UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In response to challenges faced by students applying for undergraduate admission to Penn State, the University has moved its deadline for Early Action from Nov. 1 to Nov. 15. The new date will give students an additional two weeks to submit materials to qualify for an Early Action decision. Students applying for Early Action are assured a decision from the University by Dec. 24.
In addition, undergraduate applicants now have the ability to change their response to the application question regarding the use of standardized tests in their evaluation. With the University going test-optional for the first time, students are asked on the application whether they want SAT/ACT scores used in their evaluation for admission.
Due to COVID-19, many SAT and ACT test dates have been canceled. By shifting the Early Action deadline and giving students the opportunity to change the answer to the test-optional question, students will be better positioned to make informed decisions about their evaluation for admission.
“We have heard from many students and school counselors that test cancellations have added to the stress being felt by students and families,” according to Vince Timbers, interim director of admission. “With these changes, we can be more flexible as a result of test cancellations.
“By extending the deadline for Early Action,” Timbers added, “we are able to include test scores from the October SAT/ACT test dates, assuming that these test dates are not canceled due to COVID. Giving students the ability to change their response on the application allows them to tell us to include test scores, if they can get the scores to us by Nov. 15. By the same token, if they said 'yes' to the question and want scores included, but can’t take the test due to COVID, they now can ask that we not include scores in the decision.”
The request to alter the response to the test-optional question must be submitted prior to the University issuing an admission decision. Pre-decision, students can request a change to the test-optional question by emailing admissions@psu.edu using the subject line “Change Test-Optional Answer.”
Future students are being reminded that Early Action does not commit the student to attend the University, as is the case with Early Decision at many universities. Students will still have until May 1 to accept offers of admission. May 1 is the National Decision Day for students to accept offers of admission.
Penn State Undergraduate Admissions is part of the Office of Undergraduate Education, the academic and administrative unit that provides leadership and coordination for University-wide programs and initiatives in support of undergraduate teaching and learning at Penn State. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.