How Penn State University weighs each factor in first-time, first-year admission decisions. Source: Section C7 of the official Common Data Set, verified by MyAdmitFit.
The following factors are rated Very Important — the highest possible rating in the CDS: Academic GPA. Focus your application strategy here first.
| Factor | Importance |
|---|---|
| Rigor of secondary school record | Important |
| Class rank | Not Considered |
| Academic GPA | Very Important |
| Standardized test scores | Considered |
| Application essay | Not Considered |
| Recommendation(s) | Not Considered |
| Factor | Importance |
|---|---|
| Interview | Not Considered |
| Extracurricular activities | Not Considered |
| Talent/ability | Considered |
| Character/personal qualities | Not Considered |
| First generation | Not Considered |
| Alumni/ae relation | Not Considered |
| Geographical residence | Considered |
| State residency | Considered |
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Not Considered |
| Volunteer work | Not Considered |
| Work experience | Not Considered |
| Level of applicant's interest | Not Considered |
Data sourced from Penn State University’s official Common Data Set. Ratings reflect the most current available CDS filing (2024–2025 academic year). CDS is published annually by each institution. MyAdmitFit verifies all entries directly from the institution’s published document. — Visit Penn State University Admissions Office →
Answer 10 questions and get a personalized Reach, Target, and Safety list matched against Penn State University’s published admissions priorities.
Build My College List — $39One-time · No account · Instant results
We build personalized Reach, Target & Safety college lists using verified CDS data — matched to your GPA, major, and budget. $39 one-time, no account required, results in 3 minutes.