Pennsylvania State University

This is a review coming from the perspective of a Schreyer Honors College Student.
Regarding Schreyer: If you think you at least have a SHOT at getting in, sit down, write the three essays, and apply. I really didn't think I would get in considering my GPA and SATs weren't crazy amazing, but it's the essays that get you in. Write amazing essays and you'll have a good chance. It's worth it.

I won't go on about the perks and requirements of Schreyer, because you can read those on the website. The perks are certainly nice, especially the scholarship, the priority registration, and the housing. There are also extra little perks such as double the amount of printing paper and the ability to check out a book from the library for an entire semester. The dean is also incredibly nice, and you should definitely get to know him.

What I love about Schreyer is that all of the kids like to have a good time, but they're serious about their grades at the same time. You'll find kids who like the typical Penn State party who also like to have lengthy discussions about a number of intellectual topics. The Schreyer community is also pretty tight, and I haven't met anyone who's stuck-up about being an honors student. Everyone is very modest! In general, Schreyer provides the small-school environment within the large opportunities of the big university. Part of the reason I came here was Schreyer, and I would say it's definitely a huge reason why I love it here.

Regarding the university in general: What I love the most about this place is that, save for a few exceptions, there aren't really cliques. There are groups of friends, but not really "cliques." There are so many people that you're meeting new people almost every day, and personally, coming from a small high school, that's really refreshing for me.

So. You've heard the rumors about Penn State? Just about all of them are true. You will find tons of drunk people screaming on College Ave at 2 AM (and hear them, too). I don't need to tell you that if you like that scene, you'll love it here. I'd recommend Greek life for that scene especially, but be warned: I have a friend who was a recruit in a sorority who had to attend socials every day from Wednesday to Sunday.

However, what people don't really mention is that you WILL find people who are not into that scene. There are over 40,000 students here. Anyone who tells you that you can't find people who don't party at all are lying. If you're worried that everyone will pressure you to drink, I can assure you they won't. You can still go to socials, not drink, and still have a good time. As for other activities, I promise if you look hard enough, you'll find something. If not, there is absolutely nothing wrong with hanging out with a bunch of friends and talking until the wee hours of the morning, and personally I actually enjoy that much more than drinking.

The challenge level of the academics depends on your major. I'm a Communications major, and I probably put in less effort than high school and get a pretty high GPA. However, if you decide to pursue a science or engineering major (especially the honors classes), prepare to WORK. I probably spend only a few hours a week studying. I had a friend who's an aerospace engineering major who worked his rear off all day. In my experience, the Gen Eds are, overall, pretty easy and mostly busywork. I'm crossing my fingers that my future classes for my major are a little harder. The Comm department in general has a pretty good reputation, but as a freshman, I would recommend getting involved in a related club. If I hadn't joined PSN-TV, as a film major, I wouldn't have touched a camera all year.

Also, when you're here, the LAST thing you want to do is sit in your dorm all day. There are a TON of activities, and I would say three clubs is a really nice balance. Pick one related to your major (example: PSN-TV), one that's pretty involved in THON (example: Springfield THON, AND OMG PLEASE DO THON), and one that is just plain cool (example: Traditional Chinese Tea Club). This is the main way you'll make friends, and the people I've met here are probably THE main reason I love it here so much. I love how I can walk around a campus of 40,000 students and bump into people I know almost everywhere I go.

The campus is beautiful, especially in the spring (although yes, it's usually bitter cold, but you get over it), and the facilities are overall nice and adequate.

And I guess I have to mention football. I came to Penn State not knowing what a "down" was. But the football fever is pretty contagious, and it's really amazing being in the student section and doing all the cheers. I think that's something really unique to Penn State. The school spirit here is unmatched.Overall, I'm really glad I came to Penn State. Yes, there's a lot of drinking, but it's not all there is to do--I PROMISE. If you get into Schreyer the value is really amazing and you should do it. The academics are not stellar--but you already knew that. There is a reason they call it Happy Valley, and that's because a large amount of students are incredibly happy here!

1st Year Female -- Class 2013

Campus Aesthetics: A, Faculty Accessibility: B-

I went to PSU and had a great experience. Let's start with the positives:

1. It is a great place to learn, especially if you aren't really sure what you do after graduation, as there are hundreds of quality degrees.

2. Greek life was great when I was enrolled. (it is in the toilet now, as the President of the University, the local police, and the community hate anything and everything with greek letters.)

3. Football weekends were (and are) amazing times.
4. You will make friends for life, regardless of what club or group you join.
5. My degree has been worth its weight in gold in the three jobs I've had since graduation.
Negatives:
1. The school treats the engineering program like a red-headed step child. The facilities are crap and the university caters to the "honors college," not the vast majority of undergrads that are "average students."

2. School President has done nothing but tarnish and ruin the university. He is all about making a name for himself instead of looking out for the well-being of the student body.

3. People like to talk about diversity or the lack thereof at PSU, but the truth of the matter is that each race/clic/group/religion would segregate themselves from everyone else. I came to PSU with an open mind, but left feeling disgusted at the attitudes of certain student populations.

4. Athletes receive special treatment and are virtually immune from discipline from the school or city at all times. It is borderline ridiculous on what a football player can do without any consequences...

5. The weather is horrible for the last part of the fall semester and about 75% of the spring semester. It's windy, rainy, snowy, and bitterly cold.

6. I enjoyed drinking during my tenure, but if you do not partake in alcoholic beverages, do not plan on attending. While saying this, I truly belief this to be the norm of most large, public colleges in the nation.

5th Year Male -- Class 2001

Social Life: A, Individual Value: F

Going to Penn State was by far the best decision I have ever made in my life. Penn State is by far the best school in the country. I can not think of a school where you get anything close to the experience that you get at Penn State.

I came to Penn State from VA. I had never had a drink in my life ( no not everyone is a big drinker) and honestly I was scared about going 2 the #3 party school ( now #1) . I immediately feel in love with the school and everything about it. Penn state does an amazing job introducing you to college life with welcome week and my Ra was amazing. I am a sophomore and I am still best friends with almost every girl from my floor freshman year. My teachers have been amazing. I have received teachers cell phone #'s , teachers have offered to meet students at their office as last as midnight to accommodate students schedules and I NEVER felt like a #. My professors have known my name in almost every class ( even one with 800 ppl bc i went to office hours once). Help was always there when I needed it weather it was the free writing center free math tutors or free spanish tutors I always felt like help was there if I needed it.

But aside from academics the true Penn State experience is what truly sets Penn State apart. The football is like nothing else in the world. Sitting in the Penn state student section in the most amazing thing you will ever experience hands down. I was never a huge sports fan in high school and I can honestly say now that I am beyond obsessed. My friends and I have camped out for an entire week( several times) in Paternoville to get front row football games. Paternoville is honestly one of the most fun things I have ever done in my life . When you get over 1000 students camped out outside the stadium fired up for a game at 7pm on Saturday on Monday @ 4 am you will know that their is no place you would rather be than happy valley. ( yes parents you go to class when you do paternoville)

As much as I love football there is something I love even more...Thon.. Thon is the largest student run philanthropy in the world and being involved has been the best experience in my life. Their are no words to describe the love dedication and commitment in the BJC thon weekend. Thon is honestly my favorite weekend of the year, I look forward to it more than christmas my birthday and every other holiday combined. Thon also brings together so many student together as friends who would not normally be friends and brings Penn State together as a university.

The party scene is amazing ( we are the #1 party school) But you do not have to drink ( I have honestly never been close to drunk or had more than a few drinks ) and completely everyone respects that. I still go out all the time and I have had the time of my life.Frats get fun things like mechanical bulls bands ect that make the party scene amazing! Their are also a lot of fun alcohol free activities.

Their are thousands of other clubs and ways to get involved and endless things to do with your 4 years here.

the bottom line is ..I have never met a person who at all regrets coming to penn state ( a girl on my floor transfered and said it was one of the worst mistakes she ever made .. she visits all the time)

I have also never met a senior who is ready or happy to graduate . I know I won't be... 4 years is just not enough to do it all.

I have friends at outstanding university's throughout the country and I can honestly say that no one likes their school nearly as much as I do... they all want to come visit ! There is no school like penn state and no students like penn state students ! No one is as happy as I am to go back in August as sad when winter break and summer come.

Someone told me that you can make a big school smaller but you can not make a small school bigger and nothing could be more correct. I am a sophomore and I already have friends who are sick of their school ( one being William and mary.. they hate it ) I can go 20 different places where " everyone knows my name " but if I want to get away I can . Penn state is not nearly as big as it seams . I can not walk to class without seeing at least 10 people that I know. With texting and facebook you will never feel lost and you will never ever be alone( unless you want to be ) . Penn state IS MUCH SMALLER THAN IT SEAMS There are over 30 places to eat on campus ( and the FOOD IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Simmons had all healthy food and is the best ) and 4 beautiful gyms with amazing workout classes.

Everyone loves Penn state and Penn staters. I found this quote and it could not be more true... everyone is jealous "...then they ask me where i go to college, and i say Penn State, and their excited expressions turn to shame and all they can manage to get out is "oh" because instantly they know no story they can tell can top what i've done. i don't need to say a thing, they just understand. they know that their wildest night of college is just a regular thursday for us. We Penn State kids are a special breed, and trust me, everyone else is jealous."

I love Penn State more than anything in the world and I know you will too. "I came to Penn State for the blue and white. I chose Happy Valley as my home for the pride and the tradition. I tailgate with the best and lose my voice with the same family of 110, 000 proud. I sing my Alma Mater with tears in my eyes. I hate Ohio State, but I hate Michigan more. I support Joe Paterno and the plain uniforms he made so famous. There are no names on our jerseys because we are one. Penn State is part of who I am, and I will carry Dear Old State with me wherever life takes me."Their are few negatives about penn state the only one I can think of is that the dorm rooms are very small ( I work at j crew so i have a TON of stuff and they fit A LOT LOT LOT MORE THAN U THINK ) I thought the room size would bother me but it did not ... I would live in it for the rest of my life if I knew I would be as happy as I am now ( a teacher asked a class if they would live in east 4 the rest of their life and be happy ... the entire class said yes )

2nd Year Female -- Class 2012

Education Quality: A+,