In This Section
Academics and Advising
- Get Into a Smeal Major
- Degree Requirements
- First-Year Experience
- Academic Advising Resources
- Honors and Leadership
- Diversity at Smeal
Smeal Direct
Beginning summer 2026, students admitted to the Smeal College of Business are guaranteed placement in a Smeal major, provided they complete required coursework and meet cumulative GPA requirements. Students must be enrolled in Smeal to pursue a Smeal major.
A limited alternative pathway, , is available for current Penn State students from other colleges and campuses, including the Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), subject to space and competitive review. Applications for Smeal Second-Year Entry must be submitted in the spring semester of a student's first year.
How to Apply
The application process and admissions structure for Smeal remain unchanged. All applications to Penn State are handled through the Undergraduate Admissions Office. For more information, visit the Undergraduate Admissions Office or contact them through email.
To apply to Smeal Direct:
Apply to Penn State through the Common App or the Penn State application.
Select one of Smeal's 10 majors—or Business, B.S.—as your intended major.
Select University Park as your graduating campus.
Smeal's ten majors: Accounting, Actuarial Science, Business Analytics & Information Systems, Corporate Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management, Marketing, Real Estate, Risk Management, Supply Chain & Information Systems
Your first two years: All first-year students accepted through Smeal Direct begin as Business Administration Pre-Majors (BA_PMAJ), regardless of the intended major selected on the application. Students will apply for their specific major during the spring semester of their second year.
Entering Your Major
Smeal Direct students can enter their first-choice major if they meet both the required (ETM) coursework and the required cumulative GPA by the entrance-to-major deadline.
Smeal Direct students who have completed required coursework and hold a cumulative GPA of 2.60 or higher, but do not meet the major-specific GPA threshold, are still guaranteed a Smeal major and are assigned based on preferences, GPA, and space availability.
Students admitted through Smeal Second-Year Entry who have completed required coursework and hold a cumulative GPA of 2.60 or higher are assigned after all Smeal Direct students, based on preferences, GPA, and space availability.
View our to learn more about GPA thresholds and the Major Assignment Process.
Begin at a Commonwealth Campus
Starting at one of Penn State's 12 Commonwealth Campuses is a great option for many students beginning in Smeal. Through the 2+2 program, students can start at a campus and then transition to University Park for the final two years. Students in the 2+2 program are still Smeal students and still guaranteed a Smeal major, provided they stay on track academically.
NOTE: Penn State’s World Campus is not in the 2+2 program.
Information Sessions for Prospective Students
Prospective first-year students interested in learning more about Smeal are encouraged to attend a Prospective Student Information Session, available virtually and in person.