Admissions Reps Report: 2025 Updates from Penn State and Pitt

COLLEGES NOT RECEIVING FAFSA INFO UNTIL MID-MARCH WILL SEND OUT AWARDS IN MID-APRIL

Penn State:  42,000 students at University Park, 120,000 apps this year. Apply by 11/1 Early Action.

3.65-3.95 recalculated. Average SAT 1320-1480 ACT 29-33. 

Top majors: Engineering, Business, Nursing, Biology, Psychology. Even in the most competitive colleges like Engineering, Business, Science, Liberal Arts, some majors have less interest than others. Some smaller, more specialized colleges (like Earth & Mineral Sciences and Information Sciences & Technology, majors that are more specialized and thus interest isn't as large). The acceptance rate varies, but the average acceptance for the Smeal College of Business at University Park is 25%. 

We are looking for at least pre-calculus in high school to be eligible for Engineering/Science/STEM fields, as Calculus 1 & 2 are typically first-year requirements for students.

Previously, any student who received an offer to Penn State for a 2+2 program was able to have their application reconsidered for a different academic college at University Park. This year, students are now limited to only one reconsideration for a new program at the University Park campus.

Sports News: Volleyball won National Championship, Wrestling Team #1 

University of Pittsburgh: 3.98 weighted/recalculated: Average SAT 1400 ACT 32. Received over 60,000 applications this year.

Nursing is the most competitive undergraduate school--ranked #4 nationally. Admit rate for the School of Nursing is about 20-25%. For example, as of this morning we have just 5000 apps for nursing and have offered admission to about 1000. The first-year class will enroll about 200 students. The most popular majors are Business, Engineering, Nursing, Health Sciences, Social Sciences. Early deadlines for Honors. Pitt will remain test optional through 2028.

Next week: News from Rutgers, Binghamton, Stony Brook, and UConn!