Admissions Options & Procedures
Admissions Categories
Any individual enrolling in a Penn State credit course must file an
application for admission. The specific application and procedures to be followed depend
on the educational background and goals of each applicant. Penn State has established
three different admission categories for enrollment: degree, provisional, and nondegree.
DEGREE ADMISSION
Degree Admission into an applicant's choice of major may be decided
through two different methods. The first is a "traditional" weighted formula
which analyzes SAT scores (35%) and high school grades (65%) regardless of when they were
earned; there is no "expiration date" on high school grades or SAT scores! The
formula also ensures the applicant has completed all high school courses required by the
college administering the selected major. Each of the University's colleges establishes
the minimum admission requirements for the majors within its administrative control.
The second method considers degree admission of adult learners who have been out of
high school five or more years, or veterans who have served in the military four years or
more with an honorable discharge. This includes candidates with a GED or high school
diploma but no SAT scores. These candidates meet with an admission representative who
evaluates information discussed during the interview along with other factors to assess
whether degree admission is a reasonable option for the candidate.
Applicants with both a high school diploma and SAT scores forward the degree admission
application and a $50 check for processing to the Penn State Undergraduate Admissions
Office. Candidates missing one of these "traditional" indicators who met with an
admission representative and are being supported for degree admission submit the degree
application and a $50 check to the Adult Center. A counselor will forward the application,
check, and a letter of support to the Undergraduate Admissions Office for processing.
All applicants must also have an official high school transcript sent to the
Undergraduate Admissions Office at University Park. Applicants who attended another
college or university must also have an official transcript from each of the previous
institutions attended. When a complete admission application is on file in the
Undergraduate Admissions Office a response will be usually generated in approximately six
to eight weeks.
A degree student financially eligible for student aid may use the awards within the
established guidelines of each source of financial aid.
PROVISIONAL ADMISSION
Provisional Admission may be offered to an applicant who does not
qualify for degree admission.
The provisional admission application, which does not require a processing fee, is
returned to the Penn State Altoona Admissions Office. All provisional applicants must also
send a separate form to their high school guidance office, and any other college or
university in which they were previously enrolled, to request an official transcript be
sent directly to the Penn State Altoona Admissions Office. Applicants who earned a GED
must submit a copy of their GED certificate/scores in addition to an official copy of
their high school transcript. Processing cannot begin until the provisional application,
official high school and college transcript and GED documentation, if appropriate, are on
file in the Penn State Altoona Admissions Office. When a complete provisional application
is on file, a response will be generated by the Admissions Office within two weeks.
After initially enrolling as a provisional applicant, a student may apply for degree
status after completing a combination of Penn State courses. The number of credits and
specific courses required to move from provisional to degree status varies with each
major.
A provisional student financially eligible for student aid may use the awards within
the established guidelines of each source of financial aid.
In addition to being eligible to use awarded student aid, degree, readmission, and
provisional students may schedule classes before new and returning nondegree students.
