Pennsylvania State University
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Pennsylvania State University - Comments and Student Experiences | |||||||||||||||||||
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The first Penn state campus that I attended was in Altoona. This was probably the worst campus for student life and quality of education. The town is depressed and the locals do not appreciate the fact that the students are the only thing that keeps their sad little economy alive. The police harass and abuse the students, both verbally and even physically on a few occasions that I've personally witnessed. There is nothing to do in Altoona and the campus doesn't offer much. The facilities and classrooms are old and could use some updates. The professors weren't very good at teaching and I felt like I was in high school again. I decided to stay here for a third year instead of transferring to the main campus so that I could work as an RA and save money. The police still disrespected me even when I tried to help them as an RA, so I decided to leave this campus for good.
I decided to transfer to Penn State Abington, which was close to my home. My adviser in Altoona told me that I could transfer to the Abington campus and finish my degree there which is what I had planned to do. But, after I transferred and met with an adviser at Abington I was told that I could NOT finish my degree at that campus! They don't even offer the same classes or degree program, but the adviser from Altoona told me that I could finish my degree here. I wasted one semester at the Abington campus, and decided to transfer to the main campus. There I would be able to finish my original degree that I had started instead of starting a new one at Abington.
I transferred to Penn State University Park and thought that my troubles were finally over. I was wrong. Apparently, they have a "competency requirement" where you are required to take 24 credits worth of classes at the campus that you plan to graduate from. I only needed 12 credits to finish my degree, but they won't let me graduate until I take an extra 12 credits to fulfill this requirement. At this point I just wanted my degree, so I agreed and didn't argue with them. I got through one semester, but during the second (extra) semester numerous problems in my personal life all hit me at once.
I had to go home and deal with these problems. I saw that they have an online course system called "World Campus" which is supposed to allow people to take classes on their computers from home. I looked at their web site and was excited to see that they offered the exact same degree programs that the main campus did! I called my adviser and asked if I could finish my last few classes online because they have the exact same degree program and classes as University Park.
She said that I would have to start the competency requirement all over again since it's a "different" campus! Unbelievable! I called the department office to ask them to make an exception because my my situation. They said they would call me back with an answer the next day. A week went by and I called again, only to reach an answering machine. I spent several weeks trying to reach them again but I always got either an answering machine or a secretary that said they were not in and would give them my message.
After ignoring me for several weeks, they finally decided to let me finish my last few classes online. I transferred to World Campus, and was greeted with an email from them saying that I have to take extra classes to fulfill the 24 credit competency requirement...
IN SUMMARY:
I'm sick of playing this game. If all of these campuses are Penn State then why can't I just get my degree from any of them? Why is the head of the department avoiding me? Because all they care about is money, not the students. They will do anything to keep you from graduating and make you go for another semester. Save yourself the headaches and go somewhere else!
Academically, Penn State offers a decent course. I just feel underwhelmed by my classmates who find the courses difficult. I'm taking a copious amount of credits, juggle clubs and other things, and I find it depressing I have friends who struggle with the bare minimum when I'm cruising through courses just by attending classes and not owning most course books. Having said that, there are several bright people in Penn State, and I gather that they're more interesting and driven than Ivy brats.
Penn State's academics leave something to be desired, but the faculty are excellent and friendly, and willing to help. ALWAYS find time to talke to the professors, you'll be surprised by what they have to offer OUT OF CLASS. The administration doesn't treat you like a statistic, and from the shit fest of paperwork I've stirred up, I'd dare say that Penn State has an efficient administrative system.
Socially, Penn State is like many schools - diverse on paper, segragated in reality. If you're a minority, be prepared mentally because 9 out of 10 students are white and from PA. Like many other schools, the races stick to themselves, but since everyone is friendly you'll be able to find interesting people (though hard) to befriend. Parties are run-of-the-mill, and all the parties I've been to have exposed me to the same faces (as far as minorities are concerned). The international students also stick to themselves nationally, and there seems to be little interaction cross nationally. Penn State does a good job of organzing activities like late night movies and caffeine induced poetry sessions for fat goths and greasy nerds though.
I think this deserves special attention, so: PENN STATE IS DEAD MUSICALLY. UNLESS MAROON 5 IS RIGHT UP YOUR COCKROACH INFESTED ALLEY, FORGET ABOUT EVER BEING ABLE TO CATCH A COOL BAND IN CONCERT. Don't ever entertain lofty dreams of listening to decent bands play. The alternative scene here consists of smoking AFTER you've hit the bars.
Having said all that, if you're white and like to not be challenged, come on down to lil' ol' State College. If you're an international student like me who feels cheated little effort is required to attain anything here, apply somewhere else, which is exactly what I'm doing. Props to the Econs department though, they kick ass.
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