Penn State Berks:Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

How many students attend Penn State Berks?

2,471

What was the size of the incoming class of first-year students?

785

When should I submit my application for admission?

We recommend that applications for first-year admission be submitted by November 30. If your first choice of campus is a location other than University Park, your application can be reviewed as early as the end of September. Applications will be accepted after November 30, but as admissions criteria rise throughout the academic year it may become more difficult to gain acceptance to your first choice of major or campus location.

Does Penn State offer an early decision program?

No, Penn State does not employ an early decision program in its admissions process.

How will Penn State notify me of its decision regarding my application?

All students are notified through the mail regarding the outcome of the application evaluation.

What will Penn State evaluate when considering my application for admission?

First-year student admissions decisions are made on the basis of several combined factors:

final grades in all subject areas for years nine, ten, and eleven of high school if you are currently a high school senior, and weighted average or class rank for students who have taken AP/Honors courses --required Carnegie (high school) units-standardized test scores (SAT/SAT 1 or ACT). Approximately two-thirds of the evalutation is based on high school grade point average and one-third on SAT or ACT score. Transfer admissions decisions are made on the basis of a student's cumulative collegiate grade-point average and completion of appropriate prerequisite courses. Requirements vary by academic college, and semester standing may affect availability of campus locations.

How will Penn State evaluate my high school?

Penn State does not rank or rate high schools. We also make no distinction between students who attended public schools and those who attended private schools.

Does Penn State consider extracurricular activities or part-time employment in its evaluation?

Typically, Penn State has not used this information in reviewing every application. However, we encourage students to provide both the activities information and personal statement on the application form so it is available for review when we
believe it is appropriate.

Are admission requirements for out-of-state students different from those for in-state students?

No, all students are evaluated in the same manner. Penn State does not employ any geographic quotas or limitations on students attending. Therefore, there is no
need to make use of differentiated admissions criteria.

Typically, what kind of credentials should an individual have in order to get an offer of admission to Penn State?

Admissions criteria change from year to year. Therefore, there is no one set of statistics that students can use to predict their own admissibility to Penn State. The
chart below is based on the middle 50 percent of students offered admission for fall semester 2003. It is intended to give you a general idea of how likely you are to be offered admission to Penn State, and at which campus. Please keep in mind that these figures are not cut-offs; since the chart shows the middle 50 percent in each range listed, 25-percent of students offered admission fall below the range shown, and 25 percent fall above the range. Having one factor above the middle range may help to balance the other factor if it falls below the middle range.

High School GPA Middle 50% Range (High school GPA based on a 4.0 scale)		Combined SAT Middle 50% Range		Combined ACT Middle 50% Range
University Park	3.48-3.89	University Park	1170 - 1340	University Park	26 - 30
All other campuses	2.86-3.35	All other campuses	960-1150	All other campuses	20-25

Will my chances for admission be affected if I apply for financial aid?

No, our admissions process is need-blind. Admissions decisions and student aid awards are made independently by two different administrative offices.

Is it more difficult to get admitted to some academic colleges or campus locations than others?

In general, admission to all Penn State campuses and programs is competitive. The greatest level of competition tends to occur among students who indicate their first choice of campus location as University Park.

Are interviews required?

Interviews are not typically required as part of the admissions evaluation. Those academic colleges or majors that do make use of an interview, audition, or portfolio review, are listed in the application instructions.

Are first year students guaranteed on-campus housing?

Housing at Penn State Berks is limited and not guaranteed. It is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis after accepting your offer of admission.

What are the tuition and other expenses?

Note: These rates are based on first year undergraduate students. For tailored information, please visit Penn State's tuition calculator.

Tuition and Fees For incoming first-year students	Pennsylvania Residents	Non-Pennsylvania Residents
Penn State University Park	$10,852	$20,780
Penn State Berks	$10,026	$15,140
Other Expenses*
Rooms and Meals	$7,120	$7,120
Books and Supplies	$800	$800
Travel/Personal Expenses	$1,200-$2,400**	$1,200-$2,400**
* Estimated cost per academic year
** Will vary for each student

Where can I find out about financial aid?

Visit the Penn State Berks Financial Aid Website

What type of technology services are available at Penn State Berks?

By visiting our Information Technology site, you can find out more about the technology services and interactivity that is found at Penn State Berks.