Bachelor of Science in

Software Engineering

Application Instructions

Steps to Apply

1. 1. Review the admission requirements.

   To apply for this program, you must be a high school graduate or have completed your GED.

   This degree program includes Entrance-to-Major requirements (ETMs). After you are admitted to Penn State, you’ll complete them during your first few semesters to officially become a software engineering major. If you satisfy these requirements with transfer credits, you’ll be admitted directly into the major.

2. 2. Gather your required materials.

   You will need the following items to complete your application:

   High school transcripts or GED transcript — First-year applicants are required to submit Self-Reported Academic Records (SRAR) when applying. Official high school transcripts for first-year applicants will only be required at the time a student accepts an offer of admission to Penn State.

   Transfer international students will need to submit their high school transcript before their application can be reviewed.

   Official college or university transcripts and/or official military transcripts (if applicable) — All college or university transcripts are required regardless of the length of time that has passed, the grades earned, or the accreditation of the institutions attended. Acceptance of transfer credit toward your degree is subject to final approval by the academic department. For detailed information, see the Transfer Students page.

   Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

   English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Language Proficiency section on the Undergraduate Admissions International Requirements page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

3. 3. Create a Penn State login account.

   To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

   Create a New Penn State Account

   If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

   Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

4. 4. Read the application instructions.

   Accessing MyPennState

   The MyPennState Portal provides access to our online admissions services. Before accessing MyPennState, you must have a Penn State account that will be used to access all Penn State systems. After creating an account, you will receive a unique Penn State User ID. You will need to enter your User ID followed by @psu.edu when signing in to MyPennState and other Penn State sites. For example, you should be entering something like '[email protected]' in the Sign In field.

   The application consists of six sections:

   1. Application Setup
   2. Program of Study
   3. Citizenship and Residency
   4. Academics and Experience
   5. Miscellaneous
   6. Review and Submit

   Application Setup

   • Be sure to select "Online" for the "How would you like to complete your degree" question if you plan to attend Penn State World Campus.

   • The rest of this section will ask some basic questions about your education experience and military affiliation.

   Program of Study

   • You will choose the degree type and then the starting semester.

   • Your starting campus will be selected as Penn State World Campus by default as long as you picked "Online" in your Application Setup. Click Continue.

   • On the Choose a Program page, select your intended major from the list.

   • Review your selection on the summary screen and click Continue to move on to the Citizenship and Residency section.

   Citizenship and Residency

   • Complete the series of questions about your citizenship status, demographic information, Pennsylvania residency status, and family history.

   Academics and Experience

   • You will need to enter academic experience information about your high school and any attempted courses at a college or university after high school.

   • The Education Gap Statement offers a place to explain any time that has elapsed between your high school graduation and your anticipated enrollment at Penn State. Please provide a summary of why that gap occurred. Some examples that would explain a gap in your education include work, family, attending another college or university, etc.

   Miscellaneous

   • In the Miscellaneous section, you will provide any program-specific requirements (e.g., a personal statement), information about activities, and financial aid information.

   Review and Submit

   Review your information, digitally sign your application, and provide payment for the application fee ($65 domestic or $75 international).

   High School Transcripts and Academic Record

   • After your application is completed, you will also need to self-report your high school course work before the application deadline. You will be directed to fill out the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). It is helpful to have a high school transcript available when completing this section. In the third section, you'll select your program of study and campus.

   • Official high school transcripts or GED transcript, along with records from high school, are required, regardless of the length of time that has passed.

   • Include any college/university transcripts (required), military transcripts, and Proof of English Language proficiency (if applicable). SAT/ACT scores are not required if you are identified as an adult learner or transfer student.

   All official documents should be sent to: 

   Undergraduate Admissions Office
   The Pennsylvania State University
   201 Shields Building
   University Park, PA 16802

   You can also have your transcripts sent electronically through Parchment, eScript-Safe, or the National Clearinghouse directly to Penn State from the college/university where course work was attempted.

   Acceptance

   After receiving your application, application fee, and all required materials, your application will be evaluated for admission. You can check your application status online. This will provide the most up‐to‐date information about the status of your application and is updated once daily, before 8:00 a.m. (ET). Once a decision has been made regarding your application, it will be available to you through the MyPennState portal.

   For information on when you can expect an admissions decision, visit the Dates and Deadlines page of the Undergraduate Admissions website. Make sure you click the "+" sign to see these dates for World Campus Applicants (First-Year and Transfer).

5. 5. Complete the application.

   MyPennState Undergraduate Application (link leads to an external website)