Admissions Requirements for First-Year Students
The minimum high school requirements for Penn State admission are outlined below. These requirements apply to all students who are interested in pursuing a degree at Penn State. Depending upon what type of applicant you are, you may also have to meet additional requirements. Please review all applicable requirements prior to applying for admission.
High School Requirements for a Four-Year Degree
The below chart outlines the minimum high school academic requirements for admission to a four-year program by units of study. In most high school curricula one unit is equal to one year of work.
Category 1:
Majors in these colleges at University Park:
Smeal College of Business
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
College of Engineering
College of Information Sciences and Technology
Eberly College of Science
Majors at other campuses:
All Business programs
Engineering/Engineering Technology at Erie and Harrisburg
Science at Altoona, Abington, Berks, Erie, Harrisburg, and Lehigh Valley
Category 2:
All other four-year majors at the University and the Division of Undergraduate Studies
*Math Requirement:
Some colleges and majors require the completion of additional math in high school in order to be eligible for admission. Statistics does not meet the math requirement for those programs.
**World Language Requirement:
Two units in a single world language other than English are required. American Sign Language can be used to satisfy the World Language requirement for admission.
A student may be admitted with fewer than two units in a world language other than English but must correct this deficiency by the time they graduate from Penn State. This deficiency may be corrected by passing one three-credit or four-credit college-level world language course, by earning transferable credits from another institution, or by demonstrating proficiency equivalent to two units of high school world language study.
High School Requirements for a Two-Year Degree
The below chart outlines the minimum high school academic requirements for admission to a two-year program by units of study. In most high school curricula one unit is equal to one year of work.
Information for Applicants with a GED
If you did not graduate from high school and earned a GED, official high school transcripts through the last year you completed AND an official GED transcript are required.
All high school and GED transcripts must be sent directly to Penn State from the high school (educational institution of origin) or GED testing center to be considered official. Students can obtain their official GED through the Department of Education in the state from which the GED was received.
The following links are helpful in acquiring the GED transcript:
The Undergraduate Admissions Office will review each applicant's high school coursework and/or GED individually when considering a student for admission.
Adult Learner Applicant with a GED
Adult learners are required to send a GED transcript only. Please review Penn State’s definition of an adult learner to determine what you will need to include with your application.
Additional Requirements for Specific Programs
Applicants need to submit a prescreen to complete the application. More information is available on the College of Arts and Architecture website.
Applicants need to submit Evidence of Creative Work to complete the application. More information is available at the College of Arts and Architecture website.
Applicants must submit essay question responses and recommendation letters. More information is available at the Millennium Scholars Program website.
Applicants must schedule a School of Music audition to complete the application. More information is available on the Arts & Architecture website.
Applicants must submit a prescreen to complete the application. More information is available on the Arts & Architecture website.
Applicants must submit a one-page resume and responses to program questions within the application. SAT/ACT scores are highly encouraged. More information is available on the Eberly College of Science website.
Applicants must present evidence of a playing proficiency reflected in a handicap of 12 or lower. Verification may be confirmed by a member of the PGA or a High School Golf Coach. More information is available on the Health and Human Development website.
Applicants must submit essays, responses to short answer questions, and recommendation letters. Applicants applying before November 1 may also participate in an optional interview. More information is available at the Schreyer Honors College website.
Applicants must submit a prescreen to complete the application. More information is available on the Arts & Architecture website.