Smeal Direct FAQ
The Smeal College of Business is introducing Smeal Direct, a new initiative effective for students admitted beginning in Summer/Fall 2026.
To support students during this transition, Smeal has created a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) to address specific questions that may go beyond content on the main Smeal Direct webpage.
Smeal Direct FAQs
Q: How does a prospective student apply for Smeal?
A: Prospective Smeal first-year students must select a Smeal major (Accounting, Actuarial Science, Corporate Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management, Business Analytics & Information Systems, Marketing, Real Estate, Risk Management, Supply Chain & Information Systems, or Business, B.S.) when applying to Penn State, indicating their intention to complete their studies at the University Park campus by designating University Park campus as the graduating campus. Students can start at University Park or at any Commonwealth Campus.
Q: Is there a path for students not directly admitted into Smeal?
A: Yes, through the Smeal Second-Year Entry process, but entry is competitive, limited, and subject to space availability. Prospective Smeal students are encouraged to apply directly to Smeal to maximize the opportunity to secure a business major.
Q: What is Smeal Second-Year Entry?
A: It’s a competitive application process for students from other Penn State colleges and campuses, including DUS, to enter Smeal. Criteria include academic achievement and other considerations. The criteria will be shared with interested students beginning in Summer/Fall 2026. Students apply for Smeal Second-Year Entry in the Spring semester of their first year. If selected, they will apply for a Smeal major during the spring of their second year. Smeal Second-Year Entry students are not guaranteed their first-choice major.
Q: When do students apply for and enter their major?
A: Typically, students apply in the spring of their second year and begin their major in the fall of their third year.
Q: What if a student is unsure of what they want to study at Penn State?
A: The Division of Undergraduate Studies is committed to student exploration, engagement, and academic success. It serves students who are exploring various degrees through exceptional academic advising, thoughtful guidance on institutional policies, and a strong dedication to the scholarship of advising. Students interested in studying business within Smeal are encouraged to apply via Smeal Direct upon application to the University, even if they are still undecided about their specific business major. Students admitted to Smeal will spend their first two years in the college completing entrance to major courses and having opportunities for major exploration. Students looking to move from DUS to Smeal, like those from all other colleges and campuses, must apply through the highly competitive Smeal Second Year-Entry process.
Q: Can a student who placed into MATH 21 apply for Smeal Second-Year Entry, if MATH 110 must be completed by the end of the first year?
A: Completion of MATH 110 by the end of the first year is required to ensure students are prepared for the quantitative rigor of Smeal’s upper-division curriculum and can progress on a realistic academic timeline. Faculty view this milestone as a meaningful indicator of readiness for advanced business coursework. At this time, there is no flexibility built into the requirement, which creates challenges for students who begin in MATH 21. Those students are generally unable to reach MATH 110 within one year without taking on an unusually heavy or unrealistic course load. Pushing MATH 110 into the second year would also add pressure to an already demanding academic schedule, potentially affecting student success.
If you have additional questions not addressed here, please email smealadvising@smeal.psu.edu.
If you have additional questions regarding applying to Penn State University overall, please contact admissions@psu.edu.