Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

Penn Staters love their football- student tickets sold out in less than an hour this year. And there isn't a lack of alcohol at Penn State, but a lot of it is tied to the bar culture, which younger students can't be a part of. Penn State, located in the middle of Pennsylvania, certainly isn't a cultural mecca, but it gets its fair share of big entertainment events. Rihanna was here, Will Ferrell came recently and Fergie is performing for Blue and White weekend.

Anyone who takes more than merely a first glance at the PSU campus can quickly understand that these stereotypes are false. As enjoyable and entertaining as the social life and football games may be, they serve to improve the Penn State experience, but not to define its students. Penn State has a way of bringing people together that inspires a huge sense of pride in those who attend school here. This campus provides an enormous amount of opportunites for students to succeed and challenge themselves while also having a great time. These students who are incorrectly labelled as irresponsible party animals are brilliant, dedicated people who have a strong desire to succeed. The amount of hard work that Penn State students put into their studies, and their efforts to be involved on campus, demonstrate the unity and positive attitude that Penn Staters feel here. It is this sense of unity that actually facilitates students' abilities to make friends and to find their niche.

I'd have to say that after four years at PSU, the stereotypes have proven to be correct, for the most part. Football is a religion at PSU;not only do we have one of the best College football coaches in history, Joe Paterno, representing our team, we also have arguably the #1 student section and #1 tailgating parties in the nation. The point is, you don't even have to know what's going on in the game, just show up to a PSU football game and you'll be hooked! In regards to being one of the "best public schools in the nation", there are rankings out there that'll tell you PSU is up there. As a student, however, I will tell you right off the bat that PSU is what you make of it. Work hard and thou shall reap the benefits!

There are numerous Greek organizations on campus, but the members are outgoing and charitable. They work with all other campus clubs and activities to raise money for Penn State and perform volunteer work for off-campus organizations. I also believe all other clubs have equal footing and worth within the university. Football weekends are an eventful experience, but a very positive one. The games show the dedication that current students and alumni have towards their college and make the university a collective unit. True, other sports aren?t as renowned as the football program, but they have a dedicated (if smaller) fan base. The curriculum, administration, and faculty create liberal and open atmosphere for students to experience.

The stereotype that we drink too much is?well?relative to what you consider ?too much.? Yes, many of us go out on the weekends AND during the week, but there is a large amount of PSU students who choose to party very little or not at all. And no one cares. I don?t think twice if it?s a Friday night, I?m clicking down College Avenue in my stilettos, and I see a student with his backpack heavy and ready for a night of studying at the library. Hundreds will be making flashcards and review sheets right along with him. That?s the thing about PSU- no matter what you feel like doing, there will ALWAYS be someone feeling the same way. If you?re set on becoming a top attorney, the mock trial team can?t wait to have you. If you?re into a specific type of video game, surely you can find competitors here. Even a hobby as seemingly rare as belly dancing has its own club. This brings me to the diversity issue. I?d say PSU students are diverse in all ways but ethnicity. There are people with a variety of ethnic backgrounds here, but as a whole, Penn State is not as diverse as it could be, and probably not as diverse as other schools of its size.

While Penn State may be comprised of an overwhelming number of in state students, "outside of" Philadelphia is basically any town in a one hour radius. Coming from both ends of the state, students cover a lot of territory and actually discover that there are many kids from New York, New Jersey, and Delaware as well enjoying the opportunities in University Park and on branch campuses. Regardless of where you are form, Penn State is only as big a party school as you make it. Whether you were raised in a barn or you grew up on the Upper East Side wearing stilettos, plenty of students find sober, football free fun. Others enjoy the dozens of bars down town and late night apartment parties. With such a broad range of activities on campus and downtown, cow tipping is never a last resort.

The assumption that we worship Joe Paterno and the football team is pretty accurate. Football tickets sold out in something like 45 minutes this past year. Tailgating is a big deal; families, alumni, and the average Joe fill our campus every home game weekend. The partying is also pretty true. It's pretty well expected that there will be at least one or two kids in your Friday morning class with a hang over. However, it is not true that everyone is drinking and going out. I have found a fairly large group of people who do not go out every weekend, as classes tend to get more intense during sophomore and junior (and I assume) senior years. We're also known for our academics, as we have many big name professors on campus, and we even have an extremely high rate of graduation for our varsity sports players.

Yes and no. It is true that the majority of students are white. We are supposed to be a "diverse" campus, but when you walk around campus, you are surrounded by a sea of white faces (to disclose all facts, I myself am categorized as white). Some kids have money, but I know a lot of kids who are on work study or who bust their ass over summer to pay their college tuition. Yes, there are the few "stuck-up" people who parade around with daddy's credit cards in their BMWs, but most of the kids I encounter happen to be extremely down to Earth. And it is true that a majority of the students drink. This town goes crazy on weekends, and celebrates St. Patrick's Day as though it were the only national holiday this country has. Every night the bars are busy (I even prefer weeknights, because on weekends you can wait a half an hour to get one drink) and you can always find some girl stumbling on to College Avenue any night of the week. Yet I know a lot of kids who choose not to drink, or casually drink (not to get wasted). There are some activities at the HUB, our student union, which promotes activities that don't need alcohol for enjoyment. Still, I think the alcoholics here truly outnumber our teetotaler friends. Yes, Penn State loves football. I personally dread the spring semester and look forward to tailgating and "white-outs" once more. We idolize our football players as if they are gods, but what other huge football campus doesn't? Our other sports are great, but I'd have to say that that stereotype does ring true (especially in my own life - I hate to admit it, but I have never been to a basketball game in my three years as a Penn State student).

Well, yes, JoePa is a God on campus; when the dear old man passes (Heaven forbid), there will probably be mass suicides among those who are even remotely associated with Penn State. And our football team, well, if you look at the 2007 season I would have to say that is probably not true. I love PSU football though, and I have to say, we are NOT fair weather fans. And 40,000 of your closest friends my ass. I'd pay money for someone to prove that they speak to more than 15 people on a regular basis (I'm talking confidant, not those embarrassing mornings when you say hi to that random kid you or your friend hooked up with last night). And okay, if you are in a sorority or fraternity that 15 close friends probably jumps up to the hundreds - but be realistic here kids - you're paying to have massive amounts of beer and people to party with on the weekends - you don't actually like the majority of them anyway. And yes THON is an awesome fundraiser, the money goes to a wonderful charity, it gives you an individual sense of pride and a huge campus is perfect for raising millions. But, lets face it, college students are not the most ethical fundraisers. Think: Let's get Wasted FTK.

Ok, so JoePa is pretty major here and a lot of people do love our Nittany Lions, but there is so much more to Penn State then just Joe and football. There are so many activities to get involved in that bring fame to PSU and yeah, it is a party school, but it's so easy to make friends because there's something for everyone.