Pennsylvania State University

Date: Feb 28 2007
Major: Political Science (This Major's Salary over time)
I applied to Penn State as my “safety school.” After being accepted to Villanova, St. Joseph’s and Carnegie Mellon I settled on Penn State because I did not want to be a gazillion dollars in debt upon graduation. Though that ended up not working out as well as I had planned since Penn State offers very few students any significant amount of financial assistance (even if you are academically talented) and raises tuition every year without fail for no particular reason at all. If you’re trying to devise a college budget you must account for tuition hikes because they will happen consistently.

If you are in the top of your graduating class and plan on going here I strongly recommend that you apply to the Schreyer’s Honors College. This is the only way you will be challenged academically and the best way to meet other students who believe that the primary reason to attend college is to learn. If you have a passion for learning, like to work hard, want to feel that you have earned your grades, and view academic success as a priority be warned that you will be in the minority at this school.

Concerning academics, the professors are for the most part very well-versed in their particular subjects and express an enthusiasm for the material they teach. If you are the type of student who needs individual attention and likes to ask questions during a class and have it answered immediately you will not find that here, at least not in any general education classes. That is not to say that professors will not answer questions or work with you one-on-one. Most will gladly schedule a meeting time with you (though it may take a while) but you have to very proactive about making it happen. That is one thing you will learn very quickly here, if you don’t ask or do things for yourself you will be left out in the cold. Do not expect to be guided along or have anyone offer to help you - this is a do-it-yourself school. Also be aware that your general education classes will likely have 300 to upwards of 600 students.

As far as resources are concerned, Penn State offers a very diverse array of clubs, activities, and intramurals. There are also plenty of free concerts, seminars, and other entertainment-oriented events all the time so you should. Whatever your interests or hobbies are you will have no trouble finding other people who share them. Since it’s very easy to get lost in the sea of faces I recommend getting involved in clubs and activities early. The library is first rate, as good as any Ivy League library, and you will be able to find everything you could ever possibly want to know about whatever it is you are researching. This campus is all about up-to-date technology (just a reminder you will pay for this) so if that’s important to you Penn State will not disappoint. Although the IT help desk staff are not always the friendliest or most helpful. The career fairs are a great way to network and get internships and interviews. Due to the abundant number of Penn State Alumni in the workforce you will find a fellow Penn Stater in every field and industry imaginable, which is very advantageous after graduation.

Socially, if you are not a hard-core drinker or serious partier be warned that you will take a beating for this. Since almost everything in State College centers around drinking and partying every night of the week and all weekend your social prospects will be limited if you’re not into that whole scene. You have to be willing to put up with hoards of raucous drunken fools who only come to college for the alcohol. If you are female a word of advice for your own safety: you may want to consider other schools. This is by no means a female friendly campus. Things have happened to female students here that are atrocious so if you do come here please make an effort to look out for yourself.

Diversity is close to non-existent here. If you are a minority, as I am, know that you will be surrounded by a lot of closed-minded, prejudice, ignorant people. The campus does try to encourage unity and appreciation of cultural and ethnic diversity but for the most part everybody sticks to their own racial/ethnic groups. Basically if you want to be around open-minded, cultured, well-educated people go to a different school.

Overall, Penn State is not a good choice if you an in-state student looking to save money and get a decent education. Realize though, that you have to accept the reality that this school is a monolith so you will be treated like a number in the herd. Sugar coating aside, if you are an independent, go-getter, do-it-yourself kind of person or if you are someone who likes to go to a different party every night you will probably have a good Penn State experience (yes, it is an experience that you will never forget - good or bad). If your goal is to become part of learning community where students are treated as individuals and have a passion for knowledge Penn State is probably not the best choice for you.