Pennsylvania State University

I initially chose Penn State simply because it was ranked on US News as the 50th school, and accepted people during the Spring admissions. AT THE TIME, it was the cheapest school I could afford. My intention was always to transfer out from Penn State to an Ivy or a somewhat similar school.

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.

1st Year Male -- Class 2007

Collaboration/Competitive: A+, Surrounding City: B

Learn how to work the system or else you will suffer. i'm an undergrad engineering and they will WEED you out. average for all math/science related lecture courses are in the 40%-50% range and will only curve to a 70%. about half of the prospective ME majors don't make the GPA cutoff because the university is just too large. can't sufficiently teach +40,000 students. thus control all majors. if decide to quit engineering sophomore year you can not 'transfer' into the business college because it is also controlled. you are basically stuck going into liberal arts or the science college.

hardly any exams are partial credit- pretty much all multiple choice exams graded by a computer (HUGE NEGATIVE = no partial credit = 40% - 50% range for a grade). also, the teacher will usually NOT make up the exam- the head of the department will- which means your teacher may teach you material that is irrelevant because he/she does not know what type of questions are going to be on the exam either! most teachers do not speak english in the math/science/engineering departments. and if they do speak english, it is usually a graduate student who does not know HOW to teach.

students. slim pickings of the bright ones. not very competitive/smart unless in the honors college and a few engineering kids. not many kids know how to write here and they will NOT TEACH YOU. i turned in a high school paper for my freshman composition/english class and received an A (i received a B- in it in high school....).

social life is amazing if you come from a small town and drank in high school a ton. i am in a top notch sorority here and parties/bars are GREAT. but if you are coming from urban/metropolitan area the nightlife will get old because the bars are not trendy/hip and there is only one club that not many kids go to.overall, if you have the $ go to another top notch small college where you will learn material NOT learn how to beat the weed-out system.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2009

University Resource Use/ spending: A, Faculty Accessibility: D

If you're looking to go to school in a city, don't go to PSU. If you're looking for small classes and want to know all the other students, don't go to PSU. If you want an Ivy League experience with famous professors and distinguished alumni, don't go to PSU. For what it is (and it doesn't pretend to be anything else) PSU is a great school. By and large the programs are solid, some are great. The campus is beautiful, the professors are competent and human. The students are students - mostly great but sprinkled with assholes, just like everywhere else. State College is a great town - not a city - and, though sports-centered, there's a lot of pride in the university. With a huge student population, there's a group or activity for anyone that makes the effort to go out and find it.

5th Year Male -- Class 2005

Collaboration/Competitive: A, University Resource Use/ spending: B-