Dates & Deadlines for First-Year Students
Penn State receives over 100,000 first-year student applications, so what can you do to ensure your application is as competitive as possible?
Application Deadline and Decision Information
Applicants are evaluated on a modified rolling admissions schedule. Additionally, some academic programs have limited enrollment and specific application dates. The deadline for first-year, domestic students to apply Early Action is November 1. For those students choosing not to apply Early Action and for all domestic students, we recommend submission of a complete application, including all required materials, by December 1.
To meet the application deadlines outlined below, you have to submit a complete application by the provided date. The important application dates are:
Fall and Summer Starting Semesters
First-Year Applicant Dates for Fall and Summer starting semesters.
First-Year applications may be submitted between August 1 and July 28, but options may become limited later in the admissions cycle.
View detailed dates and deadlines information.
With a few program exceptions Decision Plan Application Available Complete Application Admission Notification Deadline for Student Notification of Enrollment Early Action August 1 by November 1 by December 24 May 1
Rolling Admission August 1 by December 1 by January 31 May 1
Rolling Admission August 1 after December 1 Rolling May 1
Spring Starting Semester
First-Year Applicant Dates for Spring starting semester.
*With the exception of a few programs.
Decision Plan Application Available Application Submission Date Admission Notification by: Deadline for Student Notification of Enrollment
Rolling Admission June 1 December 1 Mid-December Refer to offer notification
Those students who submit a complete application, including a Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR), by November 1 will have the best chance of admission to their first-choice campus and/or major and will receive an admission decision no later than December 24. Applying after November 1, while acceptable, may limit your campus and major choices.
The following programs require the receipt of a complete application by specific dates:
Application Deadlines for Specific Programs.
Program Name Application Deadline
Accelerated Premedical-Medical October 15
Nursing December 1 for Penn State University Park Applicants
Penn State Altoona, Behrend (Erie), Fayette, Mont Alto, and Scranton are not held to this deadline
Penn State Campuses
Students are most competitive for their intended campus and/or major if they follow the schedule outlined above. But many of our campuses, with the exception of University Park, accept applications throughout the spring and summer and notify applicants of their admission on a rolling basis. Contact your campus of interest to inquire about applying.
Applications for most on-campus, resident instruction programs are accepted prior to the beginning of the fall, spring, and summer terms. The Master of Finance program does not accept applications for summer and the Master of Leadership Development only accepts applications for fall.
For questions and more information, contact us at gvadmiss@psu.edu or 610-648-3242.
Recommended Deadlines
Fall – July 15*
Spring – December 6**
*Completed applications received after the deadlines may be considered for fall I or fall II admission. We cannot guarantee review if they are submitted close to the start of the semester. For more information email gvinfo@psu.edu.
**For information about scholarship application deadlines, visit the Scholarship for New Applicants page.
International applicants who plan to study on an F-1 or J-1 visa are admitted to the fall semester only, and must enroll full-time. The application deadline is May 31.
Individuals on work visas (such as H-1B, H4, or L visas) may enroll part-time, and begin in the fall, spring, or summer term, depending on program:
- Data Analytics
- Engineering Management
- Information Science
- MBA
- Software Engineering
- Systems Engineering
The application deadlines also apply for students to resume study, change a major or degree, and add a graduate certificate. More information can be found on the Graduate School website.
Start dates for each session are on the Academic Calendar.