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Admission to Penn State is competitive. The Office of Admissions considers the following criteria in granting admission to the following types of students:

First-year students

  • final grades in all subject areas for grades nine, ten, and eleven of high school, if you are currently a high school senior
  • class rank (weighted average is used for students who have taken AP/Honors courses)
  • required Carnegie (high school) units
  • standardized test scores; SAT/SAT I or ACT  (SAT II exams are not required.)

Approximately two-thirds of the evaluation is based on high school grades, and one-third on other factors, including standardized test scores, class rank, and the types of courses taken in high school (i.e. AP, honors, etc.).  The evaluation may also include a review of the personal statement and list of extracurricular activities that you may submit with the application.

 

Requirement Type University Park All other Penn State Campuses
High School GPA 3.52-3.97 2.96-3.46
Combined SAT 1750 to 1990 1470 to 1720
Composite ACT 26 - 30 21 - 25
Combined English/Writing ACT 25-30 20-25
The following table shows the middle 50 percent range for first-year students offered full admission to Penn State.

 

Transfer students 

  • total number of credits a student has accumulated from all colleges and universities attended
  • grade-point average (GPA) from all colleges and universities attended
  • choice of major
  • course work successfully completed at other colleges and universities that are members of the six regional accrediting associations

A transfer student is any student who has completed 18 or more credits of work from a post-secondary instiution after graduating high school.

To be eligible for review, the grade received in the course must be equivalent to a “C” (2.0) or higher at Penn State and Penn State must have a similar program or course offering. The course should be useful in the student’s program of study at Penn State. College level course work completed at colleges or universities that are licensed by state boards of education to award associate degrees or higher, but that are not members of one of the six regional accrediting associations, may be eligible for credit by validation.

Adult students

An adult learner may be 24 years of age or older; a veteran of the armed services, or an active duty member; an individual returning to school after four or more years of employment, homemaking etc.; or a person who assumes multiple adult roles such as parent, spouse/partner, employee, and student.

The same criteria are considered for adults depending on whether they are first-year or transfer students. In addition, SAT I or ACT scores will be waived for adult students who have been out of high school five or more years, or veterans who have served in the military four years with an honorable discharge.

International Students

Click here for more information about admissions requirements for international students.

 

 

Penn State New Kensington
Office of Enrollment Management
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
724-334-LION
888-968-PAWS