I’ve been accepted to the Pennsylvania State College of Liberal Arts in University Park and I’m just curious if anybody has knowledge or whatnot about the college, region, or whatever. Any students or alumnis? How’s the weather?
If anybody has any info regarding penn state, it would be greatly appreciated. If not, I can always watch this thread sink into oblivion.
I’d be happy to answer any questions you have. I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering from PSU (2001) and am now back here working on a BA in History (don’t ask, I may have to beat you ;}).
First thing is, U Park is in a small town in the middle of the state. As soon as you get out of the town itself, you are surrounded by farmland. But, Philly, Pittsburgh, New York City, Baltimore, and Washington DC are all within easy driving distance (3-4 hours).
The experience here is pretty much what you would (realistically) expect from a public university. There’s a huge drinking scene, but there’s also plenty of other things to do - so either way you don’t have to be bored. The academics aren’t too rigorous (at least not in LA) so there’s plenty of free time. It’s not private school level, but the tuition will go up every year you’re here. PSU basically gets shafted when it comes to state funding, both in relation to other Big 10 schools and to other public schools in the state.
The weather is rather fun here! It can go from highs in the mid-teens to low sixties in a day (or vice-versa). I’ve also been caught in near torrential downpours coming out of a clear blue sky with not a cloud in sight. However, most of the time the weather isn’t bad. This winter was rather cold, but the preceeding ones have been fairly mild.
Any other questions will be answered or points clarified. Just ask.
Penn State, class of 1994 (BA History (Honors)) here. My dad went, my aunt went, my cousins went, heck, I was the first person in my family to go to a university other than Penn State (Bucknell, summer of 1988!). I was even born at the Penn State Hospital, just across from Beaver Stadium!
Like akennett said, it’s really in the middle of nowhere, but at the same time, it’s a huge place. The university pretty much overwhelms the town. Fortunately, I had relatives who lived in State College, so I could escape Penn State for a while.
Academically, I had a fine time at Penn State–well, once I switched my major from Engineering to History. I had some very good professors there, and I was able to use the Year Abroad program to go to the University of Leeds in England for a year. The library system is good, and there’s a good academic support system.
As for student life, it’s well-known for being inclusive. There are myriads of student clubs in just about everything you can imagine. I hear the bars are good (I was 20 when I graduated, so I don’t really know!). Even the dorm food is passable. The dorms themselves are a bit of another story–I’ve heard good and bad things about them. Off-campus housing can be a big rip-off.
I wish I’d had a better time at Penn State. I had (non-university-related) problems there, and as a result I’ve blocked out a lot of my time there. But I’d encourage anyone to go.
Thanks for the responses.
OK, so here are some more questions:
-Is there easy, cheap transportation to Philly and/or NYU other than driving (train, greyhound, etc)?
-What is the public university scene exactly? What are those “other things to do”? Frat parties, football games and so on?
Since the school is so large, i shouldn’t have trouble finding my own group, right? (Might I be a jock, treehugger, bohemian-wannabe, computer nerd or what have you)
What’s a strong department in Penn state? How’s their social sciences department?
That’s it for now. Thanks again for your replies.
Wow!
3rd generation Penn Stater checking in here. I mean, I was concieved at Penn State! I was in the class of '01 and I graduated from the College of Liberal Arts with a degree in Political Science.
I think your time at Penn State will depend on 2 things… What you make of it and where you are coming from.
I had a great time at Penn State. I met great people and did alot of cool stuff. There is a huge Greek scene at PSU so if you want to be involved in everything on campus, I suggest you pledge. I was not Greek but alot of my friends were and they were really involved in just about everything. There is so much to do, it is a really big campus community.
Now a word of caution, my parents LOVED Penn State because they were coming from the two dead Pennsylvania shit coal towns of Pottsville and Wilkes-Barre. To them, PSU was a fabulous vacation from the depressing life in those towns. I came from a much larger city only to find out that PSU is in the middle of freaking nowhere. I was like “Um, where is the Nordstrom’s?” only to find that the best I could do was the Kaufman’s at the craptacular Nittany Mall. It took a while to adjust to small town life but I made that adjustment and had a great time.
Eat a grilled stickey for me will 'ya?
Yes, the Greyhound bus is cheap and it leaves daily from the bus station across from campus. Don’t count on flying, it is hella expensive to fly out of the University Park Airport.
Frats, football (YES!), volunteer work, social clubs, academic clubs, bars, sports, club sports, intramural sports… Really, there is tons.
You will have no trouble at all. Try going to the student involvement fairs at the beginning of the semester.
Engineering is great at PSU. Business is pretty good. Social sciences are alright too.
I can do tramp one better, as one of great Grandfathers has a building named after him there, so counting him, I could be considered fourth generation. Unfortunately, I graduated in '83, so things may have changed since then.
If you’re looking for a big city experience, PSU ain’t it. Otherwise, most people seem to enjoy their time. I was a physics major, so I know the engineering and science departments are strong, although the engineers spent much of their time in huge classes designed to weed them out. (That may have changed.) Physics majors avoided that. I took a lot of history classes, I graduated with honors in world literature of all things, and the largest of those classes was maybe 40 people. I had Paul Harvey’s son for Roman history, and a Dr. Borza for Greek history. They were both quite good.
The weather is interesting. I still miss autumn, even after 20 years. I do not miss winter. The sun’s existence can not be directly verified from late November to February. Spring is very pretty.
Socially, I doubt you will have much trouble linking up. Everyone is very friendly; it is still the only place I’ve been where you could make friends in an elevator. Since similar people tend to be interested in similar things, you will have no trouble meeting people with similar interests. It is meeting people with drastically different interests that is hard. Back when I went, there were basically no women in engineering and physics (there were in math, though) and no men in nursing. You’d think the two groups could have found each other, but …
I won’t comment on the social scence, otherwise, since it has undoubtedly changed. I did meet my beautiful wife, who didn’t drink, at a bar there, so if even a hopeless geek like me could successfully socialize, you should have no trouble.
Oh my. Old people 
I’m in my senior year at Penn State University Park campus right now. Please note that I am here unwillingly, as I transferred here from the college I really go to, and I am so tired of blue & white, Nittany lions and blue paw prints right now I could puke. So sorry if I end up being a bit negative.
The social scene: Seems that the best way to make friends quick is to join a frat or sorority. Although most of the people I know are those in my major, because I’m active in two major-specific clubs and refuse to take part in the Greek system.
I’m majoring in Civil Engineering (BS). Be careful of your first two years of classes–they’re designed to weed you out.
Oops, I just looked and saw you’re majoring in Liberal Arts. I dunno about that department, you’ll have to go on what others have said.
You can take a Greyhound bus to Philly or really anywhere else–there’s a station on Atherton Street (don’t worry, you’ll know where this is :)). Also, the student government regularly organizes cheap buses to take you to nearby major cities (I think at least Pittsburgh, Philly, New York, and I’m sure there are others) for breaks.
It rains a lot here. Well, a lot for the region. And unexpectedly. If you’re from the area, you’ll be used to the amount of snow, so no problem.
If you’re curious, I’d suggest you go here to the college newspaper site to get a general idea of what’s going on and what the students are like.
Other things to do: club activities, football (this town is crazy for football, you won’t believe it till you see it), Late Night Penn State (a little lame, but the movies are usually good–have you seen our movie theater? You should!), scads of concerts (lots of them cheap, too), shopping. I’m sure there’s more.
One thing I would caution you on is that it’s a big school, so make sure you figure out what resources are available to you (hint), because it’s even in the Penn State Principles that you have to fend for yourself in order to graduate on time. And in general, kids here don’t graduate on time, so if it’s a priority for you, try to plan well. (See this–4-year grad rate is 48%.)
Um, if you have any more questions, let me know here or feel free to email.
Uh oh, a civil engineer. You may want to talk with me about a job after you graduate. I work for them in their government relations department.
Any hey, some people graduate on time. I graduated EARLY, in three years with two degrees. It can be done.
Thanks for the additional info everybody.
tramp: Well, I’ve been all over the place, as long as they have running water and electricity, small town life shouldn’t bother me. Besides, NYC and Philly is right next door.
From what I’ve heard, I don’t think I would very fond of the frat scene. Is “people who couldn’t leave high school” an accurate description of fratboys? Meaning immature, cliquish jackasses too focused on getting laid, wasted, or something else that’s equally trivial. If so, no greek life for me. Would I miss a lot by not joining a frat though?
Magickly Delicious: It seems you lack a bit of school spirit. Do the face-painted-go-lioners get really tiresome? I mean, enough to actually interfere if your lifestyle/studies? I was never into sports, especially football, so I’m wondering if the fans would get annoying.
So how does Penn state compare to the school your transferred from? What are its relatively shortcomings and pluses?
I’m only in liberal arts because I didn’t really choose a major, so I want explore my options. I’m think one of the social sciences, journalism, or maybe even philosophy. I’m open to new ideas, and I would prefer to take a major that penn state has a strong background in. So I’m open to new ideas, except engineering, since that’s not something I’m really good at or interested in.
Well there are social fraternities and service fraternities. The social ones are the get drunk and laid every weekend people. The service ones are more about doing good for the community and less about parties.
I don’t know if you will miss alot, I didn’t rush and I like PSU life just fine.
Seriously though, the student involvement fairs at the beginning of the semester are wonderful if you want to get involved!!!
And I painted my face every weekend! It is hard not to get swept up in the school spirit there. Even if you don’t like football that much, it is neat to be part of 100,000 screaming fans in Beaver Stadium on a beautiful blue sky afternoon in the Happy Valley!
Class of 95 alumnae here - Liberal Arts Major (specifically Letters, Arts and Sciences - make up your own major). Is that cool or what?
What everyone said above - it is a huge school, and is mostly upperclassmen - so as a newbie freshman, it can get a little overwhelming if you are not prepared for it. I wanted a big school, since I came from a small (@ 200 in my graduating class). Take advantage of all of the advising you can - and be in their face, since they are really not going to chase you down.
I was in a sorority, and basically joined up (actually a founding sister) because the rush was only a week long and the Greek system (IFC and Pan-Hellenic Councils) were changing the party policies. Shallow, I know, but I was a good girl in high school - I needed to let loose in college!
As for Greek Fraternities, not all are about the L & L (liquor and laid). Rushing for guys is really simple - you basically go around to all of the houses, and whichever ones you get a good vibe from you’ll probably get a bid, and you can accept it if you like, or not. And the houses are rally pretty varied - there are the preppies, the stoners, the hippies, the rich boys, the preppie stoners, etc. - you get the picture.
Bar scene - if you are underage - DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT GOING TO THE BARS. I mean it. Don’t try a fake ID, don’t use a duplicate ID - you WILL get busted. Same goes for apartment parties - they are almost always busted up by the cops. And DO NOT walk around with an open container. You WILL get a citation.
Freshmen are usually housed in East Halls for the first year - this is out on (what used to be) the very edge of campus, and across the vast Lot 80. This lot is very VERY icy in the winter. But, there is a Loop bus (it goes around the campus in a loop - get it?) that is pretty nominal ($.35 in my day) and is a good way to get to class. Many people bike, but bikes get stolen all the time, so you takes your chances.
The dorm food has really come a long way - there are many choices no matter what your dietary preference. One warning - stay away fromthe Creamery ice cream - it’s the ice cream in the dining halls, and is produced by PSU on campus. I’m not telling you this because it is bad - it is too good! It’s addicting!
Mmm - grilled stickies! Love the Diner!
Ah - winter. Snow usually starts falling about Halloween and it will probably fall consistenly until April or so. Get good hiking or construction boots with lug soles for traction - OPP did not do a good job of shoveling or clearing snow when I was there. Lotsa nice bruises from falling down.
History majors - one of my most favorite classes was by Prof. Spielvogel - what an amazing guy. I had his son for Speech Com 101 too.
Good times. Have fun, and don’t skip too many classes. You’ll regret it later!
Hmmm, things have changed a bit since my good old days. Of course, back in the 80’s we had to make our own water. All that banging of hydrogen and oxygen made my head ache.
I lived in the East dorms for two years. Neither my brother nor my sister did, so not every first year goes there. Lot 80 sucked, but it was never icy while I was there, just big. I don’t remember any significant snows while I was there, or I would have enjoyed winter more.
I did not join a frat. I had enough friends. No apartment, or dorm party, was busted while I was there, but drinking is more frowned on now. I lived in an apartment complex near the end of town my last two years and it was very quite. There are maybe 50 frats and sorieties, so a few thousand sttudents out of tens of thousands. There were even some studious frats.
One advantage of a university the size of Penn State is that they are reasonably good at a shocking number of things They are also the best at shockingly few things. For example, they are probably top 20-40 in physics, but in gravity they are one of the best.
Just to add a few things from the other posts:
2)The Loop bus that rides around campus is now free. Well, you pay for it in your tuition/fees, but you don’t have to pay any fare to ride it. A word of warning though, I only rode the bus once (I was going to the career fair so I had a suit on and it was raining out) and it took me nearly twice as long to get to my destination as it would have taken me to walk. But many pepole rely on the loop every day.
3)There is so much to do at Penn State that you won’t miss out by not joining a frat.There are clubs and interest groups formed around just about any interest/activity you can imagine (and some you probably wish you never sould have imagined). Seriously, there are political, sports, games, cultural, sexual-orienation (on both sides), and a whole host of other groups.
I’m a junior here, majoring in Environmental Resource Management with a biology minor, so my experience is mainly in the colleges of agriculture and science. I never joined a fraternity, and in fact have never even gone to a fraternity party, and I’m perfectly happy with my social life. Of course, I’m also taking 21 credits this semester, so I don’t have that much of a social life to speak of 
But as many of the previous posters have said, there are an incredible amount of different student groups on campus; you should have no problem at all finding one you fit into. I don’t know too much about the social sciences department, even though my uncle is a history professor here:)
In my experience, though, the academic environment here can be really good, if you set your mind to it. If you’re content to coast through school, you’ll be able to, but you won’t get very much out of it. If, on the other hand, you take the initiative to talk to your professors, speak up in your classes, and do quality work, it’ll be noticed, and it can open up doors for you. Don’t let big class sizes scare you. If you have any questions, you can e-mail me (although a few other people already offered).
OK, I have been here for 10 YEARS, and am almost finished (getting my doctorate in aerospace engineering.) You will have it sweet if you come as they have been building like ants the last couple of years. I know people who have been here as long as I who are constantly being surprised by new and different things to do. It is easy no to notice things as there is so much. Along these lines it is easy to miss out on everything too, so you have to take initiative to find something for you, and there WILL BE something for you.
Academically we are remarkable, and in most majors there is a speciality in which we are one of the best in the country and world. Pick any random combination of interests and you will be able to find a group of friends who share all of them. You shouldn’t have too much trouble just coasting through, and on the other hand you can learn more than you ever thought possible if you take the time. There are enough students that no prof will care if you slack and never show, but almost all will be willing to meet with you a couple times a week if you are having trouble or want to learn more. I suggest you get to know and bug your profs as the connections you make will help you out scholastically and intellictually.
Depending on the department they can really go to bat for you when you are looking for a job. If you get to know any profs they will use all their connections to find you something. In my department EVERYONE gets a job no matter what the economy is like. It is a point of pride. Speaking of that, if you stay anywhere on the west coast (and to a lesser degree anywhere on the planet) you will meet many other PSU grads. They tend to be very proud of their university and look out for other grads.
The college football scene is like beads at Mardi Gras. Maybe they don’t have any real value, but everyone thinks they do and therefore everyone gets excited over it. Even if you don’t like to watch any sports (like me) you will love going to the games.
The party scene isn’t as good as it was and the drinking reputation isn’t really deseved anymore. Our current president is a bit of an alcohol nazi and that has trickled down everywhere, including requirements that Frats can’t use Frat money on bear for parties (if I am not mistaken). I use to just walk around on a Friday night and stop in at 7 or 8 house and apartment parties, but they just don’t exist like that anymore.
Be forewarned that several people find the place boring. This has more to do with them not wanting to actually look for things to do though. Oh, and we have classes on EVERYTHING. I have spent the last couple semesters sitting in on courses I never had a chance to take as an undergrad (studio art, french, ballroom dance, etc.). Any interest you may have, you will find a course on it, and you can probably design your own major around it if you want to try.
Well, good luck, hope to see you next year.
Thanks for the helpful info.
Austen: thanks for the practical information. I’m hoping the whole drinking thing has changed the last 8 years since I don’t really want to go through crap just have a nice cold beer at a BBQ or something along that line. Here in Guatemala, the joke is that if you’re old enough to see the bartender, you’re old enough to drink. Same goes for driving, except if you can see over the steering wheel. Which is basically true. So I’m almost used to drinking every once in a while so I hope drinking isn’t a hassle.
Also, so you’re saying there’s a variety of frats? Like stoner, prep and so on? I always assumed fratboy = asshole prep. To be honest, most of my friends right now are slightly preppy stoners, so it would nice to know I have a familiar group in college. Game nerds are probably another group I could identify with. Hmmm… I’m babbling now.
Maybe I’ll consider a joining a frat. Or maybe not. Well thanks again.
Sorry I came back so late.
Sorry I thought you were from the area, non-native (oh the irony :)). I would really advise that you just don’t drink at all, really, until you’re 21. Don’t do it at parties and you can’t go to bars, they’re very strict here about it. And the U.S. laws are such that the blame gets put on the provider of alcohol.
You can major in almost anything at Penn State, so I think you will be able to explore your options pretty well. The only reason I am lacking in school spirit a bit is that I came from a totally different school: a small, liberal arts school that emphasizes teaching over research. The big school thing isn’t exactly my style, but I had to go to one in order to major in engineering.
The only time the sports would disrupt your lifestyle would be during the home games in the fall, when the campus gets really full of out-of-towners here to see the game and to tailgate. Driving around town gets hard for the two hours before and two hours after the game, but that really isn’t much of a hardship. It’s just something to get used to the first time you see it. And the tailgaters are always really friendly, anyway.
Oh, regarding your questions about transportation, there are no nearby train stations really–just buses and the airport, as said before.
I recommend trying out a dorm. I’ve lived in Pollock Halls (supplemental housing–ever had 7 roommates before? Quite the experience) and West Halls. Close to classes and you don’t get the problems you might get stuck with if you were in an apartment–no getting stiffed for rent by a roommate and if you have problems with your roomie, you can change rooms. (I’ve never tried to change rooms myself, though) And the bathrooms are kept relatively clean.
Oh, yeah, food at campus is good. They get major points from me for always having nice vegetables and fruit–for some reason, in my experience, that’s something other schools don’t do so well, but PSU has that down. The menu’s a bit heavy on chicken, but I like chicken, so I’m okay with it.
FYI, if you’re gonna check out the Greek thing, it looks like from this that there are at least 55 frats here.
While I wopuld never advocate anything illegal, there really isn’t a problem for someone under 21 to get some beer every once in a while. The above posts that warn of not trying to get into bars or liquor stores are absolutely right - don’t even bother to try. However, once you get involved in a few activities you will find some friends that are over 21. There is an almost unwritten code that these friends will purchase for you if your requests aren’t totally ridiculous. I was on both ends of this stick and never minded. Of course, if your are calling every week to get a couple fo cases and a boxes worth of liquor you will quickly get cut out of the loop.