After Applying

Check Your Status Page

After submitting your application, visit the status page of your application to:

• Update your references or reference contact information
• Check to see if your references have been received by the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School
• Update your email address
• Upload additional materials if required by your intended program of study
• View deadlines for official transcripts
• Check to see if your official transcripts have been received by the Fox Graduate School
• See if official test scores have been received by the Fox Graduate School
• Accept or decline an offer of admission from your intended program of study

Program Review and Decision

After your application is submitted, your program of study will review application materials and make a decision. Please contact your intended program of study for specifics on timing of a decision. For contact information, search for your program in the Graduate Bulletin.

Communication of Admission Offer

After the program review takes place, you will be emailed about your decision. If you are offered admission, you will need to accept or decline on your status page. That email will also include information specific to your application, such as deadlines, provisions, or assistantships.

Submit Required Documents Upon Acceptance

If you receive an admission offer, congratulations!

You are required to have your final official transcripts sent directly to Penn State from all institutions you attended. If you are currently enrolled and will be completing the program, it is important to wait until after your degree has been conferred to request that these documents be sent, so that they indicate you received a degree. On your application status page, you can find deadlines for when the Fox Graduate School needs to receive these documents, and directions on where to have them sent.

View required documents

“One of the main reasons I chose Penn State for graduate school was the exceptional network of professors and expertise available. The professors in my academic committee are not only renowned experts, but they have served as positive role models for balancing academia with a healthy lifestyle and work relationships, which was a priority for me coming into my program. Additionally, as a land-grant university and esteemed institution in agriculture, I knew Penn State would provide access to resources essential for my growth as an agricultural scientific expert.”

— Sarah Richards
Doctoral student in Ecology, College of Agricultural Sciences