Smeal Direct FAQ

The Smeal College of Business is introducing Smeal Direct, a new initiative effective for students admitted beginning in Summer/Fall 2026. Under Smeal Direct, students admitted to Smeal upon admittance to Penn State will enjoy guaranteed placement into a Smeal major, as long as they make appropriate academic progress. They will also have immediate access to Smeal resources and be integrated into the Smeal community from day one.

During the spring semester of their second year, students will apply for entrance into specific Smeal majors. Admission to majors will continue to be based on administrative controls, including coursework and minimum GPA requirements. Smeal Direct students who meet these requirements for their preferred major are guaranteed admittance. Smeal Direct students who maintain appropriate academic progress but do not meet requirements for their preferred major are still guaranteed a Smeal major. They will rank their preferred majors and will be admitted to the major for which they qualify based on these entry requirements. 

A limited opportunity, called Smeal Second-Year Entry, will exist for students from other colleges and campuses at Penn State, including the Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), to apply to Smeal at the end of their first year, subject to availability and through a competitive process. Smeal Second-Year Entry students are guaranteed a Smeal major, but are not guaranteed their first-choice major. 

To support prospective students, their families and the entire Penn State community during this transition, Smeal has created this list of frequently asked questions (FAQ), which will be updated as new questions and information emerge. Community members are encouraged to use this page for reference and submit additional questions via the provided link at the bottom of the FAQ page.

 

Smeal Direct FAQs

 

Q: How is the new Smeal Direct admissions process different from the previous one?

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, but admittance to Smeal via Smeal Direct upon admittance to Penn State is the only guaranteed path to a Smeal major (assuming appropriate academic progress).

 

Q: How does a prospective student apply for Smeal Direct?

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: How will the student experience differ under Smeal Direct?

A: Students admitted through Smeal Direct at University Park and at all Commonwealth campuses immediately join the Smeal community, gaining early access to Smeal resources, support services, and peer networks. 

 

Q: When does Smeal Direct take effect?

A: It applies to students admitted for Summer/Fall 2026 and onward.

 

Q: Why is Smeal adopting Smeal Direct?

A: Smeal Direct allows immediate integration into the Smeal community, earlier access to support and opportunities, stronger cohort connections, and improved resource planning and management. Earlier engagement with the Smeal community will also enhance student wellness, reducing stress and uncertainty. 

 

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: Are students guaranteed their first-choice major?

A: All students admitted to Smeal are guaranteed a Smeal major if they maintain appropriate academic progress. Students admitted via Smeal Direct who meet GPA and coursework requirements for their first-choice major are guaranteed their first-choice major. Students admitted via Smeal Second-Year Entry are also guaranteed a Smeal major, but are not guaranteed their first-choice major. 

 

Q: How does major selection work?

A: Major entry decisions are based on academic criteria, including GPA. Students who meet the academic criteria for their preferred major are guaranteed entry. All Smeal Direct students who maintain appropriate academic progress are guaranteed a Smeal major, but are not guaranteed their first-choice major. Students who do not get their guaranteed first-choice major apply for specific majors in the spring of their second year, ranking their preferences. 

 

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: Does the major a student selects on their application influence their chance of admission via Smeal Direct?
A: No. All students who apply to Smeal via Smeal Direct by selecting any Smeal major or Business B.S. and indicating intention to complete their studies at the University Park campus by designating University Park campus as the graduating campus will have an equal chance of admission regardless of which Smeal major was selected on their application.

 

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: Are there options to study business at Smeal for students not admitted via Smeal Direct??

A: Yes. Students not admitted via Smeal Direct may pursue the Smeal College Business Fundamentals Certificate. Core courses are framed around an integrated approach to management, finance, global operations product development and promotion, and legal aspects of business. The certificate does not confer or replace a degree, but is noted on student transcripts.

 

Q: Can students admitted to Smeal begin their studies at a Commonwealth campus?

A: Yes. Students admitted via Smeal Direct can begin at a Commonwealth campus and transition to University Park at the start of their third year.

 

Q: When do Commonwealth campus students admitted through Smeal Direct transition to University Park?

A: At the beginning of their third year.

 

Q: Can a student who has already applied to Penn State change their application to Smeal and be considered for Smeal Direct?

A: Students wishing to change an existing application from a non-business major to Smeal Direct should email admissions@psu.edu prior to receiving an admissions decision to request this change.

 

Q: How are admission decisions made for Smeal Direct?

A: Smeal Direct admissions decisions, like all Penn State undergraduate admissions decisions, are made by the Penn State Office of Undergraduate Admissions following the application review process. Smeal does not make undergraduate admissions decisions.

 

Q: Are students not admitted to Smeal via Smeal Direct denied admission to Penn State?

A: Students not admitted to Smeal via Smeal Direct may be eligible to apply for reconsideration to another program or campus via their MyPennState account. Students may contact the Penn State Undergraduate Admissions Office at admissions@psu.edu with questions about the process.

 

Q: Can a student still be accepted at University Park for another major if not admitted to Smeal via Smeal Direct?

A: Students not admitted to Smeal via Smeal Direct may be eligible to apply for reconsideration to another program via their MyPennState account. Students may contact the Penn State Undergraduate Admissions Office at admissions@psu.edu with questions about the process.

 

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.