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

“The support at Penn State is phenomenal not only within research, but also in places most students do not realize they need. Because of the vast resources at a large university like Penn State, we have experts working in dedicated centers that are available to students, faculty, and staff. Penn State is also a place where graduate students can grow personally as well. I have been lucky enough to find time to continue my hobbies from my younger years, such as run on the club cross country team and play slow pitch co-ed softball. Additionally, I found new hobbies where I was able to join the local community to learn from others! These experiences have helped me keep a work-life balance, and I always seem to be doing something I enjoy.”

— Morgan Vincent
Doctoral Candidate in Chemistry, Eberly College of Science