choose compelling and relevant essay topics for your college applications. This resource provides valuable insights into crafting essays that highlight your personal experiences, interests, and aspirations.
  • How to Write Better Essays : Our guide on writing better essays equips students with valuable tips, strategies, and techniques to enhance their essay-writing skills. You can apply any of these tips to your Penn State supplemental essays.
  • Common App Essay Examples : The Common App essay is crucial to many college applications, including Penn State. CollegeAdvisor offers a collection of real Common App essay examples to inspire and guide students in creating compelling narratives.

Penn State Supplemental Essays – Takeaways

Navigating the college application process can be exciting and challenging. Knowing what to say and how to say it is an increasingly valuable skill. Here are seven takeaways to keep in mind when considering the Penn State supplemental essays:

7 Key Takeaways for Penn State Supplemental Essays

  • Penn State University highly values its Penn State supplemental essays in its admissions process. They provide a holistic view of applicants that would otherwise be less dimensional.
  • Penn State’s application offers one optional Penn State supplemental essay, in addition to the Common Application personal statement. The optional Penn State supplemental essay is called the Penn State personal statement.
  • The Penn State personal statement asks applicants to share a life experience or activity that will contribute to their success at Penn State.
  • Responding to these optional Penn State essays can help applicants showcase their uniqueness, enthusiasm, and alignment with Penn State’s values.
  • The Penn State Schreyer Honors College application also has Penn State supplemental essays. These Penn State supplemental essays are mandatory for honors college applicants.
  • Penn State Schreyer Honors College application essays include two 800-word maximum essays and eight 200-word short answer responses. These Penn State essays allow applicants to present a comprehensive picture of themselves.
  • To excel at these Penn State supplemental essays, craft your responses authentically, align them with Penn State’s values, and demonstrate knowledge about the university. Also, proofread and refine your Penn State essays to ensure clarity and engagement!

Understanding the role of Penn State University supplemental essays and adhering to these tips can undoubtedly enhance your application. Still have questions about how to get into Penn State? Speak with one of our admissions experts today!

penn state supplemental essay

This article was written by senior advisor, Ashley Hollins . Are you looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. Our team will discuss your profile during your meeting and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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How to Get Into Penn State: Acceptance Rate & Admissions Data

June 26, 2023

is an essay required for penn state

Penn State University’s University Park campus, affectionately known as “Happy Valley” has long been a favored destination of Keystone State residents, many of whom have adopted the Nittany Lion lifestyle as a family tradition. Yet, the 2000s saw PSU shift from a solid flagship university ably serving its residents to a desirable destination for out-of-staters and even international students. To that point, in 1990, 77% of undergraduates were in-staters, and under 5% were international students. By 2015, just 56% were homegrown and 15% were international students. While the standards for admission/acceptance rate have not tightened up at PSU, the way they have at many other public institutions, the caliber of students admitted today is certainly more academically accomplished than a generation ago. The Class of 2026 Penn State acceptance rate was 55%.

With the admissions landscape at Penn State changing in recent decades, it’s important for applicants to have an up-to-date understanding of what they are up against. To help, the College Transitions team will present the following data:

  • Penn State acceptance rate
  • SAT, ACT, and GPAs of Penn State applicants
  • Admissions trends
  • The demographics of current  undergraduates
  • How Penn State’s admissions officers evaluate candidates
  • Tips for applying
  • How to assess whether applying to Penn State is even worth the $65 application fee (for you)

Students applying to Penn State may also find the following blogs to be of interest:

How to Get Into:

  • Purdue University
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Maryland

Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent admissions data.

Penn State Acceptance Rate 2023

Penn State admitted 47,360 of the 85,784 freshman applicants who sought admission into the Class of 2026. This equates to a 55% acceptance rate. While the university does not release statistics on in-state versus out-of-state acceptance rates, an audit from 2017 did reveal that out-of-state students were consistently accepted at a higher rate than PA residents. The audit revealed that the university relies heavily on the higher tuition rates paid by non-residents for funding.

Penn State Admissions – SAT, ACT, and GPA

Among those who were offered a place in the Class of 2026, the middle-50% unweighted GPA range was 3.59-3.93. The standardized test ranges were 28-33 on the ACT and 1270-1450 on the SAT. The statistics for students who actually went on to enroll were somewhat lower. Enrolled 2022-23 freshmen sported a middle-50% ACT range of 26-31 and an SAT range of 1220-1380.

Admissions Trends & Notes

  • The Class of 2026 enjoyed a 55% acceptance rate, three points lower than the 58% acceptance rate for the Class of 2023.
  • Women generally enjoy a higher acceptance rate at Penn State than their male counterparts. For the Class of 2025, the edge for female applicants was 57% to 53%.
  • The yield rate decreased from 21% (Class of 2024) to 19% (Class of 2026).
  • The number of applicants rose by roughly 8,000 last year.

Who Gets Into Penn State?

Let’s look at the demographics of Penn State undergraduates:

The majority of Penn State students hailed from the Keystone and paid in-state tuition. The split was:

  • In-state: 58%
  • Out-of-state-42%

Looking at ethnic identity among the Nittany Lion undergraduate student body, the breakdown is as follows:

  • Asian American: 7%
  • Hispanic: 8%
  • African American: 4%
  • International: 10%
  • Caucasian: 65%

Penn State University Acceptance Rate (Continued)

International students hail from 111 countries with the greatest representation from the following nations:

  • South Korea
  • Saudi Arabia

The breakdown by gender of undergraduate student body class shows more men than women presently on campus:

  • Female: 47%

Penn State’s Yield Rate

Penn State’s yield rate—the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted was only 19%. To compare this school to other flagship public institutions, UT-Austin, UGA, and Ohio State all have significantly higher yields.

How Penn State Rates Applicants

There is only one factor that Penn State ranks as being “very important” to their admissions process and that is an applicant’s GPA. The only category ranked as “important” is the rigor of one’s secondary school record. Six factors are “considered” by Penn State. Those are: standardized test scores, talent/ability, legacy status, geographical residence, state residency, and racial/ethnic status.

Penn State went test-optional due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2020-21 admissions cycle. They will remain test-optional through Summer/Fall 2025.

In the admissions office’s own words: “The most important piece of our review is your academic record, which represents your individual four years of academic development…We take a hard look at the many roles you serve as a student, sibling, athlete, son or daughter, volunteer, and/or employee. Assembling a class of students with diverse interests and experiences is a task that we take seriously. Penn State does not have a minimum GPA or standardized test score used for admission. There are no such things as ‘cut offs.’ We review students taking into account a full range of factors.”

Possessing one of the premier athletic programs in the country, it most definitely helps if you are recruited as an athlete to join one of Penn State ’s 29 Division I sports teams . There are over 800 designated student-athletes at PSU.

Tips for Applying 

If you plan on joining the 85,000+ Nittany Lion hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:

  • Penn State does not offer interviews. Therefore, the best way to personalize the admissions process is through your essays and recommendations.
  • Penn State does not consider “ demonstrated interest ” in the admissions process. This means you will not gain an advantage by visiting campus, connecting through social media, emailing an admissions officer, etc.
  • You can apply via the Common Application by November 1 to meet the Early Action deadline. The Regular Decision deadline is December 1.
  • You must list an Intended Major/Program of Study on the supplemental Common App form. There are a number of Direct Admit Majors at PSU.
  • Lastly, make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essay required by Penn State. There is only one “optional” prompt that reads as follows:

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State. This is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. We suggest a limit of 500 words or fewer.

For serious applicants, “optional” essays such as this one at PSU are not really optional. This is an important opportunity to let the committee know about the unique personality traits, skills, and passions that you will bring to University Park.

Penn State Acceptance Rate 2023 – Final Thoughts 

Penn State students generally sport A-/B+ averages and possess average standardized test scores right around the 80th percentile of all test-takers. Remember, Penn State has a 55% acceptance rate, so they accept more students than they reject. If you fall below these numbers, there is still a good chance that you could gain acceptance to one of PSU’s 19 branch campuses located throughout the state of Pennsylvania.

In conclusion, we want to stress that all college-bound high school students should formulate an appropriate college list , containing a complement of “target” and “safety” schools. This can be done in collaboration with an admissions professional who is aware of the latest trends and strategies associated with your prospective colleges.

  • Application Strategies
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Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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Penn State Early Action for Fall 2024 Admissions

This is the official thread for those applying EA to Penn State University.

List your unweighted GPA, any SAT /ACT scores, and ECs. What majors are you going into? Ask your questions, the CC community is here to help!

Does anyone know anything about the Art Education major in the College of Arts and Architecture? How competitive? Also, I keep hearing that the undecided major is more competitive now, so not sure how my daughter should apply.

Her stats are *4.27 GPA, with 3 honors and 1 AP class and *30 ACT and she applied already under ART EDUCATION and now is second guessing the major, thinking that she should have applied to the College of Education, as opposed to the College of Arts and Architecture.

If she is truly interested in education, that is an excellent pathway to university park admission. They are being more careful though because people are using that as a loophole and switching immediately as a freshman. Does the art major require a portfolio review?

No, Art Education doesn’t require a portfolio.

Is there somewhere that gives the number of students in each college or major? My thought is that if she is going to come out of either college as an art teacher, which avenue will give her better odds of getting accepted. I just can’t find anywhere that gives the number of students in each college.

@calm I can’t find the data that lists admissions by major but I found a few graduation numbers… for education, they graduated about 370 students (bachelors) in 2021. Arts and Architecture was about 250 for the same time. Looks like Art Education (A&A) graduated 6… I don’t see that as a major in the college of education - what would she major in?

And frankly, it doesn’t really matter how many are in the program. A smaller program might be more selective- (think musical theater). It matters where she is relative to the competition and no one here can answer that.

Thank you very much for the information!

I have checked the Penn State website and common app. It seems the main essay is optional and supplemental essays are not required. There are also no major specific essays. Is this really correct?

My S is interested in applying for the 5 year BArch program in school of architecture.

Does anyone have any personal experience with their BArch program?

Admission to the BArch program is very competitive. Although essays are not required, it would be a very good idea to complete either the main essay on the Common App or the personal statement on the Penn State application.

I have a question about essays also…

Using the common app and have completed the common app essay.

Is there another Penn State essay? Or is it either/or with the common app essay?

This is for Bellisario.

Then it looks like the only essay is the optional personal statement

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State. This is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records.

Unless he wants to apply to the honors college, there’s no major specific essays for the school of architecture.

Hi, I’m applying to penn state ea along with Millennium Scholars and Schreyers.

My school uses a weird 107 point scale. 100/107 GPA 1540 SAT 14 APs by end of HS

Major of interest: Most likely CS but I might apply data science, as both have opportunities in bioinformatics

Intern at tech startup for 9 months (6 as basic intern, 3 as a team lead) Research assistant for a summer in bioinformatics research, assistant for a year at another (published as a third author on a paper) Cofounder of a red cross club Robotics-states and regional awards Taught java for 2 months to underclassmen Yt channel abt hobby, a few videos got over a thousand views Certificates in research, data, python, java, and bioinformatics

FLORIDA SAT 1540 GPA 5.54 Rank 1 out of 424 Completed all Math and Science AP’s 4s/5s Applied for Mechanical Engineering

Also Applied to Texas A&M, ND, Purdue, Auburn, UCF, UF

Has PSU begun to release any decisions yet?

NO. It will be just prior to Thanksgiving. Going on previous years.

A few FAQs from previous years’ threads.

DECISION TIMELINE : decisions do not generally come out before November and those are usually the very high stat kids or commonwealth decisions (students that applied directly to the commonwealth). MOST other applicants won’t hear until December.

Apply Early Action and not Rolling to hear by the end of December. Rolling applicants actually hear after EA applicants. Pay attention to deadlines and decision dates. Dates & Deadlines - Undergraduate Admissions

Decisions at Penn State come out in random order and are not first in, first out.

DUS vs MAJOR DECLARATION PSU’s undecided major is called Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). It has become more competitive in the past years as students have figured out that you can still get into Smeal Business or Engineering from DUS without losing any time. It is still less competitive to apply to DUS than Engineering or Smeal.

Do not apply directly to Smeal unless you have stellar grades (4.0+) and rigor. Only about 10% of all Smeal applicants get accepted as a freshman and even they are still in a pre-major status.

PREMAJOR vs DIRECT ADMIT Only a handful of majors at PSU are direct admit. Direct Admit Majors | Penn State For virtually everyone else, your acceptance will state that you have an INTENDED Major of XYZ. This is because all students at Penn State (except direct admit) have to complete entry to major requirements to get into the major - usually by the end of Sophomore year. You can find the entry to major requirements by searching the online academic bulletin ( Undergraduate Bulletin | Penn State ) for your intended major. If you complete the requirements, you are in the major. It is similar to how other schools have you complete requirements to STAY in the major. Penn State has you complete the requirements and then when you are in, you are in.

Those are just some common questions. Feel free to ask other questions or for clarification in this thread.

Can you clarify why you think the essay would be beneficial? The common data set for last year still states that admission essays will not be considered in any admissions decision. The personal statement is part of the application, but an essay, I thought, is not.

That is correct. There will not be supplemental essays geared toward different majors. The supplemental essays are not read per the Common Data Set. I am not aware that essays are now being considered but hopefully, if someone knows differently they can post here. In previous years, a personal statement would suffice. Make it a good one, however, because Architecture is extremely competitive and is also a direct entry major which means there is no backup campus for BArch applicants. They must start and finish at the UP campus.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, penn state personal statement vs common app essay.

Hi guys! I'm working on my application for Penn State and I'm wondering if I should write a separate personal statement for them or if it's okay to use my Common App essay. Is there a difference between the two and have any of you had success with one over the other?

Hey! You've raised an important question when it comes to college applications. For Penn State, you can actually use your Common App essay as your personal statement. They accept the Common App, which means they are prepared to receive and evaluate essays written in response to those prompts.

However, it's essential to make sure your Common App essay addresses the requirements and aligns with the characteristics that Penn State is looking for in their applicants. Before submitting your essay, you might want to take a closer look at Penn State's mission, values, and campus culture to ensure your essay fits well with their expectations.

Remember, some schools might have additional supplement essays specific to their institution. Penn State may also require supplemental essays or short answer questions, so make sure to double-check their application requirements and complete those as well.

Good luck with your application!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Penn State University Libraries

Engl 30h: honors rhetoric and composition (warren).

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Academic Integrity

What is Academic Integrity?  It is likely that you have heard the term “academic integrity” before, but if you haven’t, the Penn State definition as stated by University Policy section 49-20 is:

"Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner."

Penn State Policy further states:

“Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle.”

But why adhere to this principle? Following the basic tenets of academic integrity is important beyond the rules of Penn State. By producing information ethically, your work can be reused and shared with academic and professional institutions outside of the Penn State community. Practices that may seem time-consuming actually serve to make your work shareable, and, more importantly, personally identifiable.

It’s part of the Penn State Code of Conduct. If you violate academic integrity, you are violating one of the fundamental principles of this institution and you can expect consequences through your academic program and the Office of Student Conduct.

You’ve worked hard; you deserve to have your work produced in a form that can go beyond these walls.

When you use information in a paper or presentation for a class, you're following the “fair use” doctrine, and you don't need to get permission from the copyright holder. You do, however, need to properly cite the source for any text, images, or other media you use in a class project in order to avoid plagiarism.

Using someone else's thoughts or ideas as your own without properly giving credit is plagiarism. It is your responsibility to understand what plagiarism is and know how to avoid it. Plagiarism is illegal and can:

  • Score you an F on an assignment
  • Get you an F for the course
  • Get you kicked out of school
  • Go on your permanent record

You can avoid plagiarism by citing the information sources you use in your paper or project. Cite your information sources often! Always cite an information source when you use a direct quotation, and you should also cite when paraphrasing (putting information in your own words). You should also cite all the sources used in your paper or project on the "works cited" or bibliography page.

  • Gives credit to the information sources you used in your paper;
  • Allows others to follow the intellectual path you used to reach your conclusions in the paper;
  • Allows the reader (your instructor) to check the sources for accuracy, existence, etc.; and
  • Guards against plagiarism

Academic Integrity Training

Even if you’re familiar with general violations of academic integrity (plagiarism, copying, and so on), things can, and do, get complicated. This series of modules will provide a basic definition of academic integrity and explain practically how to avoid plagiarism, cheating, and other academic integrity violations.

  • Academic Integrity A series of modules that provide a basic definition of academic integrity and explain practically how to avoid plagiarism, cheating, and other academic integrity violations.
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  • Last Updated: Mar 14, 2024 11:48 AM
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Admission Criteria

The Penn State Smeal Master of Accounting program has specific prerequisite courses and is made up of two main application parts. During this process, you will be required to submit the following:

  • Copies of official educational transcripts (and copy of degree certificate if applicable)
  • Program-specific questions: Ensure that you respond to all questions requesting information, especially when it is marked as required. 
  • Reference contacts (3): Provide the names, titles, relationships, and contact information for three professional or academic references. A letter of recommendation will not be requested or required. In the event we need more information, we will reach out to your references.
  • Official English language proficiency exam scores (for international applicants )
  • Application fee: $65
  • Within 24 hours of starting your Graduate School Online Application, you will receive a link to complete your virtual interview and essay. Please check your spam folder or inbox filters for the invitation. The virtual interview consists of answering three behavioral questions in a recorded video format within a timed session. The essay portion requires a written response to an admissions essay question within a timed session. Your interview and essay should be completed within seven days of submitting your Graduate School Online Application

To be considered for admission, all components of the application process must be completed, submitted, and received by the respective deadline.

Required Prerequisites

The following Penn State courses (or their equivalents at another institution) are prerequisites for the Penn State Smeal MAcc program:

  • ACCTG 211 : Intro to Financial and Managerial Accounting
  • ACCTG 403w : Auditing
  • ACCTG 404 : Managerial Accounting
  • ACCTG 405 : Principles of Taxation
  • ACCTG 471 : Intermediate Financial Accounting I
  • ACCTG 472 : Intermediate Financial Accounting II
  • MIS 301 : Business Analytics

If you do not have the required prerequisites for the program,  contact us  today to learn how you can graduate with a Smeal MAcc degree in as little as 15 months by enrolling in Smeal's Accounting Foundations graduate certificate.

Application Deadlines

The Penn State Smeal MAcc has multiple application deadlines throughout the year. Applications are reviewed and decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Admission Decisions

All applications will undergo a comprehensive review process conducted by both the Penn State Smeal MAcc program admissions office (assessing MAcc requirements and admissions criteria) and the Penn State Graduate School (verifying educational documentation, credentials, and international visa requirements). You may receive communications from representatives of either department.

Admission is granted in two stages: first by the Smeal MAcc program and then by the Penn State Graduate School. The Graduate School requires a recommendation from the Smeal admissions office before taking action on your application. To confirm the receipt of your application materials and check the status of your application, it is recommended that you contact the Smeal admissions office at  [email protected] .

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

The Penn State Smeal College of Business has a strong commitment to ethics and integrity as reflected in our  Honor Code . The admissions committee will not tolerate any form of plagiarism or appearance of impropriety in an applicant’s materials. To ensure academic integrity, all essays will be confirmed through  iThenticate  authenticity software. 

For more information on academic integrity and plagiarism: " Academic Integrity " and  "Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, and Copyright"

Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a deny decision.

Ready to begin your application? Visit our Apply page to take the next step.

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Penn Admissions Blog

Penn Admissions will remain test optional and will not require ACT or SAT test results for the 2024-25 application cycle. Students who are unable or choose not to submit test scores will not be at a disadvantage in the admissions process. We will continue to evaluate all components of an individual's application through our comprehensive review process .

For those students who wish to include testing as part of their applications, Penn will continue to accept SAT and ACT scores. We will accept ACT and SAT scores through November 2024 test dates for Early Decision applicants and scores through December 2024 for Regular Decision applicants. We will continue to accept self-reported scores at the time of application. Admitted students who included testing as part of their applications will be required to provide official score reports prior to matriculation.

If English is not a student's native language or the language of instruction throughout high school, we continue to require testing that demonstrates English proficiency. For more details on these policies, please see our testing webpage .

Penn will also continue to follow the guidance and policies of the Ivy League regarding testing requirements for applicants who expect to participate in a varsity athletic program. For more information, please see the Ivy League's webpage for prospective student athletes .

News and campus updates from the University of Pennsylvania Undergraduate Admissions Office.

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Penn State will extend its offer acceptance deadline from May 1 to May 15, 2024, for incoming first-year students enrolling in the summer or fall 2024 terms. Penn State News Release

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Information about Penn State's participation in the Common App.

Penn State is now one of more than 800 colleges across the United States accepting applications through the Common App .

Apply via the Common App

Application Eligibility

First-Year (Freshman) and International Students: Applying to Penn State via the Common App is available to first-year (freshman) domestic and international students.

Transfer Students: All transfer students should apply to Penn State via MyPennState .

Am I at a disadvantage if I apply through the Common App instead of MyPennState?

No, the required application materials and application evaluation process are the same if you apply through the Common App or through MyPennState. There is no advantage or disadvantage to either application but you should apply through only one application platform.

The Common App and the MyPennState application give students the opportunity to apply Early Action (all materials submitted by November 1). Students applying Early Action will have a decision by December 24. For those students choosing not to apply Early Action and for all domestic students, we recommend submission of a complete application, including all required materials, by December 1. The application fee regardless of platform is $65 for domestic students and $75 for international students.

Checking your application status

Once you submit your application through the Common App, you will receive an email from Penn State Undergraduate Admissions directing you to go to MyPennState to complete the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). You may feel that you completed this step as part of your Common App, but you must complete the Penn State SRAR via MyPennState in order for your application to be reviewed. Once you submit all materials for your Common App you should regularly check its status and receive an admission decision in MyPennState .

Early Action and Priority Filing Dates

Early action: november 1.

The Common App and the MyPennState application give students the opportunity to apply Early Action (all materials submitted by November 1). Students applying Early Action will have a decision by December 24.

Rolling Admission:

Applicants are evaluated on a modified rolling admissions schedule. Additionally, some academic programs have limited enrollment and specific application dates. For those students choosing not to apply Early Action and for all domestic students, we recommend submission of a complete application, including all required materials, by December 1.

Fee Waivers

You may be eligible for an economic need-based fee waiver based on information in the Profile section of your Common App. If you meet the criteria for a Common App fee waiver, your Penn State application fee will be waived.

To receive a Common App fee waiver, you must affirm at least one of the following indicators of economic need:

  • I have received or am eligible to receive an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver;
  • I am enrolled in or am eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL);
  • My annual family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service;
  • I am enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs such as Upward Bound);
  • My family receives public assistance;
  • I live in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home or am homeless;
  • I am a ward of the state or an orphan;
  • I can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.

Common App Resources

Below are some tools and resources you can use should you use the Common App:

  • The Common App blog highlights announcements and any changes coming for the upcoming application year
  • Common App Ready has PowerPoint presentations, videos, and handouts (in English and Spanish) that can be used to walk students and parents through the Common App
  • The Common App website has a wealth of college exploration tools for students as well as a parent section
  • The Virtual Counselor is an online content library of articles and videos with college-related advice for students and parents
  • Common App for Mobile   Navigate the entire college application journey with our mobile app. Move seamlessly from the web to your phone or tablet without missing a beat.
  • The Advisor role and Application Preview help counselors and those supporting students keep track of a student’s application progress as well as view their application, with student permission
  • The Common App Solutions Center provides 24/7/365 support, including easy to search FAQs, live chat, and schedule-a-call

is an essay required for penn state

What channel is Michigan basketball vs. Penn State today? Time, TV channel for Big Ten Tournament

Michigan basketball  is set to face Penn State on Wednesday in its first game of the Big Ten Tournament at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

The Wolverines were tabbed with the 14 seed in this week's Big Ten Tournament after a disastrous and frustrating 3-17 conference regular season finish. Michigan is coming off a 85-70 loss to Nebraska on Sunday , the eighth straight loss for Juwan Howard's squad. Team leading scorer Dug McDaniel led Michigan with 17 points and cashed in five of his seven attempts from the 3-point line.

As noted by Detroit Free Press Michigan beat reporter Tony Garcia , Michigan did not have a single representative on the all conference teams — first, second, third or honorable mention by either the coaches or media — for the first time since 2015-16.

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MORE: Watch Michigan vs. Penn State basketball on Peacock

The Wolverines will take on 11-seed Penn State (15-16, 9-11 Big Ten), who is coming off a regular season finale win against Maryland on Sunday. Mike Rhoades' Nittany Lions look the regular season matchup against the Wolverines, 79-73 at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. In that game against Penn State, Terrance WIlliams II led the Wolverines with a career-high 24 points while Olivier Nkamhoua contributed 13 points and nine boards.

Michigan is 1-2 in the Big Ten Tournament against Penn State. It is the first time since 2013 that both teams will face each other in the conference tournament.

REQUIRED READING: Big Ten Basketball Tournament bracket: Full TV schedule, seedings for 2024 championship

Here's what you need to know to watch Michigan vs. Penn State on Sunday:

What channel is Michigan vs. Penn State on today?

  • Stream:   Peacock

The Wolverines and the Nittany Lions will square off on Peacock as part of the Big Ten Conference's media rights contract with NBC, CBS and Fox. Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Robbie Hummel (analyst) and Zora Stephenson (sideline reporter) will have the call on Peacock.

Michigan vs. Penn State start time

  • Date:  Wednesday, March 13
  • Time:  Approximately 8:30 p.m. ET

Michigan and Penn State will tip-off at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13. The Wolverines and Nittany Lions will take the court in Minneapolis after the conclusion of the 12-seed Maryland vs. 13-seed Rutgers game.

REQUIRED READING: Michigan basketball keeps perspective as historically bad season nears end

Michigan basketball 2023-24 schedule

Below is the March portion of Michigan's 2023-24 basketball schedule. Find the Wolverines'  full 2023-24 schedule here .

Penn State basketball 2023-24 schedule

Below is the March portion of Penn State's 2023-24 basketball schedule. Find the Nittany Lions'  full 2023-24 schedule here .

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage .

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What channel is Michigan basketball vs. Penn State today? Time, TV channel for Big Ten Tournament

Dug McDaniel of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles up the court against Ethan Morton of the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half of a game at Crisler Arena on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

What are your chances of acceptance?

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is an essay required for penn state

How to Write the Penn State Supplemental Essays 2018-2019

is an essay required for penn state

Pennsylvania State University, better known as Penn State , is a public, land-grant university, with its flagship campus in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State has an additional 19 campuses across the state of Pennsylvania. Penn State – University Park is ranked #59 in National Universities by US News, and #20 in on US News’ Top Public Schools list.

University Park offers a traditional, idyllic college town campus, and is home to 40,552 undergraduates. Of these students, 57% hail from Pennsylvania; the remaining 47% of students are geographically diverse, from all 50 states and 137 countries.

Penn State’s acceptance rate in 2017 was 50%. The middle 50% of accepted students have an SAT from 1250-1430, and an ACT from 28-32. Penn State accepts the Common Application, the Coalition Application, and also offers their own admissions platform, MyPennState.

Essay Questions

Penn State requires two 500-word supplemental essays for all applicants. The first asks you to list or discuss activities other than academic work that you’ve been involved in over the last several years. The second asks you to choose “something about yourself, your experiences, or your activities” that testifies to your ability to succeed at Penn State.

Additional prompts are required for applicants to the following specialized programs at Penn State: B.F.A in Acting, Theater Studies, and the combined BS/MBA program.

Students applying to the B.F.A in Acting must write a response (no word limit) to the question “Why do you want to be an actor?”

Students applying to the Theater Studies program must write a 3-5 page research essay on a significant theatre artist of the 19th or 20th century.

Students applying to the BS/MBA combined degree program must write six additional short responses. Five separate prompts, each with a 200-word limit, ask about: your significant experiences; your career aspirations and how the BS/MBA would help you achieve them; your leadership and collaboration skills; your commitment to cultural competency in a global community; and the adjustments you will need to make to transition from high school to college. An additional prompt with a 150-word limit asks you to describe your biggest commitment.

Please use this space to list or discuss your activities other than academic work during the last several years (for example: school organizations, jobs, athletics, the arts, community service, religious groups, or other individual interests). (500 words)

Both the Common App and the Coalition App include a section for listing activities and experiences, you should ensure that your response isn’t just a paragraph-form resume or activities section. Instead, strive to give life to your activities, or discuss something that you could not fit into the activities section.

As you might guess, it’s better to “discuss” your activities than to just “list” them. Don’t be tempted to impress the admissions committee with sheer volume—with a really long list. Instead, focus on high-quality, meaningful elaborations of your activities.

So, how can you go about doing this? First, let’s consider your higher-level approach.

One strategy for this prompt is to use a theme or thesis to unify a discussion of 2-4 concrete experiences. For example, a theme of helping others realize their dreams could unify an essay where you discuss your role as team captain, your involvement in a service organization, and your internship at a hospital. This theme does not need to be explicitly stated as a topic sentence. It can be woven through the essay in more subtle ways—for example, in the analysis, you could offer how each experience has shaped you.

Another viable tactic is to focus on one activity, or maybe two activities if they are intimately related (your roles as student council president and as liaison to the town’s school committee). In an essay that uses this approach, you should try to adopt a “showing not telling” narrative style: pick a moment and immerse the reader in your first-person experience. For example, swap out “I was nervous” (telling), for something that shows that nervousness by describing how it felt (“As I entered the room, my palms began to sweat and my heart started to race.”).

Finally, it can work to pick a smattering of things that you’ve done to show your diversity as an applicant. In this case, it might be difficult to find a “unifying theme.” Instead, you can play up the contrasts between your various examples: you could emphasize the fast-paced efficiency you’ve honed as a volunteer EMT before switching gears to describe the meticulous precision you’ve developed as a classical pianist.

The approach that you pick should be dictated by the experiences that are most meaningful to you. If you think a few of your activities work together to paint a picture of who you are, go with the first strategy. If you’ve been super committed to one activity and have a lot to say about it, then consider going with the second strategy. If you feel like you’re “all over the place,” the third might be the fit for you.

Once you’ve chosen your higher-level strategy, this essay should be pretty straightforward. Give concrete examples of what makes these activities meaningful. Furthermore, try to show how they’ve shaped you by discussing not only the activities themselves but also by giving concrete examples of their impact elsewhere in your life.

If you choose to discuss your after-school job as a receptionist at a dental clinic, describe a day in the office in detail. Show the reader the skills you’ve learned. Then, you might describe how you’ve used the organizational skills you gained through work to improve your academic time management.

Remember that the most effective versions of this essay will bring your on-paper activities—and you—to life for the admissions committee.

Please tell us something about yourself, your experiences, or activities that you believe would reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn State. This is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that is not already reflected in your application or academic records. (Response required in about 500 words.)

General Strategy

One of your main objectives in all college essays should be to depict yourself as a strong addition to your college of choice’s community. This prompt makes that purpose really explicit—but it also is challengingly open-ended. To conquer that challenge, you’ll need to think carefully about your strengths and show them to the reader using specific examples.

A strong response will contain three elements: (1) a reflection on your experiences to demonstrate (2) a specific quality or trait that you think (3) will set you up for success in college. You should think of (1) as evidence that you can use to “prove” (2) and (3). Furthermore, you might think that (2) and (3) are really the same element—in the prompt, they are mixed together in the phrase “your ability to succeed.” However, it’s actually really important to disambiguate these components: you need to not only argue that you have a trait but also show that the trait will help you in college.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to structure your essay in the order explained here. Feel free to take the components of your essay “outside the box” of this basic framework.

As you brainstorm, it might be helpful to start with (2) and (3), the more conceptual elements of your response. Ask yourself: What do I need to succeed in college? What are my strengths? Keep in mind that college is multifaceted; it requires a wide range of different tools. A wide variety of traits can enable you to succeed in college: resilience, resourcefulness, interpersonal skills, openness to change, time management skills, empathy, rational thinking skills… you get the idea!

A note before we continue

You might be thinking, “but this essay asks about succeeding at Penn State, not about succeeding at just any college!” While this is true, your overall approach should prove that you are prepared for college. If you can tailor your response to Penn State by highlighting unique aspects of the school that you are prepared to take advantage of, that’s great. However, whatever you do, don’t get myopically focused on Penn State (for example, by focusing on how you are prepared for Penn State’s huge, unique sports culture). Again, the admissions committee really wants to learn about you and about the tools you bring to the table to succeed in college.

Picking a central topic/example

You’ll need to think of an example or examples that demonstrate(s) the trait(s) that will set you up for college success. Though the prompt says that you can pick “something about yourself, your experiences, or activities,” your choice should be something that you can show through a story or anecdote.

Almost any poor topic can be strengthened if you make it more specific:

Don’t pick something too broad, like “I have formed many friendships in different settings.” However, you could write a detailed account of a specific friendship or friend group you formed after switching high schools, explaining how you developed the skills to assimilate in a new social community. Then, you can discuss how, at any college, but especially a big school like Penn State, forming a social network is crucial for academics (study groups, peers to help with homework, collaborators for group projects, etc) and for making the most of your college experience.

Avoid focusing on an experience that virtually all applicants will share. “I made it through high school” is not a strong response. However, you could write about an illness you faced that jeopardized your ability to succeed in school. Through detailed storytelling, you could show the reader that you developed time management skills and perseverance, which you know are absolutely crucial for college success.

Great responses to this prompt can be quite personal since more formal academic and extracurricular activities might already be covered in your application. For example, you could relate difficult family or friendship situations you’ve negotiated to your ability to navigate a diverse and complex college community.

Regardless of which thing about you, experience, or activity you pick, be absolutely sure to avoid generalizing. Many students write a 500—or even 650 word—essay that never uses specific examples. While these essays might sound smooth, they are almost entirely composed of clichés and generalizations. An example might help here.

Example: A student could write something like:  “I have volunteered for over five years at my local homeless shelter. This experience has made me more appreciative of what I have, and more determined to give back, and I know I’ll take these values with me to college.”

Note that these sentences do not refer to a specific instance or give concrete examples. They give a general description of one activity and then make generic, high-level assertions about the results of that activity.

A strong essay will push beyond this level of resolution:

  • Describe a day at the homeless shelter.
  • Show the perspective this has given you by giving an example of how you changed your daily activities or interactions with others as a result of this experience.
  • Then link these changes to success in college by discussing how you’ll dive into volunteer opportunities and community organizations. Use specific examples of clubs or organizations at Penn State.

A few words of caution

Some students will have too many things they want to squeeze in here—perhaps you feel like you’ve just left so many crucial details out of your application. However, you should resist the temptation to use this essay as a “catch-all” for everything “not already reflected in your application.” Note that the prompt asks you to share “something” not already included—not everything! This essay should be focused and cohesive, telling a story that proves you can succeed in college.

If you truly feel that important information has been left out of your application, try to incorporate it into your activities section, other essays, or, if all else fails, the “additional information” section of the Common App.

Why do you want to be an actor? (Word count not specified) *This essay is only for Acting B.F.A applicants*

Such an open-ended prompt poses innate challenges: Where to begin? How to structure your answer? What kind of response are they “looking for”? How long should it be?

Let’s deal with the last question first. As a rule of thumb, college applications essays are read incredibly quickly, with just a few minutes allotted to each essay. This means that, with an unspecified length essay, the longer your essay is, the less time each paragraph is likely to get. As a rule of thumb, it’s best not to go over the Common App length (650 words). If you can make a convincing argument in significantly fewer words, that’s fine. However, if your essay is shorter than 250 words you might want to consider adding a few more details.

The best responses to this prompt will tell a story about your love for acting . This story will be engaging and believable and will convince the reader that you are certain that you want to be an actor. This certainty is crucial because an acting degree is highly specialized; it opens up a lot of options, but it also means that you are choosing acting training over more a general professional or academic education. Furthermore, succeeding as an actor requires passion and persistence—as you probably know, making a “breakthrough” is not easy.

Brainstorming

The place to start ideation of this story is, of course, inside your own head and heart. Perhaps what you want to focus on will be obvious, but you’ll likely need to do a little brainstorming. Try to unearth your deepest motivations by considering questions like: What do you love about acting? Is there a certain rehearsal, production, or other experience that helped you find this love? Was there a decisive moment when you realized “this is what I want to do”? When or how did you find your inspiration? Is there someone you look up to, whose creative path you want to follow?

These questions are designed to get you to think of narrative answers. However, you might not find that a simple, neat narrative emerges. Some strong responses will involve a series of “moments” that build toward a realization; some might not even involve an “aha” moment, but rather just a slow, steady process of falling in love with theater.

Narrative Strategies

The first and most important strategy discussed here is a very general one. It’s called “showing not telling.” Whatever you do, try to use specific examples and detailed narratives to depict your experiences and feelings about acting.

  • For example, instead of saying “The first time I stood on a stage, I felt incredibly happy,” you can write something more like “As I stood on the scuffed-up stage for the first time, all I could feel was an effervescent joy in my entire body.”

A more specific narrative approach is to try and link theater to a broader explanation of what is meaningful to you. This can be accomplished by drawing parallels between on-stage experiences and broader life experiences. This tactic will likely need to employ “showing not telling,” as discussed above.

  • You could depict a moment when playing a certain character helped you understand yourself better. Perhaps you stood on stage, reciting Belle from Beauty and the Beast’s lines when she talks about her father; suddenly, you had an epiphany about your own relationships with your parents.
  • Rather than just stating “Playing Belle helped me better understand my relationship with my Dad,” show this by describing a moment on the stage, in rehearsal, or an interaction with your father.
  • Creating this sort of link between theater and life can powerfully illustrate why acting is so meaningful to you as a person , not just as an actor .

Another narrative approach might be to focus on the history of the acting profession or on a historic actor that means a lot to you. This sort of approach could go something like this:

  • Let’s say you want to write your essay about a particular actor who inspires you.
  • You could begin by giving a vivid depiction of a moment in a certain actor’s career that really inspires you. Try and take the reader to the time and place in question.
  • Then, pair this moment with personal reflection–perhaps a parallel moment in your life, or the moment you learned about this actor (or watched him or her on stage!).

In such a personal essay, there is really no limit to the narrative strategies that might work. Don’t be afraid to take a little risk; this is not a traditional college application essay, and for a creative program a creative, outside-the-box essay can be a good fit.

Even so, keep in mind that each moment or experience you describe should be a piece of “evidence” to support your argument that acting is really what you want to do.  

is an essay required for penn state

Select one significant theatre artist of the 19th or 20 century (playwright, actor, director, choreographer, etc). Write a well-researched (minimum 5 sources, only 2 of which can be on-line) document describing the contribution(s) of your chosen artist to the world and to the world of the theatre. Please be aware that grammar, spelling, and punctuation are important. Your paper should include citations of your sources for all quoted or paraphrased material. Please use the MLA citation method. (You can Google “MLA Citation” and “MLA parenthetical citation” to find this on-line free of charge.) Your introduction should include an explanation of why you chose this artist to research. (3-5 pages) *This essay is only for Theater Studies applicants*

As you probably know if you’re applying, Penn State’s Theater Studies program is centered around the study of the history of theater and the motivations for contemporary theater, as well as critical study of performance. This prompt is designed to assess whether you have the interdisciplinary academic writing and research skills necessary for the program. You can tell from the precise source and citation instructions—and the reminder about grammar—that the admissions committee wants to use this essay to test your scholarship ability.

So what artist should you choose?

The artist you choose is not as important as what you do with that choice in your essay. Don’t spend too much time worrying about making an impressive or outside-the-box choice. Instead, go for an artist that (1) you can find ample sources on, (2) whose story you feel you can fit into 3-5 pages, and (3) who genuinely interests you.

Of course, if you’ve conveyed a strong interest in one particular aspect of theater in another part of your application, it might make sense to choose an artist who fits that interest. If you are passionate about studying early drafts of scripts, then it would be most logical for you to write on a playwright. If your interest is in actors and their methods, then you should consider writing on an actor. However, this isn’t a hard and fast rule—it’s just another strategy that can help you narrow down your choices and can make your application as a whole seem more coherent.

Understanding what counts as a “contribution”

The simplest way to think about a contribution, for the purposes of this prompt, is to focus on ways that your artist innovated, challenged or changed norms, or supported an ongoing effort. This could mean discussing how your artist acted as a trailblazer for certain identities, introduced new artistic techniques, or supported the rise of a project or theater company. Almost any accomplishment can be framed as a “contribution.” In order to do so, you need to focus on the lasting impact or legacy that that accomplishment has created.

You might also wonder: Should I focus more on contributions to theater, or contributions to the world?

It’s important to note that this program’s motto is “Engaged Scholarship. Thoughtful practice. Citizenship.” This means that the Penn State Theater Studies program truly cares about engaging with the world—not just with the academic study of theater. As such, try not to neglect the “world” aspect of this prompt. Show the reader that you understand that artists are also citizens and that you understand the impact of theater on the world.

Furthermore, the strongest essays will discuss contributions to both. A contribution to theater can, often, be a contribution to the world. For example, if your artist wrote plays that popularized political satire in theater, this could be a twofold contribution: first, it expands the genres that playwrights can explore; second, it plays a broader role in making space for artists to engage politically.

With this understanding of what constitutes a “contribution” and a basic idea of your artist’s life, it’s time to start serious research.

The Research Phase

Once you’ve chosen your artist, it’s time for some homework. Don’t be afraid to start off with a Wikipedia page or similar general article to get a broad sense of your subject’s life. If you already know a lot about your subject, you probably can skip this step. More importantly, you should not use Wikipedia or similar resources as one of your five sources. This phase of research is just intended to help you get started.

You should approach this project in the same way as you would approach any research paper for school. Use whatever methodology you’ve been taught or has worked best for you. Stay focused in your note-taking—the prompt isn’t that complex. Consider grouping your research findings into two categories, as dictated by the prompt: contributions to the wider world and contributions to theater.

Start with a search for scholarly or biographical articles. Remember that only two of your sources can be online! This is because the admissions committee wants to see that you are capable of using more traditional research methods—that is, that you’re not afraid of visiting a library. Unless you happen to have a lot of theater books and biographies on hand, you’ll likely need to visit your local library.  

As you conduct your research, be meticulous in your attribution of sources and accuracy. All the usual rules apply, but the stakes here are higher if you make a mistake, because accidental plagiarism or sloppy management of sources will almost certainly doom your application. If you are quoting something, make sure you use quotation marks. If you are summarizing a point, you should still attribute a source unless it is “common knowledge.” Be absolutely certain that you are not copying anyone else’s work—Penn State’s admissions department likely utilizes state of the art plagiarism-catching software, which can detect if you’ve just changed around someone else’s words or phrases.

As you reach a critical mass of sources and information, start outlining your essay.

Writing your essay

There’s no one template that will fit every essay for this prompt since the form of your essay should be dictated by its subject.

However, your essay should start with an introduction that:

  • Explains why you chose this artist (as the prompt indicates).
  • Depending on how well-known the artist is, it may also make sense to include some biographical details in the introduction.
  • Most importantly, your introductory paragraphs should also convey some sort of thesis or central, conceptual claim about your artist’s contributions. In many cases, a strong thesis can be linked to your explanation of why you chose the artist.  

A good thesis could be as broad as “[Your artist] shaped America’s social and political atmosphere by writing blockbuster plays about taboo issues,” or as specific as “[Your artist] contributed to theatrical modernism by developing innovative techniques to break down the fourth wall.”

Once you have your introduction and thesis down, you can start in on the body of your essay.

Body paragraph strategy

Build your body paragraphs around quotations, examples, and facts that serve as “evidence.” Pair this evidence with analysis: discuss why that accomplishment or action qualifies as a contribution, what it was a contribution to, and, when applicable, provide context and discussion of its larger significance.

Of course, your essay should not just be a smattering of facts paired with analysis. Instead, you should carefully structure each section. If you are writing on an artist who had a very linear career, this might mean organizing your essay chronologically. If you notice significant themes in your artist’s life and accomplishments, try organizing your essay according to those themes.

For example, you could have a section on an actor’s “challenges to traditional household roles” and a section on her “experimental vocal techniques.” Ideally, you could unite these two sections with your thesis: your claim could be that the artist used experimental acting methods to challenge stereotypes.

Once your essay is written, it’s time for editing and more editing. Here are some key boxes to tick before you submit:

First, check to be sure you’ve met all the conditions imposed by the prompt (ideally, you will have checked these throughout the writing process, so there will be no last-minute surprises):

  • Have you written on just one artist?
  • Did your artist live in the 19th or 20th century?
  • Have you used at least five sources?
  • Are only two of your sources online?
  • Do you use MLA citations?
  • Does your introduction include an explanation of why you chose this artist?
  • Is your paper 3-5 pages?

Once you’ve made sure your content 100% fulfills the prompts requirements, do a final technical check.

  • Be sure that you’ve perfectly executed your MLA citations.
  • Double-check to be sure your quotes are accurate.
  • Be sure you haven’t missed any citations or committed unwitting plagiarism in any other way.
  • Do a final read-through for grammar, style and spelling issues.
  • If possible, have a teacher or someone familiar with academic writing review your essay.

Please enter your significant experiences, and describe them. (200 words) *This essay is only for Science BS/MBA applicants*

This question is really tough. It doesn’t give hints about what qualifies as a “significant experience,” and it only gives you 200 words. Furthermore, the main Penn State supplement asks you to discuss your non-academic activities, so you’ve likely already covered a lot of “significant” experiences there.

Cracking the code of this essay requires a step back. Remember that this essay is for the BS/MBA program only . This offers a bit of insight into what the admissions committee is looking for. They want to understand your maturity and what makes you tick because one of the primary admissions considerations for a combined degree program is whether you are mature enough to commit now to a five or six year (the length depends on your amount of AP credit) academic path.

Your goal here should be to give the reader a more complete picture of who you are—and also to show them that person is mature and ready to make long-term decisions. The only “wrong” answers for this prompt are ones that make you look immature, or overlap too much with other responses on any part of your application.

Brainstorming and choosing an experience

This might all sound good in theory, but you’re probably still wondering: what kind of experiences should you list?

Think about the experiences that have really shaped you. If possible, it would be great if these experiences have also shaped your desire to pursue a BS/MBA. While the focus of the essay should not be on “why I want to do a BS/MBA” (that’s not the prompt), it’s a plus if your essay tells some sort of story about your interest in science or business.  

Strong responses can reference:

  • Interpersonal experiences – an illness or crisis in your family, or something significant that has occurred within your friend group or wider social circle.
  • Academic experiences – this could be a great place to discuss a teacher or course that has really helped solidify your academic or career interests
  • A travel experience – as long as you go beyond avoid the most obvious clichés and describe the specifics of how a journey changed you, this can be a good option.
  • Miscellaneous experiences that don’t really fit anywhere else in your application: a one-weekend meditation retreat; a conversation with a stranger; a visit to an exhibit or play; an article you read; a crime or tragedy you witnessed as a bystander.

A word of caution

With a short, conceptual prompt like this, there’s always a risk of falling into vague clichés. However, these can always be avoided if you dive into specifics.

  • Instead of saying “I could never have imagined…”, describe your feeling of surprise or amazement in original, personal terms.
  • Instead of saying “It was transformative…”, describe how you were transformed.
  • Instead of saying “…shaped who I am today…”, depict the specifics of who you are today.

Goals: Discuss your career aspirations. How would the Science BS/MBA program help you reach those goals? (200 words) *This essay is only for Science BS/MBA applicants*

General strategy

The word limit here is very short, so your response has to be to-the-point. Helpfully, the prompt lays out a clear formula for you: you need to link the resources provided by Penn State’s Science BS/MBA to the attainment of your career goals. Sounds simple, right? It will be if you use plenty of specifics.

Remember that one significant factor in admissions decisions for combined degree programs like the BS/MBA is whether the admissions committee thinks you’re really committed to this path. As you probably realize, it’s a big decision to decide as a high school senior that you want to pursue a degree after your bachelor’s—much less to pick the exact program. The admissions committee does not want to give a coveted spot to someone who will change their mind about following through on the MBA after a year or two of college. This means that you need to show both specific long-term goals that fit with the program and deeper motivations that will carry you through five or six years of rigorous education.  

Getting clear on your goals

First, dig down and describe your career goals in as much detail as you can—while still conveying a broad, bold vision for your future.

A weaker strategy:

  • Some students focus on something like achieving a particular rank in a certain company by a certain age. However, this type of career aspiration isn’t the best choice: it is too arbitrary and too specific and doesn’t convey a lot about your underlying values.

A stronger strategy:

  • Think about a particular problem you’d like to solve or a legacy you’d like to leave.
  • Perhaps you want to bring truly affordable solar cells to a mass market.
  • Or, perhaps your goal is multi-tiered: you want to forge a path for minority women in biotech startups in the short term, and in the long term you want to move to the public sector, using your entrepreneurial experience to address inequality in healthcare outcomes.

Even if your goals are currently quite vague, you can still make them sound clear and worthwhile. For example, maybe you know that you want to do something at the intersection of chemistry and entrepreneurship, but you’re just not sure about the specifics yet. That’s fine! If your goals are still vague, you’ll just have a little more work to do in the other sections of your response.

The deeper motivations behind your aspirations  

Once you’re clear on what your career aspirations are, spend a little bit of time reflecting on why you hold these aspirations. While the prompt doesn’t explicitly state that you need to explain why you hold the career aspirations you’ve stated, the best answers will at least allude to your deeper motivations. As noted above, if you show what drives you , then you provide additional assurance to the admissions committee that you’re really committed to completing the BS/MBA program.

Since you don’t have very many words, so you’ll probably need to integrate this explanation of “why” with your explanation of the goal itself.

This might mean sharing a short anecdote about your first-hand experience of rising sea levels and then connecting that experience to your desire to work on solar power to cut carbon emissions. Or, you might briefly describe a personal medical experience which gave rise to your desire to improve medical technologies.

What the BS/MBA program offers

Once you’ve established what your aspirations are and why you hold them, it’s time to focus on Penn State’s BS/MBA program. This means doing more than just talking about the basics of the program (the fact that it allows you guaranteed admission, or that it could potentially shorten your time in school).

Visit Penn State’s BS/MBA website and carefully scour it for details that fit your goals. Pick just a few specific features of the program and talk about them in your response. These can include a particular course, a professional training resource, a research program, an interdisciplinary opportunity, or even a particular professor (but be careful not to just name-drop–explain the professor’s work and its relation to your interests in detail).

Link the skills, competencies, or background that these resources provide to the attainment of your career goals. This means getting a little technical. Do you need to learn a certain management strategy to succeed as the founder of a biotech startup? Great! Talk about that specific strategy and how you’ll learn about it in a given course offered through Penn State’s BS/MBA.

Closing thoughts

Remember, this is your chance to demonstrate a few things.  Firstly, you can show commitment and enthusiasm: you’ve done your research because you’re genuinely interested in the program. Secondly, you can show mature and realistic goal-setting: you know what is necessary to achieve your goals, and you can concisely articulate the steps you will take along the way.

All that’s left is to put it all together. Your essay does not need to follow the exact order described here. However, you should make sure that all the components (your goal and deeper motivations, Penn State’s BS/MBA resources, and how those resources will help you achieve your goal) are present. Try to use vivid, concise language, with strong verbs, specific details, and personal touches.

Leadership: Please discuss your leadership and collaboration skills. Give recent examples of how they have been demonstrated. (200 words) *This essay is only for Science BS/MBA applicants*

Penn State’s BS/MBA sees itself as a training ground for future leaders on the frontiers of both science and business. They want to admit students who can work with and lead others.

“Leadership” and “collaboration,” the words used in the prompt, have become overused buzzwords in college applications. This means that one of the keys to a successful response to this prompt is to avoid just repeating these words and various synonyms. Instead, you focus on the “examples of how they have been demonstrated.” It’s possible to write an exceptional response to this prompt without ever actually using the word “leadership” or “leader.”

Picking examples

Before you choose your examples, note that the prompt asks for a “recent” example. Ideally, this means in the last two years. You should definitely not go further back than your freshman year of high school. Additionally, try not to repeat activities or experiences you’ve discussed in detail elsewhere in your application.

You can pick more than one example, but keep in mind that this essay is very short . Offering a quality, detailed depiction of your leadership in just one situation is definitely preferable to just listing every leadership role you can think of.

If you hold formal leadership roles, this is definitely a great place to discuss them. However, don’t just list off and briefly describe your titles. Instead, describe what your leadership role involves. If you’re president of a club, describe a “day in your life”—use vivid language to bring your responsibilities and skills to life. If you’re on student council, pick a particular debate or initiative and use a detailed depiction of that situation to exemplify the leadership and collaboration skills that you’ve developed.

If there are no obvious formal leadership roles for you to cite, or if you’ve already discussed them in your Common App essay or other supplemental responses, then you should think outside the box.

Effective but unconventional responses can include:

  • A depiction of how you’ve worked with peers on group projects.
  • A leadership role you’ve taken on in your family.
  • An instance when you took charge in extreme situations (getting lost on a hike, for example).

Writing the essay

Once you’ve chosen your example(s), double check to make sure that these examples are conveying skills –this is, after all, the point of the essay.

If you choose just one example, your essay should focus on depicting a “moment” in that experience that demonstrates the skill that you are claiming you possess . An example of this:

  • You could depict a moment of conflict in your local church choir, which you chair.
  • Demonstrate how you used your interpersonal skills to calm the situation, your strategic thinking skills to propose a solution, and your organizational skills to execute that solution.
  • A strong version of this essay wouldn’t just state what you did. Instead, it would set up the moment with detailed descriptions of what you felt, said and did.

If you choose to use more than just one example, here are a few ways to organize those examples. They can:

  • Perhaps you’ve been class president (requiring clear communication as a leader), worked in a restaurant as a chef (requiring a lot of collaboration), and interned with a local politician (where you found yourself leading other unruly interns by setting a good example).
  • You can unite these examples under the thesis that you are a good verbal and non-verbal communicator who knows when to give directions and when to collaborate with others.
  • Maybe in all your leadership experiences, you’ve found yourself in the position where you have to hold others accountable for their mistakes. You could give several examples of different instances (different roles) where you’ve developed the skills to do so.
  • You could choose several examples of your experience leading in a high-pressure office setting. Here, the uniting theme is where the examples actually take place.
  • If a lot of your experience has been with biology research, you could choose several examples of times when you’ve collaborated or taken on a leadership role in a laboratory setting.
  • If you choose to thematize something like this, be sure that you’re still highlighting skills that you’ve gained, not just the setting or shared content of your experience.

Inclusiveness and Diversity: In an increasingly global community, it is essential that students gain cultural competency. In what way have you demonstrated a commitment to this mission? (200 words) *This essay is only for Science BS/MBA applicants*

“Cultural competency” is defined as the ability to appreciate and accurately interpret other cultural traditions and the actions and words of people from other cultures.

This might lead you to ask: what counts as another culture?

  • There are some obvious cases—someone who actually comes from a different country, or from a radically different part of this country.
  • However, there are often many cultural divisions within a single community. Your school might include students from a variety of racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

This prompt does not ask about a time when you talked with someone who was different from you—it asks about your “commitment to this mission.”  Your goal should really be twofold:

  • To show that you understand what “cultural competency” means.
  • To show that you’re committed to it.

To accomplish these goals, you need to describe significant , lasting interactions with people who are different from you. Furthermore, The best responses will go above and beyond: they will show how you have tried to help others gain cultural competency, too.

Picking an example

Great responses could involve describing just a single, big effort you’ve made. Some answers are really obvious fits: maybe you’re involved in a club that focuses on race relations at your school; maybe you’ve done mission trips with your church that have required you to listen to and respect local knowledge and requests. In a case like either of these, you can easily write a detailed, “showing not telling” account of this experience that will fill the 200-word limit. Describe actual interactions that show your interest in understanding and working with people from different backgrounds.

If you don’t have one “big” example, then choose a few smaller ones. You could discuss choosing to do a history presentation on the history of immigration to the US, anti-racist political activism you’ve been involved in outside of school, and efforts you’ve made at your summer food service job to communicate better with foreign tourists who speak limited English. Try to thread these different experiences together to depict an interest in cultural inclusiveness that cuts across different features of your life.

Bonus points

Because this essay is for the BS/MBA program, you’ll likely get bonus points if you can tie cultural competency to success in science or business. If applicable, you could discuss your research on the differential health outcomes for people of different ethnic backgrounds in your city, or your internship with a transnational business that has required you to expand your cultural skills.

However, if there’s no real link between your cultural experiences and business/science, don’t force it. Your first priority here is to demonstrate that you’re committed to cultural competency.

Pitfalls to avoid

Regardless of whether you focus on just one experience or several, be very mindful of avoiding clichés and vagueness. It’s incredibly easy to write a 200-word essay on a topic like this that never really gets into the specifics of your experience. A vague essay might show that you know what cultural competency is, but it won’t tell the reader anything about your real-life commitment to it. Avoid general, cliché phrases like “I have interacted with many people who are different from me,” or “I have learned so much from…” Instead, show that these things are true through specific examples.

Another risk is stereotyping or making over-generalizations about cultural groups. The last thing you want to do is to end up sounding culturally insensitive as you respond to a prompt about cultural competency.

You can avoid this danger by focusing on your own experience, goals, motivations, and growth. What strategies have you developed to interact with those who are different from you? What have you learned about yourself? How have these experiences shown you the importance of multicultural acceptance? If possible, have a parent, teacher, or other third party review your essay to be sure it doesn’t include any accidentally offensive material.

As a final note: Crucially, this prompt assumes that inclusiveness and diversity are good things; it states that cultural competency is “essential.” This means that it is not a viable option to write an essay disputing that these things are important. Even if you personally do not care a lot about diversity or inclusivity, you should think carefully and write thoughtfully about the value of interacting with those who are different than you.

Resiliency: Transitioning to college can be a challenge. Discuss the adjustments you believe you will need to make in order to be successful as you transition from high school to a college environment. (200 words) *This essay is only for Science BS/MBA applicants*

The BS/MBA program asks high school seniors to commit to graduate study when they are only seniors in high school. This is a tall order—after all, you haven’t even assimilated to college life yet! That’s exactly the point of this prompt. Many students struggle in their freshman year since there is so much to adjust to. As a student in a dual degree program, you won’t have the luxury of floundering; the admissions committee wants to be sure that you’re prepared to gracefully navigate this transition to Penn State.

To start out, brainstorm the major differences between your life as a high school student and the experiences you expect you’ll have in college. If you really don’t know what to expect, try to talk to friends or acquaintances who have already transitioned to college, or peruse some articles on the topic.

Here are a few of the major differences between high school and college for most students. Use this list as a jumping off point to consider what changes will be the most challenging for you.

  • Moving away from home
  • Having a less structured schedule and more freedom
  • Larger class sizes, at least in introductory courses (this will definitely be true at a large school like Penn State)
  • Acclimating to a completely new social environment
  • Establishing healthy habits on your own
  • Picking your classes and your major
  • Communicating with professors
  • Navigating a massive campus
  • Managing your own finances.

Framing challenges in terms of “adjustments”

Once you’ve identified the differences between high school and college that matter the most to you, you’ll need to frame these as “adjustments.” How will you need to change in order to succeed at college?

  • If you’re really close to your family members, you’ll need to develop patterns for staying in touch with them, and also find a new support system at college.
  • If you are used to a super-structured school day, followed by extracurriculars, you’ll need to develop time management skills to make good use of the time between classes that is almost inevitable in college.  

Your goal here isn’t to argue that you already are prepared for college. Rather, it’s to show that you know what you need to do to succeed in college. The admissions committee wants to see that you have a strategy.

Of course, ideally, you can also show that you have the basic tools to implement this strategy.  For example, if you focus on adjusting socially, you might talk about strategies you used to adjust socially to your high school and discuss how you plan to scale those strategies up for your transition to college.

In such a short response, your goal should not be to exhaustively list all the adjustments you’ll need to make to successfully transition to college. Instead, pick two or three and use personal examples to show that you’ve thought through this question carefully and have a solid plan in place to manage your transition.

Describe your biggest commitment. (150 words) *This essay is only for Science BS/MBA applicants*

Like many of the BS/MBA prompts, this one is intended to assess your maturity level and understanding of what commitment means. Again, the admissions committee wants to be sure you’re ready to commit to a set path for the next five to six years of your life. They want to see that you have a track record of taking on responsibility and not balking when things get tough.

Picking a “commitment”

The prompt’s phrasing (“your biggest commitment”) dictates that you choose just one commitment—and it needs to be one that is obviously substantial. If it’s not the sort of thing that a reader would automatically think of as “big,” you need to be able to convincingly argue that it is, in fact, a sign of substantial responsibility in 150 words or less.

Strong options include:

  • Family or interpersonal commitments.
  • Significant leadership roles that you’ve taken on, or even academic commitments (a heavy course load, for example).
  • Outside-the-box choices could also work here. For example, maybe you’re an avid rider; in that case, you could discuss the weighty commitment of ensuring the health and happiness of your horse.

It’s also possible to choose more abstract commitments.

  • Perhaps you’ve committed to interacting with friends and family with absolute honesty. Perhaps you’ve made some sort of religious or spiritual commitment.
  • These sorts of more personal, somewhat vague responses can work—if you ground them in concrete examples.
  • If you’ve committed to complete honesty, describe a case where this commitment was difficult to keep.
  • If you want to discuss a spiritual commitment, be sure to depict the role of that commitment in your everyday life—for example, through prayer, community service, or scriptural readings.
  • If you’re not able to give these sorts of concrete depictions of what an “abstract” commitment in your life means, then it might be best to stick with a more straightforward topic for this essay.

As you’ll doubtless notice, the general supplemental questions ask about your activities and experiences, as do other questions in the BS/MBA-specific part of the supplement. This means that you will have already covered a lot of ground, and likely already discussed a number of things in your life that qualify as commitments. Though it might seem difficult, try not to double up on anything you’ve already discussed in detail (it’s fine if you’ve mentioned it in passing).

Once you’ve chosen a topic, it’s time to begin writing. Though there are many ways to go about filling your 150-word limit, the best responses will include specific depictions that show why this commitment is the “biggest” in your life. It’s easy to use up 150 words with generalizations. Instead, try to depict a “moment” that exemplifies the weight of your commitment. If you’re talking about your commitment to caring for an ailing parent, this could mean describing in detail a moment of crisis when you were there for them. If your topic is academic, this could mean putting the reader into your head at a moment when you were stretched to your limits by your courses.

If no single “moment” can convey the significance of your commitment, you can take a higher-level approach. If you’re writing about a leadership role you hold, this might mean describing the broader pool of people who depend on you, or the what the consequences would be if you fail to fulfill your responsibilities. Though this approach is slightly more “zoomed out,” you still should use specific examples and vivid details whenever possible.

Words of caution

While your goal is to convey that you are comfortable taking on responsibilities and have a track record of following through, you don’t want to make yourself sound too overburdened. Particularly if you talk about a family or personal commitment, use caution. The admissions committee should not discriminate against applicants with personal or familial struggles, but there is a chance that they might subconsciously worry that you have too many burdens to succeed in an intensely rigorous academic program.

You don’t need to explicitly address this concern ( don’t say something like “I am committed to taking care of my mother, but this won’t detract from my ability to do well in college”). Instead, try and show that this commitment is not an obstacle by subtly emphasizing how you’ve already balanced it with myriad other responsibilities. For example, you could briefly describe how you’ve managed to help care for your ill mother while succeeding in high school and at multiple extracurriculars.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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NCAAF

Penn State’s Carter Starocci set to return from injury: Will he win 4th NCAA wrestling title?

Penn State’s Carter Starocci set to return from injury: Will he win 4th NCAA wrestling title?

Carter Starocci smiled when asked about his at-large bid for the NCAA wrestling championships.

“I kind of like it,” Penn State ’s three-time NCAA champion said Wednesday, his first time meeting with reporters since sustaining a knee injury on Feb. 25. “I don’t care what they seed me at, don’t even have me seeded, just have me wrestle every single kid in the bracket one by one and I’ll take ’em all out inside three days. That’s the same plan. I think it’s more enjoyable this way.”

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Starocci, coming off a pair of medical forfeits at Big Ten championships that he called “frustrating,” said he’s locked in on preparing for his shot at a fourth NCAA title. Physically, he said he’s “fully healthy” and added that on the mat he can do “everything” right now. Starocci had his right leg heavily taped ahead of Wednesday’s practice after wearing a brace last week.

“I think it was definitely the right decision,” Penn State coach Cael Sanderson said “He’s doing well. He’ll be ready to go. He’s Carter. He was gonna wrestle that day and probably would’ve done really well. But the risk of it didn’t make sense. … He’s seeing progress every day.”

Carter Starocci spoke about his shot at a 4th NCAA title. Yeah, sounds quite ready pic.twitter.com/iWSEJs2Ky8 — Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) March 13, 2024

The 174-pound standout said he planned to wrestle last weekend in the conference championships, but Sanderson opted to hold Starocci out — reminding him that the main goal is to make sure he’s as healthy as possible for NCAAs, which start March 21 in Kansas City. Starocci took some of his frustrations with the decision public on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, but said he and Sanderson are in a good spot.

“He was in a lose-lose situation,” Starocci said. “If he puts me out there and he’s kind of second guessing himself, or the other alternative is I’m getting pissed at him. At the end of the day, he’s the boss man. I work for him. Whatever he decides is what I’m gonna roll with. … He’s done everything I ever wanna do in this life inside and outside of wrestling. Almost every word that he says that comes out of his mouth — maybe besides that day — I’m always on board with.”

Starocci and teammate Aaron Brooks (197 pounds) are both trying to become four-time NCAA champions. They’d join elite company — including that of their head coach — if they can pull off the feat. Only five wrestlers have been four-time champs, an achievement that Brooks and Starocci both said would be “cool” while also saying it isn’t their ultimate goal. With the U.S. Olympic Trials in State College in April, both have their sights set on Paris and beyond.

What’s the hardest part about aiming for that fourth title? Both can ask the man coaching them for advice if they want, but Sanderson said at this point there’s not much different that he needs to tell them.

“It just depends who it is,” Sanderson said. “I think the key to any sustained success is just don’t change. You just don’t change what you’re doing, don’t take things for granted. You have to compete with gratitude and with enthusiasm. You see that a lot in all aspects of life people kind of like being the underdog. They like to think maybe they’re the victim or picked on or something. But really, I value the person that’s expected to win and they just go out there and do it.”

Required reading

  • How Penn State hired Cael Sanderson: Inside the origins of an NCAA wrestling dynasty

(Photo: Audrey Snyder / The Athletic )

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Audrey Snyder

Audrey Snyder has covered Penn State since 2012 for various outlets, including The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Patriot-News and DKPittsburghSports. Snyder is an active member of the Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM) and is the professional adviser for Penn State’s student chapter. Follow Audrey on Twitter @ audsnyder4

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Consent Forms - Key Information Section

Key information:.

Consent forms are the tool researchers use to share important information about their studies with would-be participants. The aim is to create a document that details the research agenda so that would-be participants can choose for themselves whether they would like to participate. There are a few areas of the consent form that require specific information in order to help would-be participants understand clearly what is being asked of them as participants. The key information section aims to answers specific questions in a clear, concise, and intentional format. 

Key information sections are required when:

a consent form is longer than 2000 words

a consent form is 5 pages long when single spaced

there is not an existing key information section (should the document be 2000 words long, or 5 pages single spaced)

When writing a key information section, please be sure to stay under 2 pages of text while answering the following questions:

  • Why the person is being invited to take part in research study?

What is the purpose of the research study?

How long will the study last.

  • What will I (participant) need to do?

What are the main risks of taking part in the study?

What are the possible benefits to me that may reasonably be expected from being in the research.

  • What happens if would-be participant chooses not to participate? 

As with all sections of a consent form, information shared with would-be participants is required to be written in clear, jargin-free language that can comfortably be read by persons with an eigth-grade literacy level. Since literacy levels vary by region, state, or country, best practices are to write your consent form for persons with a sixth-grade literacy level. We want to be sure that our consent forms are understandable, and that we are working to include as many different communities as possible.

Best practices for how to write answers to the key information questions:

Why person is being invited to take part in research study.

  • Think about how you want to ask someone to join your research study.
  • You should ask someone to volunteer (all human subjects must volunteer to participate).
  • You let them know why you are talking to them.
  • Example: We are asking you to volunteer for this study because we need people between 30 and 50 years of age as healthy volunteers.
  • Think about how you would explain the main point of your study to someone that is not a scientist. 
  • How would you describe the research purpose in less than two or three sentences.
  • What is the most important pieces of your study that would-be participants need to know about the purpose.
  • Example: The purpose of this voluntary research study is to compare people 30 to 50 years of age with different health statuses. We are trying to determine how diabetes is connected to people's movement. We are going to enroll people ages 30 to 50 who are either healthy or with diabetes diagnosed by a doctor. 
  • Think about the difference between how long you anticipate processing data outcomes versus collecting data where participants are involved.
  • What you want to share here is how long participants will be part of the process. 
  • Example: We are asking volunteers to be available for six months of time. The study will begin at day one and end at six months. We will need 100 volunteers from the healthy group and 100 volunteers from the group with diabetes to complete the study before we can look at results. Final results for the study make take a few years before it is available. However, we are asking for volunteers to be available for six months.

What will I (participant) need to do?

  • Think about all of the tasks, events, procedures, etc, that you are going to ask of your participants. 
  • Tell them in broad strokes what they will be requested to do should they join the study.
  • It is okay if you are going to ask them to do multiple tasks, events, procedures, etc if they are part of the study.
  • Example: For this study, we are asking all participants to give blood, wear a personal activity device on their wrist, and keep an activities diary. We will ask participants to do a blood sugar test three times during the study. The first will be on your first day, the second at three months, and the final at six months. We will ask that you wear your personal activity device on your wrist for all days that you are activity participating in the study. And we ask that you write down in a diary on either Saturday or Sunday of each week if you did extra activities that were not part of your normal routine. Maybe you took your niece or nephew to a park and you only do that once a month. We would ask that you write that down in your activity diary.
  • This section is going to depend on what type of study you are doing. For some of our studies, we will have very few known risks because we are testing a new drug or device in humans for the first time. So, we won't have much information to share with would-be participants. For other studies, there could be a list of known side effects or concerns that we can share with would-be participants.
  • What's important is that we, as researchers, share as much information as we can about what we know about the possible risks with our would-be participants.
  • Example: For this study, we are testing a new drug. It is meant to decrease the size of colon cancer tumors. This is the first time the drug will be tested in humans so we do not have a lot of information about risks or side effects. We do know that mice being given the medication showed signs of decreased appetite and energy, and they demonstrated restless sleep.   
  • Another example: Previous studies have shown that some participants will have increased nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Other common side effects have been joint pain or stiffness, stomach cramps, and hair loss.  
  • Like the risk question, the benefit to would-participants is going to be based on the study type. For some, there are no known benefits to the would-be participants. That's okay to say because you are telling participants what is known to be true. Other studies might be able to say that 15% of participants from earlier studies had a positive outcome (whatever that might be). As long as the data holds true, then that is what you share with participants.
  • Example: There are no known benefits to would-be participants who choose to enroll in the study. We hope that this study contributes to future research that would benefit people in the future who may have this illness. For now, the only known benefit would be to science.
  • Another example: Previous studies have shown that participants with diabetes lost an average of 8% of their body weight. Persons from the health group did not see any benefit from participating in the study.

What happens if I do not want to be in this research?

  • There are a couple of required sentences as part of this response making it a little different than previous questions. Please be sure to include the two required sentences and then respond to the possibility of alternative projects, should there be any.
  • Think about if there are alternatives to the study that someone can do instead. Should they not want to participate, is there something else they could do? If so, this is where you share that information.
  • Example: Should you choose not to participate in this research, you may choose to participate in these others procedures [list the alternative procedures, including supporting care if applicable].
  • Another example: There are no known alternatives to this study. You may choose not to take part in this research study. 

Downloadable PDF. Please feel free to use the above examples to help draft your consent form key information section. Please remember that consent forms are unique to each study, and that all information in the consent form must be reflected in the IRB protocol submission.

For additional information about Key Information sections, please see HRP-109 or HRP-580.

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Spring 2025 Study Abroad Programs Accepting Applications

Posted: March 14, 2024

Penn State-approved spring 2025 semester study abroad programs are currently open for applications.

is an essay required for penn state

Spring into study abroad!

You can learn more about the study abroad application process on the Education Abroad website . With 120 programs you can choose from in 45+ countries across the globe, WE ARE confident there is a Penn State education abroad program well-suited to your personal, professional, and academic aspirations!

To learn more about spring 2025 study abroad, visit the Spring into Study Abroad website .

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Write the Penn State Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

    Penn State has one, optional supplemental essay prompt for all applicants, which is essentially a personal statement. Applicants to Penn State's Schreyer Honors College, or Accelerated Pre-Med program, will also have to respond to a fairly extensive list of supplemental prompts—2 essays and 8 short answers for the Honors College, and 4 essays for the BS/MD program.

  2. 2023-24 Penn State Supplemental Essay

    A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid. The Penn State ...

  3. Penn State Supplemental Essay Guide: 2021-2022

    There are no required Penn State application essays beyond the Common App essay. However, completing the optional Penn State supplemental essay will help you submit a well-rounded application. Students who submit strong Penn State essays will have a better chance of acceptance, so you should write the optional Penn State essay.

  4. How to Write the Penn State Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

    Penn State University has one optional essay for all applicants, and if you're using the Penn State application, you'll also be asked to list out your extracurricular activities. Applicants to the Schreyer Honors College are required to submit two additional essays and eight short answer responses, and BS/MD applicants must submit four ...

  5. What You Need For Penn State: Admission Requirements

    Application Requirements. Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews.

  6. How to Write a Penn State Essay in 3 Steps

    Step 1: Select a Topic to Write About. To begin the process of drafting your Penn State essay, you need to select a meaningful attribute, experience, or activity that makes a positive case for your ability to succeed at Penn State. You need to identify these meaningful experiences or attributes because of the first part of the Penn State essay ...

  7. How to Write the Penn State Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2023/2024

    How to write each supplemental essay prompt for Penn State. Prompt #1: Optional personal essay. Prompt #2: "Gap year" essay. Known for its legendary school spirit, top-tier athletic program, and student body the size of a small city, Pennsylvania State University is chock-full of personality and opportunity.

  8. How to Write the Penn State Supplemental Essays 2021-2022

    How to Write the Penn State Supplemental Essays 2021-2022. Penn State University has one optional essay for all applicants. Applicants to the Schreyer Honors College are required to submit two additional essays, and BS-MBA applicants must submit eight additional short essays. Admissions officers can have a hard time distinguishing between ...

  9. How to Respond to the 2023-2024 Penn State Supplemental Essay Prompts

    Pennsylvania State University, commonly known as Penn State, is a public land-grant research university located in State College, Pennsylvania.It is widely known for its high ranking athletics and undergraduate degree programs. We are here to help you respond to the Penn State supplemental essays, so keep reading!. The Penn State prompts

  10. Penn State Supplemental Essay

    Penn State Supplemental Essays 2023-24. With test-optional colleges like Penn State on the rise, mastering the Penn State supplemental essay has never been more important. Beyond seeing a strong academic record, the admissions team wants to hear directly from you. That is why including a top tier Penn State essay is so valuable in the admissions process.

  11. Admission Requirements

    Penn State will extend its offer acceptance deadline from May 1 to May 15, 2024, for incoming first-year students enrolling in the summer or fall 2024 terms. Penn State News Release. ... The minimum high school requirements for Penn State admission are outlined below. These requirements apply to all students who are interested in pursuing a ...

  12. Pennsylvania State University

    Schreyer Honors College Essay 1. Required. 800 Words. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale.

  13. How to Get Into Penn State: Acceptance Rate & Admissions Data

    The Penn State acceptance rate was 55% for the class of 2026. We examine admission data which reveals how to get into Penn State. ... the best way to personalize the admissions process is through your essays and recommendations. Penn State does not consider ... make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essay required ...

  14. How to Apply to Penn State

    Penn State will extend its offer acceptance deadline from May 1 to May 15, 2024, for incoming first-year students enrolling in the summer or fall 2024 terms. ... Review the basic requirements for two-year and four-year degrees, as well as the additional requirements for special programs. Steps to Apply. Follow these steps to complete your Penn ...

  15. Penn State Admission Requirements 2023

    Penn State GPA Requirements. The unweighted GPA requirements for Penn State are between 3.59 - 3.93 and 3.12 - 3.78 for University Park and Commonwealth Campus, respectively. Regardless of the campus you apply to, you will need a moderately high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top quarter of your class in order to get into Penn State.

  16. Steps to Apply

    Penn State will extend its offer acceptance deadline from May 1 to May 15, 2024, for incoming first-year students enrolling in the summer or fall 2024 terms. ... Steps to Apply Dates & Deadlines Requirements Statistics Transferring Credits Start Your Application. Penn State Undergraduate Admissions 201 Shields Bldg, University Park, PA 16802 ...

  17. Penn State Early Action for Fall 2024 Admissions

    kidzncatz September 4, 2023, 7:03pm 11. Admission to the BArch program is very competitive. Although essays are not required, it would be a very good idea to complete either the main essay on the Common App or the personal statement on the Penn State application. Parent42 September 4, 2023, 8:38pm 12.

  18. How To Write the Penn State All Applicants Essay

    The first part of the prompt is where you are asked to tell the reader something about yourself and your experiences that is reflective of your values, talents, and strengths. The second part is about your ability to succeed at Penn State. Considering what you need to succeed at the university and how your personal strengths will be an asset to ...

  19. Essay required for Penn state? : r/PennStateUniversity

    Essay required for Penn state? I entered as an adult student, so my circumstances might be different but I suspect the broader entry requirements (as in, written essays and such) remain the same. My application had an essay portion where I was asked to describe why I would make a good student.

  20. Penn State Personal Statement vs Common App Essay

    For Penn State, you can actually use your Common App essay as your personal statement. They accept the Common App, which means they are prepared to receive and evaluate essays written in response to those prompts. However, it's essential to make sure your Common App essay addresses the requirements and aligns with the characteristics that Penn ...

  21. ENGL 30H: Honors Rhetoric and Composition (Warren)

    Following the basic tenets of academic integrity is important beyond the rules of Penn State. By producing information ethically, your work can be reused and shared with academic and professional institutions outside of the Penn State community. Practices that may seem time-consuming actually serve to make your work shareable, and, more ...

  22. Program Admissions

    To be considered for admission in the Penn State Smeal Master of Accounting, it is important to fulfill the specific admission criteria and complete all required application components. In Part 1 of the application process, you will submit the Penn State Graduate School Online Application, which includes your resume, copies of official educational transcripts (and degree certificate if ...

  23. Testing for the 2024-25 Admissions Cycle

    Penn Admissions will remain test optional and will not require ACT or SAT test results for the 2024-25 application cycle. Students who are unable or choose not to submit test scores will not be at a disadvantage in the admissions process. ... Admitted students who included testing as part of their applications will be required to provide ...

  24. Common App

    Checking your application status. Once you submit your application through the Common App, you will receive an email from Penn State Undergraduate Admissions directing you to go to MyPennState to complete the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). You may feel that you completed this step as part of your Common App, but you must complete the Penn State SRAR via MyPennState in order for your ...

  25. What channel is Michigan basketball vs. Penn State today? Time ...

    Michigan and Penn State will tip-off at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13. The Wolverines and Nittany Lions will take the court in Minneapolis after the conclusion of the 12-seed ...

  26. Finalists announced for Graduate School Three Minute ...

    Eleven graduate students have been selected for the final round of the inaugural Penn State Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. The final in-person round will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, both live-streamed online and in person at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center. The event is free and open to the public, and advance registration is required.

  27. How to Write the Penn State Supplemental Essays 2018-2019

    Penn State's acceptance rate in 2017 was 50%. The middle 50% of accepted students have an SAT from 1250-1430, and an ACT from 28-32. Penn State accepts the Common Application, the Coalition Application, and also offers their own admissions platform, MyPennState. Essay Questions Penn State requires two 500-word supplemental essays for all ...

  28. Penn State's Carter Starocci set to return from injury: Will he win 4th

    Required reading. How Penn State hired Cael Sanderson: Inside the origins of an NCAA wrestling dynasty (Photo: Audrey Snyder / The Athletic) Get all-access to exclusive stories.

  29. Consent Forms

    Key information sections are required when: a consent form is longer than 2000 words; a consent form is 5 pages long when single spaced; there is not an existing key information section (should the document be 2000 words long, or 5 pages single spaced)

  30. Spring 2025 Study Abroad Programs Accepting Applications

    Spring into study abroad! You can learn more about the study abroad application process on the Education Abroad website.With 120 programs you can choose from in 45+ countries across the globe, WE ARE confident there is a Penn State education abroad program well-suited to your personal, professional, and academic aspirations!. To learn more about spring 2025 study abroad, visit the Spring into ...