Download the Paterno Fellows brochure for prospective students

How to Participate

There is no application. Students simply decide to accept the Paterno Fellows challenge. To become an "Aspirant"--ie., a student who aspires to be a Paterno Fellow--register on the Paterno Fellows database, begin to complete the Fellows requirements, and participate in Paterno Fellows events.

The majority of Paterno Fellows begin as Aspirants. Liberal Arts students who decide to pursue the Paterno Fellows Program will be in Aspirant status until they satisfy entrance requirements as well as any requirements stipulated by their intended major department. The deadline for meeting these requirements is the end of the sophomore year. Therefore, Aspirants can expect to be admitted as Paterno Fellows and Schreyer Scholars during their junior and senior years. Students in majors that do not have additional requirements may be able to enter the Paterno Fellows Program and Schreyer Honors College after their first year if they achieve a 3.5 grade point average.

Students register as Paterno Fellows Aspirants during their New Student Orientation (NSO) session. Students will indicate a preferred major at that time. Although they may change their major later, this step assures that students are initially assigned to the most knowledgeable adviser. If Aspirants change their preferred major, they will be reassigned to an adviser in their new area of interest. If they decide to opt out of the program altogether, they simply notify the program assistant. There is no penalty for discontinuing, and nothing will show on the student’s record.

Aspire to Become a Fellow

Entrance Requirements

Aspirants may be admitted to the Paterno Fellows Program and Schreyer Honors College at one of three points:

After Two Semesters

• Completion of at least four honors courses during the first year at Penn State, including the Rhetoric and Civic Life (RCL) sequence ENGL/CAS 137H/138T, for a minimum of 12 honors credits
• Completion of any department requirements
• A second semester GPA no lower than a 3.4, and a cumulative GPA of 3.5

After Three Semesters

• Completion of 5 honors courses for a cumulative total of 15 honors credits, including ENGL/CAS 137H/138T
• Completion of any department requirements
• A third semester GPA no lower than a 3.4, and a cumulative GPA of 3.4

After Four Semesters

• Completion of 7 honors courses for a cumulative total of 21 honors credits, including ENGL/CAS 137H/138T
• Completion of any department requirements
• A fourth semester GPA no lower than a 3.4, and a cumulative GPA of 3.4

Aspirants who have two consecutive semester GPAs below a 3.4, regardless of their cumulative GPA, will not be admitted into the Paterno Fellows Program.

Department Requirements

Only the departments listed below have additional entrance requirements. All other departments follow the general PFP GPA and honors credit requirements.