Pennsylvania State University

If you are a suburban white kid from "Outside Philly" who plans on either going Greek or staying in your high school clique and only focusing on partying than this is definitely the place for you. If not, than I'd look somewhere else. I'm very extroverted/sociable yet most of the people here aren't looking for new friends. Also, a lot of the students can only talk about partying. I like going out on weekends, but I also like having meaningful conversations with people, which rarely happens here. The academics here are very good but that doesn't make up for the people you are stuck here with. In conclusion, when picking a college make sure that you like the people there, because at a place like this you will be stuck with them in the middle of nowhere for four years.

1st Year Male -- Class 2019

Perceived Campus Safety: A+, Friendliness: F

I was fortunate enough to get out of PSU when I could, and now I'm here at USC (Southern California) and it's the best decision I've ever made. First of all, the film program is weak. I came in as a Business major, but I realized film was my ultimate passion through an intro film course, so props to PSU for that! But in comparison to the intro film course here, PSU doesn't even hold a candle. A lot of the PSU courses were so multiple-choice-heavy; while I did do well on the exams, I never felt I was learning anything except on how to work the system. However, I highly recommend anyone to take a class with Dirk Mateer.

This institution was simply not my fit. And while I've made some fantastic friends here who I keep in touch with, it wasn't enough to get me through another three years. Not to mention the outrageous out-of-state tuition price vs. USC's amazing financial aid package I received. Transferring eased a lot of money tension in my family, which was another huge reason.

My biggest issue about this school were the students' attitudes. Had I gone to a metropolitan school somewhere in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, maybe I wouldn't have been so jaded by the largely disproportionate narrow-minded student population. I'm also at a disadvantage as a gay minority. I've dealt with instances where I've been verbally assaulted walking home by drunk students. The style of clothing on campus is too casual, in my opinion. I come from a huge city on the west coast, so I'm used to wearing bright colors, different layers, and so forth. The standard outfit here is: PENN STATE shirt, with basketball shorts, and sneakers. If you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and be bold, you will get the most intimidating stares from your peers.

The downtown area of State College is a huge lackluster. While the walking distance is very convenient, the variety of restaurants, shops, banks, etc. are all very limited. But the one thing that irks me about the culture here is the fake holidays and the outrageous drinking/party scene. I get that State College is a quintessential college town and the experience, but it is way too out of control here (mainly due to its rural location). USC has a huge party scene too, but it is very easy to avoid and find a more creative outlet in film - I couldn't find this creative outlet at PSU.However, I did have great times with my friends there, hanging out at the HUB and around downtown area. The school itself didn't cater to my interests and I felt the location diminished my chances of gaining valuable experiences and sets of skills as an undergrad. I've already found an internship here at USC. The work feels much more intense and it fits my interest in film. I don't have any opinions about the recent football scandal, so I was not very influenced by that.

1st Year Male -- Class 2015

Perceived Campus Safety: A+, Surrounding City: D+

My comment is negative (unfortunately) but valuable advice to other naive communication students like I was 5 years ago.

The Communications College at Penn State is awful! I originally began my freshman year with an advertising major, but didn't have an opportunity to take even a seminar or ANYTHING that even explained what advertising was until spring of my sophomore year when I took the Intro to Advertising class. The program is set up so that you had to get all of these prerequisites, but in the meantime, you have no clue what you're getting your degree in until it's almost time to graduate!

I desperately wanted to learn important techniques in public relations (after I FINALLY was allowed into an advertising course and hated it - and by then half of my college career was already over!)

I would have changed to Education (one reputable college at Penn State - yes, Penn State may actually be good for something... believe it or not) but I was already screwed by the College of Comm because I already wasted 2 years on a major that I didn't even know what it was until it was too late to get out of it!

Fortunately, I shifted into the Public Relations major relatively easily. Unfortunately, all of the Communications professors I had (except for one who happened to be my advisor and was wonderful) did not challenge us and did not teach us any relevant skills.

My major was a joke. The only time I ever learned any real communications skills was in my internship in my home town. But at least I didn't have to worry about studying - that gave me time to plan my regular "escapes" from State College and all of the pathetic students who spend 4 years of their lives in a drunken stupor and still manage to walk out with a diploma.

The worst part of my Penn State experience was the job search. I graduated with distinction and got excellent grades and did 2 internships and was having no luck finding a job in my field in this tight job market, so I called the Career Placement guy at PSU. What a mistake! He basically told me to try to brown-nose my way into a job by kissing up to all of my family, friends, and neighbors. He couldn't give me any REAL help to find a job. And to think I paid tuition for 4 years (which hiked about 13% annually without fail) to be told to put on a happy face, stop complaining about Penn State (which I NEVER will!), and become a professional brown-noser!

That's Penn State for you - at least the College of Comm. -
lots of flakey students who party their lives away (and can, because the Comm majors are ridiculously easy) and a philosophy to "networking" (a.k.a. brown-nosing) to find a real job - just a few months after they finally let you know what you'll be doing for the rest of your life!

By the way, I'm not one of those "flakey students" - I ended up in the College of Comm by accident when I realized I was trapped. Then my choice was to change to Education and be stuck at PSU for yet ANOTHER 4 years (on top of the 2 I already spent) or just get a degree in whatever would get me out FAST! (within 4 years) I think I would have majored in Basket Weaving at that point - anything to release me from the nightmare that was my college career. So I found a major that would get me out in 4 years and I took it!

Now that I have left Penn State forever and know what the "real world" is like, I feel that my life has just begun.

4th Year Female -- Class 2003

Perceived Campus Safety: B+, Useful Schoolwork: F