Are you a First-Year Student? 

The majority of Penn State’s applications come from traditional, 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
  • Student who has earned a high school diploma or a GED and has no post-secondary coursework
  • Student who has attempted 18 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 non-degree basis 

What to Expect

Penn State strongly recommends that applications for freshman admission be submitted by November 30 of the student's senior year of high school. Applications will be accepted after that date, but as admission criteria rise throughout the academic year, it may become more difficult to gain acceptance to your first choice academic college or campus location. Additionally, applying by November 30 provides full scholarship consideration and access to an early financial aid estimate. Penn State does not employ an early decision program in its admission process.

Admissions Notification Timeline

If your complete application(including SAT or ACT scores, application fee, and official high school transcripts) were received by:

  • November 30- your anticipated notification date should be no later than January 31
  • December 31- your anticipated notification date should be no later than February 28
  • January 1- your anticipated notification date should be after March 1

*Dates shown would be during a students' senior year of high school

How to Apply

  1. Create a MyPennState profile
    Note: If you schedule an appointment with Admissions, we’ll waive the $65 application fee. Check out how to apply for free. 
  2. Fill out the application in your MyPennState profile. Have a copy of your high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores available to fill out the Self-Reported Academic Record. 
  3. Review your MyPennState checklist for prompts to ensure all required supporting materials have been received. These may include: official final high school and dual enrollment transcripts, and SAT or ACT scores. These may be mailed or faxed to our Admissions office. Once all materials have been received, your application will be considered complete. 
  4. After receiving your offer of admission, pay the $230 registration fee. Congratulations! You’re officially a Penn Stater. Check your email regularly for information about taking the ALEKS assessment and orientation.