UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State’s admissions process and how best to navigate it will be discussed during the next episode of WPSU Penn State’s “Higher Education in Focus: Taking the Mystery out of Admissions” with Penn State President Eric J. Barron. The show will air at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, on WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM.

During the episode, Barron will welcome Clark Brigger, executive director of undergraduate admissions; Mitch Kirsch, associate dean for student affairs for Schreyer Honors College; and Bert McBrayer, associate director of admissions operations. The group will outline the various stages of the University’s admissions process, including rolling admission deadlines, post-application steps and applicant evaluation.

Penn State receives more than 60,000 first-year student applications, including more than 8,000 at University Park, each year. The first-year application evaluation is comprised of a student’s high school record (GPA and class rank), as well as additional factors such as standardized test scores, the personal statement and activities list. Applicants are evaluated on a modified rolling admissions schedule.

In late September, Penn State announced it joined a coalition, along with more than 80 public and private universities and colleges across the United States, with the goal of improving the college admission application process. The coalition will look to develop tools and processes that are intended to address many of the barriers that prevent students from attending college or successfully earning a degree.

“Higher Education in Focus” will discuss University-related topics each month during the academic year. During last month’s 30-minute episode, Barron and his panel discussed the arts at Penn State. For more information and to watch archived episodes, visit wpsu.org/infocus.