The Penn State University main campus hosts the agricultural sciences as well as the information technology Schools of Excellence.
Participants are required to be Pennsylvania high school students who have just completed their sophomore or junior years.
The aim of PGSAS is to provide a sampling of many different branches of agricultural science and to encourage continuing studies in the discipline.
During their time at PGSAS, scholars also complete webpages to summarize their experiences, reflect on the program, and provide personal and academic information.
Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has proposed cutting fund for all the PGSEs, including PGSAS, from the 2009-2010 budget.