Steps to Apply for First-Year Students
Most of Penn State’s applications come from domestic first-year students. The following types of students are considered first-year applicants (or freshman applicants, as some refer to them):
Current high school student in his or her senior year who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Student who has earned a high school diploma or a GED and has no post-secondary coursework
Student who has earned a high school diploma or GED and attempted 17 or fewer credits (semester hours) of college coursework at a regionally accredited college/university before attending Penn State
Current high school student who may have enrolled in another institution(s) before graduating from high school (dual enrollment)
Student who may have attended Penn State on a nondegree basis
If this is you, you can refer to the below steps to help with the application process, or, apply now!
Steps to Apply for First-Year Students
Do some research on programs and campuses.
With twenty undergraduate campuses and more than 275 academic programs, you have a lot of options at Penn State! Don’t wait until you are ready to apply to do your research. Even if you think you might know what and where you want to study, take some time to explore our majors, as you might discover a new passion or determine that you can specialize your studies more than you thought. And if you are still unsure after spending time reviewing our programs, don’t worry – as a first year applicant, you can apply as an undecided student through our Division of Undergraduate Studies.
Additionally, we have a variety of campus environments to choose from, allowing students flexibility on the path to earning their Penn State degree. Whether you want big or small, rural or urban, close to home or across the state, you can start most of our academic programs at any campus. Even if you have one campus in mind, spend time looking at other campuses, as we ask for two campus selections when completing the application. You can also apply with the intention of studying at two campuses – be sure to read more about the 2+2 Plan as you consider your options!
Review admission requirements and deadlines.
Now that you have considered your campus options and program of study, make sure that you meet the requirements for admission for your program. Some of Penn State’s programs have added academic requirements or additional admission and/or application requirements. You can review the requirements below:
Knowing when to apply is as important as knowing what program you are applying to! Penn State recommends that applicants submit a complete application by November 1, our Early Action deadline. Some programs have other deadlines, so be sure to review the date by which we need your complete application:
Gather everything you need to apply.
Before you start the application, be sure to get a copy of your transcript so that you can complete your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). You might have access to this through your school system, or you may have to request it from your school counselor. Additionally, you will need a credit card to pay the application fee to submit the application.
Access the Penn State application.
There are two ways to apply to Penn State – through MyPennState or through the Common App. Students who apply through the Common App will still create a MyPennState profile, but this will happen later in the process.
MyPennState Application: If applying in MyPennState, you will have access to the entire application, including the SRAR, in one place. Your application can be saved at each step of the process, which allows you to move back and forth through the application or log off and return to complete the application later.
Common App Application: If you are using the Common App, then applying to Penn State will be a two-part process. Once you complete your application in the Common App, we will send you an email directing you to MyPennState to complete the SRAR. Your MyPennState account will be created for you, and the email you receive will provide access to your MyPennState account. Do not create a separate MyPennState account as this will delay the processing of your application.
Penn State requires the completion of the SRAR via MyPennState and does not accept the high school record that is available in the Common App.
Finalize all your application details.
You already spent time thinking about your major and campus – now’s the time you let us know your program of study, your first-choice campus, and your alternate-choice campus.
There are a few other options to consider while completing the application. First, you will let us know if you are going to be applying for test-optional admission or if you are sending test scores. Be sure to review our Middle 50% to guide you as you make this decision. If you do send test scores, keep in mind that they need to be the official scores and your application will not be complete until we receive them.
For students applying to University Park as their first-choice campus and fall as their starting term, you will see a question asking if you would be interested in starting in the summer session, should we not be able to offer fall admission. Saying “yes” to this question will increase your chances of admission to University Park because summer admission is slightly less competitive than fall admission. If a student is admitted to summer, that session is mandatory, so do not say “yes” unless you are able to start at University Park in summer session (typically late June/early July).
Lastly, you can complete the optional Activities section and Personal Statement within the application. If you apply via the Common App, we do receive your Common App essay, so you could choose not to complete Penn State’s Personal Statement, as it is optional.
Submit your application!
The application requires applicants to pay a nonrefundable application fee via credit card. Students who have requested and received an approved application fee waiver will be able to bypass the payment screen on the application.
Domestic Fee: $65
International Fee: $75
Be sure to complete the last step after "Summary and Review," which finalizes payment. For those applying in MyPennState, you can verify its completion on the Application Checklist, which may take up to 24 hours to update. For those submitting via the Common App, look for your email on how to access your MyPennState account 24-48 hours after application submission.
Submit any required materials.
Sometimes, submitting the online application means you are done! Most times, it is the first step to completing your application.
If you apply via the Common App, you will still have to complete your SRAR in MyPennState – which means you just have to wait for our email to access it to complete that requirement.
Any student who would like to submit test scores, will need to send us the official scores from the testing service:
SAT via the College Board (code #2660)
Penn State does not use or require Subject Tests.
ACT (code #3656)
Some programs require additional items to complete your application. You can review your Application Checklist in MyPennState for details after application submission or review our Admission Requirements at any time.
Lastly, Penn State does not require letters of recommendation for admission to the University, nor are they used in the application review process. Note that some specific programs require recommendations.
Check your application status.
You can always check the status of your application in MyPennState. We will communicate with you via MyPennState and through email regarding any missing items for your application. Please note that it is your responsibility to check the status of your application and send us any missing materials to meet application deadlines.
When everything has arrived, you will see a status in MyPennState confirming the completion of your application.
Lastly, MyPennState is where you will see your admission decision! Be sure to review Dates & Deadlines to have an idea of when you might see your decision.
Ways to Apply to Penn State
MyPennState
Log in to MyPennState to access the online application and start on your path to becoming a Nittany Lion!
Common App
Penn State is one of more than 800 colleges across the United States accepting applications through the Common App.