Pennsylvania State University

I've just finished up the best school year of my entire life. Last year, I came to Penn State thinking I would be surrounded by a cesspool of stereotypical Dumb jocks, and while that is partly true, it doesn't bother me that much anymore. This was the best year of my life

If you're an engineer, expect large gobs of work coming your way. The first sememster is manageable, but by second, you will find yourself irritated by the sheer amount of problem sets and design projects you will have to do. Make sure you schedule smaller classes with friends you've already met, or make friends with the people in your class. It will help a long way. Most people drop out of the hard sciences or engineering because of the sheer difficulty/workload involved, but if you can make it through this, you will probably find yourself with large piles of job offers in the mailbox during your senior year. Penn State has its strongest programs in Engineering, Buisness, and the pure sciences.

You may also want to incorporate the law of diminishing returns into an engineering cirriculum. If a 3.7 doesn't come to you easily and you end up with a 3.1, working twice as hard to get that 3.7 may not be worth it because of sacrifices in time, energy, social activites...You will work hard here if you choose to go into engineering, but few people are extremely competitive grade whores

Socially - if you're somewhat outgoing and sociable, you will find a good group of friends. During your first month, get to know the people on your floor and in class or else you will find yourself without a niche and have nothing to do on weekend nights later down the road. The sheer amount of people allows you to be exposed to a broad range of personalities. Finding a good group of friends, as anywhere, is almost essential to enjoying your experience at Penn State.

Parties and drinking are big. I personally like both a lot, but if you don't, expect to have more limited social options during the weekends OR be converted into a drinker by your friends (which happens a lot)

the girls here are pretty hot. Unfortunately, the average Penn State chick seems a bit more snobby than the average hometown chick. Expect a lot of eye candy...and if you're a half decent smooth talker, look foward to getting some nice random action.

Other things to expect:

-If you live in east halls freshman year, expect to walk 20 mins to your nearest class or wait 30 minutes to grab a bus

-Cold weather. Dreadfully cold weather.
-Rowdy floormates being loud until 3 am on weekdays, but this might only a freshman east halls sort of thing

-athletics. If you like sports, you'll find a lot of people who do (watching and playing)
-Video games - way bigger than people think...at least among guys. Floormates never stopped playing Halo 2

-Oddballs - I don't know if it's just the concentration of people, or if Penn State, for whatever reason, actually attracts oddballs to the school. They came in numbers I never would have expected.

But most importantly, do what you desire the most. Do your own thing, make your own friends, work hard during the week, and have a damn good time, whatever it is that you're doing. Even if you're not fond of the forementioned things, it's damn possible to still have the time of your life. The sheer size of the school makes a lot of things possible. Don't come here with a negative attitude. Give people the benefit of the doubt when trying to get to know them. Make your experience here a memorable one.

1st Year Male -- Class 2008

Education Quality: A+, Innovation: C+

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've read the negative comments...where do these people go to school?? Certainly not my Penn State.
It's simple to have a good experience here...DO STUFF! I don't care what your into...there's a club for it. IM sports, club sports, anything. We have a Harry Potter club, political clubs, community service, foreign language, chess, you name it. If it's not here, start it. It is a big campus, so you need to embrace new things if you want to make friends besides the one's on your floor. Greek life is a social life, but it's not necessary to do it. Just do shit.

The key to classes is scheduling...always do you research and find out who the best profs are before you blindly take your classes. Yes, some profs are assholes. Such is life. There are so many great, inspiring, life changing professors. Find them. (Ratemyprofessors.com)

Do work. You don't have to go crazy (well I guess some of it depends on your major) but study. Don't just cram before your exams.

The weather sometimes is gross but whatever, it makes us happier when we find good weather.
PSU is great. You'll like it..

2nd Year Female -- Class 2010

Education Quality: A+, Scholastic Success: F