UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Applications open Aug. 1 for admission to Penn State in fall 2021. As announced in June, this year test scores are optional for students applying for undergraduate admission in order to ease anxieties students and their families may be feeling because of COVID-19 disruptions. Students will be asked on the application if they want to have SAT or ACT test scores included in their evaluation. Undergraduate Admissions also requests that students be sure of their test inclusion choice as it cannot be changed once the application is submitted.
More information on the test option is available here.
Those who complete the application by Nov. 1, 2020, will be considered Early Action (EA) applicants provided they indicate EA interest on the application. Students selecting EA will receive a decision by Dec. 24. Early Action applicants will receive notice of their student aid package in early February, giving them more time for financial planning. EA does not obligate admitted students to attend Penn State. Early Action applicants still have until May 1, 2021, to make their decision.
The dates and deadlines are:
- Aug. 1, 2020: Applications for undergraduate admission become available
- Oct. 1, 2020: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available
- Nov. 1, 2020: Penn State’s Early Action filing deadline
- Nov. 2, 2020: Schreyer Honors College priority filing date
- Dec. 1, 2020: Recommended application date for students not selecting Early Action
- Dec. 1, 2020: FAFSA recommended filing date
- Dec. 24, 2020: Early Action applicants will receive their decision (admit, defer, deny)
- Early February 2021: Early awarding of student aid begins for applicants in Early Action
- May 1, 2021: National Decision Day (enrollment deposits are due)
In addition to applying through MyPennState (available Aug. 1), prospective students can also apply using the Coalition application or the Common App (both also available Aug. 1).
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.