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Smeal Second-Year Entry

Information around Smeal's Second-Year Entry process.

First-year students admitted to Penn State through another academic college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) may apply through Smeal’s Second-Year Entry process.  Admission is highly competitive and admitted students are assigned a Smeal major based on space availability, meaning placement into a first-choice major is not guaranteed.

Eligibility

Students must be first-year baccalaureate students admitted for Summer or Fall 2026 and enrolled at a Penn State residential campus.
Note: World Campus students, transfer students, associate degree students, or non-degree students are not eligible.

Requirements for Applying

To apply, students must:

  • Attend the required online information session (Spring 2027).  Session details will be posted here when available.
  • Complete or have in-progress at least 24 Penn State-graded credits at a Penn State residential campus.  All 24 credits must be completed by the end of Spring semester.
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.10 or higher through the end of Spring semester.
  • Complete or have in-progress the following courses, earning a C or higher in each by the end of Spring:
    • ENGL 15 or ENGL 30 (or equivalent)
    • MATH 110, 140, or 141
    • ECON 102 or ECON 104

Transfer and other approved credits are accepted in accordance with Penn State policy; however, all credits must appear on the Penn State transcript prior to applying for Smeal Second-Year Entry.

Application Details

The Smeal Second-Year Entry application will open Saturday, April 10th through Friday, April 30th, 2027.  Late applications will not be accepted.  The application link will be posted here once it opens.

Applications are reviewed holistically, with consideration given to academic performance and additional components, including:

    • Resume
    • Online talent assessment

Students must also submit an academic plan for an alternate major should they not be accepted into Smeal.

Decisions

Decision notifications will be announced in the second week of June.  Accepted students will then request a change to Smeal pre-major, provide an initial ranking of their Smeal major preferences, and be assigned to a Smeal academic adviser. 

Entering a Smeal Major Once Accepted through Smeal Second-Year Entry

The Smeal entrance-to-major deadline is the last Friday in February of the student's second academic year.

By the deadline, students must:

  • Have all entrance-to-major coursework completed or in progress.  All required coursework must be successfully completed by end of the Spring semester.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.60 or higher at the end of both the Fall and Spring semesters.
  • Confirm ranked preferences for Smeal majors.

Major Assignment

More information to be announced as details are confirmed.

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