COLLEGE READINESS/ PREP 1.0
August 1 - November 1
Early Action Period = Decision by Dec. 24.
DETERMINES ENTRANCE CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION
~ INDIVIDUAL COLLEGES
College of Engineering, Smeal College of Business, Eberly College of Science, etc.
True or False:
FAFSA is a loan from the federal government
FALSE!
The FAFSA is a form you need to fill out to get any financial aid from the federal government.
- PSU Requires everyone completes.
Money for school that does not get paid back
Scholarship or Grant
Your main course of study
MAJOR
- A SPECIFIC AREA OF STUDY A STUDENT CHOOSES TO SPECIALIZE IN. Ex: Business, Engineering, or Biology.
MyPennState
What is: PSU's online prospective student portal.
The "central hub" for students to apply online, track their application status, and receive personalized information from the university.
Methods used to apply to College/University
COMMON APP (or) MYPENNSTATE APPLICATION
- Common App: will get email 48 hrs. afterwards to go to PSU and set up student portal.
*PSU portal is where students imports the "required" SRAR info.
Financial aid that is based on grades, athletics, and musical talent
What is Merit-Based Aid
How many times can a student change their major?
No limit; just takes longer to complete program and graduate.
Colleges require you to purchase (or) rent them for most classes
TEXTBOOKS
THREE TYPES OF DECISIONs RECEIVED
What is: ADMIT, DEFER, DENY
Admit - Offered to participate in a PSU program
Defer - Decision deferred until later in the cycle
Deny - Admission denial
2 places where you can find scholarship information
Counselor office, College website, Online searches
These are funds borrowed by the student and/or parent(s).
STUDENT LOANS
- Money you borrow from the federal government or a private group to pay for college and repay later with interest.
First year students stay here
DORMITORY = PSU REQUIRES ALL 1ST YEAR STUDENTS TO LIVE ON CAMPUS
The cost of dorms or other living arrangements
What is room and board
Received on the 1st day of class to explain assignments, expectations, grading style, textbooks, & class policies?
SYLLABUS
- Your course guide and what will be expected over the semester/quarter
3 things colleges look at when considering your application.
GRADES, ACT/SAT scores, Essays, Extracurricular activities, & Recommendations, etc.
Name the four main types of financial aid for students:
Scholarships, Grants, Loans, Work study
Minimum number of credits a "Full Time" student takes.
12+ CREDITS = FULL TIME STUDENT
11 CREDITS & BELOW = PART TIME STUDENT
Pursuit of academic opportunity in a foreign country
STUDY ABROAD
- Opportunity through PSU Global Programs
Most used entrance exam and college tests seniors use for college admission
ACT - American College Test
SAT - Scholastic Assessment Test
*PSU is test-optional through Fall 2026
Minimum "MATH" requirement for S.T.E.M. and/or Business Majors
Double Points: Course not equivalent
ALGEBRA 1, GEOMETRY, ALGEBRA 2, & 1/2 Credit of Pre-Calculus, Calculus, or Trigon0metry
Refers to the $$$ students can earn for school while working for the university
WORK-STUDY
- A way student earn $$$ to pay for school through part-time on campus jobs
% of 1st year students who continue at school the following year
What is the Retention Rate
Academic mentor that guides you through college
Academic Advisor