Review the basic requirements for two-year and four-year degrees, as well as the additional requirements for special programs.
High School Admissions Requirements
The minimum high school admissions requirements for Penn State are outlined below. Applicants should review these requirements prior to applying for admission.
The high school admissions requirements apply to all students interested in pursuing a degree at Penn State. Based on your applicant type, you may also have to meet additional requirements. Please review all requirements prior to applying for admission.
Please review the side navigation for information on other requirements based on applicant type or academic status.
Admissions Requirements for First-Year Applicants Interested in Special Programs
Penn State offers several special programs that have additional application requirements for first-year students. Choose a program area below to learn more.
Visual and Performing Arts
Review the requirements for Penn State's programs in the visual and performing arts.
Music and Theatre
An audition/interview is required for admission consideration and placement for any program in music or theatre. Scheduling is the student's responsibility and should be done as soon as possible but no later than February 1. In the meantime, students should file an application for Penn State with Undergraduate Admissions as soon as possible.
Read about music auditions and how to schedule your audition, or contact the School of Music at 814-863-0418 for more information.
Accelerated Premedical-Medical Program
To be considered for this rigorous academic program, you must minimally:
- Be in the highest tenth of your high school class
- Earn a combined score of 2100 or higher on the SAT or a composite score of 32 or higher on the ACT from a single test date no later than October of your senior year
- Submit a COMPLETE application (standard Penn State application and the additional materials required for admission to the program) by November 30 of your senior year
Students who do not meet the above criteria will not be considered for the program.
Students seeking admission to this program must apply online using the Penn State application. Upon completion of the application, they will also have to complete all necessary questions and provide the additional application material requested.
Again, applications for this program must be received with complete credentials by Undergraduate Admissions no later than November 30 of a student’s senior year. Applications that are received or incomplete after this date cannot be considered for this program.
Complete credentials to support the application include the following:
- Official secondary school record showing grades received for all courses completed starting with ninth grade
- Class rank at the end of your junior year (exact rank is preferable)
- Schedule of senior courses