How to Apply to Life Sciences and Pre-Health Study at Penn State: Admission by Campus Rather Than Major, Entering the Major on Grades, Biology, Biochemistry, Neurobiology and a Premedicine Major in Eberly, a Seven-Year BS/MD, Direct-Admit Nursing, and the Path for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Penn State (“PSU”) has its main campus at University Park and several Commonwealth campuses. Life-science and health-related majors sit in several colleges: the Eberly College of Science (Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Neurobiology, Premedicine and more), the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, the College of Health and Human Development (Public Health, Nutrition, Kinesiology and others) and the College of Agricultural Sciences. This guide uses Penn State’s admissions site and its own Undergraduate Bulletin (bulletins.psu.edu) for fall 2027 entry, with sections for U.S. applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, then transfer students. Two limits: the admissions site’s high school unit chart, deadline tables and middle-50% tables load dynamically and we did not read them, and tuition.psu.edu returned 403 earlier, so we did not use it. For those items please check the official site.

1. Relevant undergraduate programs

• Eberly College of Science (the Bulletin says it offers sixteen BS majors). Life-science related: Biology (BS), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BS, with a Biochemistry Option), Biotechnology (BS), Microbiology (BS), Neurobiology (BS), Forensic Science (BS), Premedicine (BS), Premedical-Medical (BS, the BS/MD with Jefferson) and Integrative Science (BS).
• Premedicine is a Penn State undergraduate major. That differs from the usual statement that the United States has no pre-med major, but it is what Penn State’s Bulletin says. It is a four-year BS (minimum 120 credits). Eberly says it does not replace the seven-year program, and that its premedical advisers also advise students of any major who want to apply to medical schools and health professions. There is also a five-year integrated BS in Premedicine and Master of Public Health.
• College of Nursing: the BSN has three options: General Nursing (direct admission for first-year students), Second Degree and RN-to-BSN.
• Health and Human Development: Biobehavioral Health, Kinesiology, Nutritional Sciences, Public Health, Systems Neuroscience, Communication Sciences and Disorders (all BS).
• Agricultural Sciences: Animal Science, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Food Science and others (BS).
• Biomedical engineering and other engineering programs are only mentioned here. Whether these programs are STEM-designated is not stated on the pages we read.
• Campuses: the Bulletin lists Biology, Premedicine and other majors as beginning at any Penn State campus and ending at University Park; the Premedical-Medical program is University Park only. The Bulletin also says seven campuses (DuBois, Fayette, New Kensington, Mont Alto, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre and York) are scheduled to close after spring 2027 and are not admitting new students.

2. Admission: reviewed by campus, major entered later on grades

• Penn State says it typically reviews applications for admissibility to the chosen campus rather than a particular program (except a few, like Nursing or many Arts and Architecture programs), so changing the major on your application typically does not change the decision. Math and science programs get a closer look at math performance; Nursing and Architecture are more competitive because of enrollment limits.
• First-year applicants name a first-choice campus and an alternate campus; the “2+2 Plan” lets you start at one campus and finish at another.
• Applicants to University Park for fall can check a box for summer-session start; Penn State says this improves the chance of admission, but the summer start is mandatory if offered.
• Entrance to Major (Bulletin):
  • Biology: 2.00 cumulative GPA; BIOL 110 (or 114 with 115/116), CHEM 110 and MATH 140, each with C or better; plus one of BIOL 220W, 230W or 240W with C or better.
  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: 2.00 GPA; CHEM 110, 111, 112 and MATH 140 with C or better.
  • Neurobiology: 2.00 GPA; BIOL 110, BIOL 230W, CHEM 110 and MATH 140 with C or better.
  • Microbiology: 2.00 GPA; CHEM 110, 111, 112 and MATH 140 with C or better.
  • Premedicine: 3.20 cumulative GPA; BIOL 110, BIOL 230W, CHEM 110/111/112/113, CHEM 210, MATH 140 and MATH 141, each C or better. The Bulletin adds a “three-year alternative”: 96 credits plus the first year of an accredited medical or dental program.
  • Public Health, Biobehavioral Health, Kinesiology, Systems Neuroscience: C (2.00) cumulative GPA and at least third-semester classification. The Nutrition and Dietetics option of Nutritional Sciences also needs C or better in NUTR 251, BIOL 161–164 and CHEM 110 or 130.
  • Eberly pre-major status: for current students, the Bulletin requires a 2.00 GPA and MATH 140 with C or better.
• Nursing (BSN, General Nursing option): the Bulletin says first-year students are admitted directly to the major at seven campuses (University Park, Altoona, Erie, Fayette, Mont Alto, Schuylkill, Scranton) for summer or fall, and must stay at that campus for four years. Non-nursing students cannot transfer or change into the four-year program at University Park, but can apply through a competitive Entrance to Major Review at the other six campuses. University Park students spend one full academic year at Penn State Hershey Medical Center and must be 18 by September of the second year to join clinical experiences.
• Whether these programs cap places for international students is not stated on the pages we read.

3. Pre-med: what Penn State says

• Premedicine major: the Bulletin says it gives a foundation in chemistry, biochemistry, physics and biology plus breadth in ethics and social science, with a life-science focus and room for supporting courses to meet a particular medical school’s requirements. Required courses include HPA 101, PSYCH 100, SOC 1, BIOL 110, BIOL 230W, CHEM 110–113, organic chemistry (CHEM 210/212/213), MATH 140/141, NUTR 251, statistics and physics (PHYS 211–214 or 250/251); plus a healthcare internship or research project course (SC 294 or 494) and one course on medical ethics, health communication or death and dying.
• Eberly premedical advising is open to students of any major; Premedicine is not required.
• Premedical-Medical (PMM, BS/MD): a cooperative program with the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, giving a BS and MD in seven years: three years at University Park (no required summers), then four at Jefferson. The site says international students are welcome to apply; about 25 students enter each year, there is no waiting list, and you cannot transfer in.
  • Testing is required: at least SAT 1470 or ACT 32 for initial review; previous admits averaged SAT 1570 or ACT 36; scores must be from a single test date.
  • High school units: four English, two algebra, one plane geometry, one-half trigonometry (or higher math), three science, three social studies/humanities/arts; students who have already graduated high school are ineligible.
  • Materials: a one-page résumé, answers to Jefferson’s questions, the STARS record and the fee; letters of recommendation are not used. The major name on the application is Accelerated Premedical Medical.
  • Timing: complete credentials for fall 2027 were due 13 October 2026, and the page already says the application is closed; interviews are in January and offers in mid-February. The Bulletin says students must earn a science/math GPA of at least 3.5 every semester.
• Pre-med guidance specifically for international students, and any limits on international applicants to U.S. medical schools: not stated on the pages we read; contact Eberly’s science advising center.

4. High school preparation

• Penn State sorts minimum high school requirements into “Category 1” (University Park’s Smeal College of Business, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Engineering, Information Sciences and Technology and the Eberly College of Science, plus science, engineering, IT and some business programs at other campuses) and “Category 2” (all other four-year majors). Some colleges and majors need extra high school math, and statistics does not count. The unit chart itself loads dynamically and we did not read it; not stated on the pages we read; see “Admissions Requirements for First-Year Students”.
• World language: two units of one language other than English; you may be admitted with fewer but must make up the deficiency before graduating (a three- or four-credit college course, transfer credit, or proof of equivalent proficiency).
• The international review page says reviewers look for successful completion of courses or exams in mathematics, physical science, social science and language in all years of high school.
• AP / IB / A-Level: credit is possible; the exact course credit is in Penn State’s searchable lists, which we did not read. IB credit is considered only for Higher Level exams scored 5 or above; A-Level and AS need a C or above. Credit does not affect GPA. Penn State warns that tuition increases once the transcript reaches 59.1 credits, including AP, IB and transfer credit.
• First two years: entrance requirements for Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Neurobiology revolve around BIOL 110, BIOL 230W, CHEM 110–113 and MATH 140 (see section 2); Biology also requires physics (PHYS 211–214 or 250/251, 8–12 credits).

5. Rounds, deadlines and materials

• Early Action: 1 November 2026. Penn State says this is its one big deadline; after it, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and options become more competitive, especially at University Park. Some programs have other deadlines.
• Late applications: most campuses other than University Park accept applications through spring and summer; the fall application closes 28 July. Spring entry is limited at University Park and some programs do not admit in spring. We did not read the date tables.
• Platforms: MyPennState or the Common App. Common App applicants also complete the STARS record in MyPennState (self-reported high school courses and grades); Penn State does not accept the high school record in the Common App.
• Application fee: $65 domestic, $75 international; fee waivers exist.
• Testing: optional. If you submit, you self-report SAT or ACT; Penn State uses the highest combined score from a single test date and does not superscore; the ACT science section is neither required nor accepted. Official scores are sent after you decide to enroll.
• Recommendations: not required for admission and not used in review (some programs require them). The activities list and personal statement are optional; Common App applicants’ main essay is accepted as the statement.
• Review: the academic record (courses, grades and level in grades 9–11) matters most, plus test scores if provided. There is no minimum GPA or test score; Penn State points to the previous class’s middle 50%.
• Admitted students have until 1 May to accept. Rules for particular colleges’ seat counts: not stated on the pages we read.

6. U.S. applicants

• Tuition: Penn State calls itself a state-affiliated institution and its rates differ for in-state and out-of-state students. The site says you generally need to live in Pennsylvania for non-academic reasons for a year before enrolling to count as a resident; rates also vary by campus, program and student level. Dollar figures are on tuition.psu.edu, which we did not use.
• Awards: through Undergraduate Admissions, the Provost Academic Award (non-Pennsylvania residents at University Park, fall right after high school), the Commonwealth Award (Pennsylvania residents at other campuses) and the Discover Award (domestic non-residents at other campuses). We did not read the amounts. The Office of Student Aid has others; file the FAFSA after admission.
• Honors: the Schreyer Honors College requires a separate application (essays, short answers, recommendations).
• Research and clinical experience: Eberly lists a Science Research Distinction certificate; the Premedicine major requires a healthcare internship or research project course. Placement numbers are not published.

7. International applicants

• Who counts: anyone who needs any type of visa to attend.
• Deadlines: generally the same as for domestic applicants of the same type: Early Action 1 November. Because of visa timing there are final application deadlines for first-year and transfer international students; the dates sit in dynamic tables we did not read.
• Materials: the online application; the STARS record (except applicants in the South Korean system, who send official transcripts); proof of English; after admission, secondary school records, exam results and certificates. Documents must be originals or copies certified by the school, examining board, ministry or consulate; non-English documents need a certified line-by-line English translation; notarized copies are not official.
• English (TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo scores must be under two years old): Duolingo 120; TOEFL iBT 4.5 on the new scale (80 before 21 January 2026); IELTS Academic 6.5; SAT EBRW 570; ACT English 24; GCSE/GCE English language A, B or C; IB English A score of 5+; four years in a U.S. high school; or certification through Penn State’s Intensive English Communication Program. TOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted.
• Proof of funds: after accepting an offer you certify resources for the first calendar year (including out-of-state tuition) and say how later years will be covered. Penn State Global says an I-20 needs first-year proof, a DS-2019 needs all years, and proof must be under six months old; the dollar estimates are in a dynamic page we did not read. Visa documents are sent only after the admission decision.
• Scholarships: the pages we read do not say whether international students can receive the Provost Award; the Discover Award is for “domestic” students. Need-based aid for international students is not stated; ask admissions.
• Agents: Penn State says it does not partner with agents or endorse them; contact Undergraduate Admissions (admissions@psu.edu).
• Limits on international students in Nursing or clinical placements: not stated on the pages we read.

8. Applicants from China

• Penn State has a country page, “International Credentials: China”. At application you enter the STARS record: every class and grade for the last three years plus classes in progress.
• After you are admitted and accept, send grade-verification documents: official copies of the transcript book (“cheng ji dan”) for junior year 3 and senior years 1, 2 and 3 (a dual-language copy is accepted and Penn State strongly recommends adding a Chinese-only copy), and the high school diploma with an English translation. If you took GCSE/GCE (AS or A-Level) exams, send final results certificates from all attempts, showing seven strong passes in academic courses including math, language, science, social science and humanities.
• Gaokao: that page does not mention how the Gaokao is used; not published, so ask admissions (admissions@psu.edu).
• Testing and English: testing is optional; see the previous section for English scores.
• Math and science: how Chinese courses map onto U.S. high school units is not stated.

9. Transfer

• Who counts: you have a high school diploma or GED and have completed or attempted 18 or more semester hours at a regionally accredited institution before enrolling; if you are in your first college semester you are a first-year applicant.
• Eligibility: four-year programs at University Park need a cumulative GPA of 2.5; four-year programs at other campuses 2.0; prerequisite courses 2.0 (C) or better. To transfer to University Park you need at least four semesters of full-time college coursework; otherwise start at another campus and transition later. Some programs require more; check the major’s transfer requirements.
• Applying: apply online in MyPennState; review is rolling and we did not read the date table. Every institution must send an official transcript directly; admitted students receive an Evaluation of Transferable Credits. International transfers submit secondary transcripts and do not complete a STARS record.
• Nursing: non-nursing students cannot transfer into the four-year program at University Park; the other six campuses use a competitive Entrance to Major Review.
• Entrance-to-major requirements for Biology, Biochemistry and others are in section 2; Penn State also has a dual-admissions program with Pennsylvania community colleges, which we did not read in detail.

Checklist

U.S. applicants:

• Choose a first-choice and alternate campus and a major; apply by 1 November; Common App applicants must also complete the STARS record in MyPennState
• Testing is optional and no recommendation letters are needed; for life-science majors plan BIOL 110, CHEM 110 and MATH 140 early, each with C or better

International applicants (including China):

• English reference points: Duolingo 120, TOEFL 4.5 (new scale), IELTS 6.5; originals or certified copies, with certified translations
• Chinese applicants send the transcript book and diploma (with English translation) after admission; confirm how the Gaokao is used; do not use agents

Transfer students:

• At least 18 semester hours; University Park needs a GPA of 2.5 and four full-time semesters; Nursing is not open to transfers at University Park

Sources: Penn State, Undergraduate Bulletin: Eberly College of Science; Biology BS; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BS; Neurobiology BS; Microbiology BS; Premedicine BS; Premedical-Medical BS (BS/MD); College of Nursing; Nursing BSN; College of Health and Human Development; Public Health BS; College of Agricultural Sciences; Eberly: PMM admission requirements; Eberly: Premedicine major; First-year applicants; First-year steps to apply; First-year admission requirements; First-year dates and deadlines; First-year application review; International admission requirements; International dates and deadlines; International steps to apply; International application review; International credentials: China; Financial guarantee (Penn State Global); Tuition and costs; Academic credit; AP credit; IB credit; A-Level credit; Transfer applicants; Transfer eligibility; Transfer steps to apply. Information is for fall 2027 entry (the Bulletin is the 2026-27 edition); check Penn State’s website for the latest.