How to Apply to Mathematics at Penn State: B.A. and B.S. Degrees in the Eberly College of Science, B.S. Options, and Entrance to Major Based on a 2.00 GPA and C or Better in MATH 140 and 141, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

At Penn State, undergraduate mathematics is offered by the Department of Mathematics in the Eberly College of Science, with the degree programs at University Park. Here is what you need to know to apply, based on Penn State’s admissions website, Undergraduate Bulletin and the Department of Mathematics website, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Computer science, data sciences and other majors are not covered here; computer science has its own guide on this site.

1. Degrees and options

• Two degrees: the Bulletin says mathematics is offered as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.). Both have a common core of mathematics courses and prepare students for graduate work in mathematics. The B.A. is oriented toward applications of mathematics in the arts and humanities; the B.S. has a number of options.
• B.S. options: the Bulletin lists actuarial mathematics, applied and industrial mathematics, computational mathematics, general mathematics, graduate study, mathematical foundations of machine learning and AI, and systems analysis. The department’s web page says “six options”, which does not match the seven listed in the Bulletin; follow the current Bulletin. Students should select an option with a faculty adviser by the end of the sophomore year.
• Credits: the B.S. requires at least 120 credits, of which 79 to 84 are for the major. The B.A. requires at least 120 credits, of which 53 to 59 are for the major, plus 24 credits of B.A. degree requirements, including proficiency in a world language to the 12th-credit level (shown by examination or coursework) and 9 credits of B.A. Fields.
• Sample core courses: MATH 140 and 141 (calculus), MATH 220 (matrices), MATH 230 (calculus and vector analysis), MATH 311W (concepts of discrete mathematics), MATH 312 (concepts of real analysis), MATH 414 and 415 (probability and mathematical statistics), and for the B.S. also STAT 200 and a programming course. Most require a C or better.
• Combined degrees: the Bulletin lists integrated B.S. in Mathematics programs with an M.A.S. in Applied Statistics and with an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction; their requirements are in the Graduate Bulletin. Statistics (B.S.) is a separate major in the college and is not covered here.

2. Admission: university first, then Entrance to Major

• When you apply: list your entry term, intended major, first-choice campus and alternate campus; you can also apply as undecided through the Division of Undergraduate Studies. The Bulletin shows the begin campus as any Penn State campus and the end campus as University Park.
• Entrance to Major: the Bulletin says that to be eligible for the Mathematics major a student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 and have completed MATH 140 and MATH 141 with a C or better in each. The B.A. and B.S. have the same condition.
• Enrollment limits and timing: the pages read for this guide do not say whether the mathematics major limits enrollment or in which semester students declare; this is not published on those pages, so ask the Undergraduate Mathematics Office (the Bulletin lists undergrad@math.psu.edu).
• Internal transfer: the same Entrance to Major conditions apply; the pages read give no further procedure.

3. Prerequisites

• High school courses: the first-year requirements page lists the Eberly College of Science at University Park in one row of its chart and says some colleges and majors require additional high school math, and that statistics does not meet that requirement; it also asks for two units of one world language, which can be made up before graduating. The unit counts are in the chart, which could not be read for this guide, so which tier applies to mathematics is not confirmed; check the original page or ask admissions.
• Math placement: besides the usual plan starting at MATH 140, the Bulletin’s suggested academic plans include versions labelled “ALEKS Placement in MATH 21”, where the first year starts with MATH 21 and MATH 41 before MATH 140. The placement rules themselves are not on the pages read; ask the department.
• AP/IB credit: the pages read do not say how AP or IB credit applies to MATH 140 and 141; this is not published there, so check Penn State’s transfer credit tool or ask the department.
• Honors: the department’s page says Schreyer Honors College students majoring in mathematics complete an honors thesis and eight 300- or 400-level MATH credits with a B or better in each, with an average of at least 3.40 over the three best grades; the department also regularly offers honors sections of 100- and 200-level courses. The Schreyer Honors College needs its own application in addition to Penn State’s, with earlier dates.

4. Deadlines and materials

• Deadline: first-year applicants have one main deadline, Early Action on 1 November. After that, review is rolling and becomes more competitive, especially at University Park. The page shows no year, so check that it applies to fall 2027 entry. The page says many campuses other than University Park accept applications through spring and summer; the fall application closes on 28 July.
• How to apply: MyPennState or the Common App. Common App applicants still complete the STARS record in MyPennState; Penn State does not accept the high school record in the Common App.
• Application fee: $65 domestic, $75 international; approved fee waivers skip payment.
• Essays: the personal statement and activities section are optional; Common App applicants’ Common App essay is accepted as the personal statement.
• Recommendations: not required for admission and not used in review, though some specific programs require them. Whether the mathematics major wants a math teacher’s letter is not stated on the pages read.
• Testing: optional. Penn State uses the highest combined score from a single test date, does not superscore, and does not require or accept the optional Science section of the Enhanced ACT.
• Math competitions: the pages read do not say how competitions are viewed.

5. US domestic applicants

• In-state and out-of-state tuition: Penn State is state-related, and tuition varies by campus, program, level and residency, set each July by the Board of Trustees. Generally you must live in Pennsylvania for non-academic reasons for a year before enrolling to count as a resident. Amounts are in the university’s tuition calculator and could not be read for this guide.
• Aid: Penn State recommends that all admitted students submit the FAFSA.
• Scholarships: the Provost Academic Award is for first-year non-residents of Pennsylvania starting a baccalaureate degree at University Park in the fall after high school; the Commonwealth Award is for Pennsylvania residents starting at other campuses; the Discover Award is for domestic non-residents starting at other campuses. Colleges and departments have further awards, some with separate applications.
• Residency preference or guaranteed admission: not stated on the pages read.

6. International applicants

• English: Duolingo minimum 120; TOEFL 4.5 for tests after 21 January 2026 (new scale) or 80 before; IELTS Academic 6.5. Other routes include SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 570, ACT English 24, IB English A score of 5, and GCSE/GCE English A to C. Scores must be under two years old. US citizens and permanent residents do not need to prove English.
• Academic record: international first-year applicants complete the STARS self-reported record of all courses and grades from the last three years (South Korean system students submit official records instead). Documents not in English need a certified line-by-line translation.
• Deadlines: generally the same as for domestic students; because of visa processing there are final deadlines for international students, which could not be read for this guide, so check the international deadlines page.
• Proof of funds: the pages read this time do not give the funds requirement; check Penn State’s international costs and aid information.
• Scholarships: the Provost Academic Award refers to non-residents of Pennsylvania; whether international students qualify is not stated, so ask the Office of Student Aid.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the China credentials page does not say how Gaokao results are used; ask international admissions.
• After admission: for grade verification, submit the transcript book (cheng ji dan) for junior year 3 and senior years 1 to 3 (dual-language is accepted, but a Chinese-only copy is strongly recommended as well) and the high school diploma with an English translation.
• A-Levels: if you took GCSE/GCE exams, submit final certificates from all attempts; the page asks for seven strong passes including math, language, science, social science and humanities.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Tuition: see section 5; use the university’s tuition page and calculator for amounts. International students have a separate costs and aid page.
• Department awards and undergraduate research: the pages read do not list department-specific scholarships; the department’s website has an undergraduate research section that was not read for this guide.
• Outcomes: the Bulletin says graduates of the undergraduate mathematics program often continue to master’s or PhD programs in mathematics or related fields such as statistics, economics, finance, computer science or operations research.

9. Transfer students

• Who counts: students who have attempted 18 or more college credits after high school.
• General rules: University Park four-year programs need a 2.5 GPA (2.0 at other campuses), and prerequisites need a C or better. Transferring straight to University Park requires four full-time semesters; with fewer, start at another campus.
• Mathematics: not every major takes transfer students; each major’s requirements are in the majors list, and the mathematics-specific transfer course requirements (such as calculus and linear algebra) were not checked here. Entrance to the major still needs MATH 140 and 141 with a C or better. International transfer students do not complete STARS and submit official high school and college transcripts.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• Apply by 1 November with mathematics as your intended major (or apply undecided)
• Submit the FAFSA; non-residents starting at University Park are considered for the Provost Academic Award

International applicants (including China):

• Complete STARS; prepare IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 4.5 (new scale) or Duolingo 120
• Applicants from China submit the junior 3 to senior 3 transcript book and diploma after admission; ask international admissions how the Gaokao is used

After entry:

• Pass MATH 140 and 141 with a C or better and hold a 2.00 cumulative GPA to enter the major; choose a B.S. option by the end of the sophomore year

Transfer students:

• University Park needs four full-time semesters and a 2.5 GPA; check the mathematics major’s transfer requirements in the majors list

Sources: Penn State, Undergraduate Bulletin: Eberly College of Science; Mathematics, B.S.; Mathematics, B.A.; Department of Mathematics: majors; Department of Mathematics: honors; First-year steps to apply; First-year deadlines; First-year requirements; International requirements; International deadlines; Credentials: China; Transfer eligibility; Tuition and costs. Check that any date shown without a year applies to fall 2027 entry; Penn State’s website has the latest.