Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

I love going to school here. It is definitely called Happy Valley for a reason and there is no other place like it. Whenever I come back after a break I am always filled with happiness and I feel safe here. It may be a little too large for some people, but I enjoy this aspect of it, since there is always the opportunity to meet new people. Being a member of greek life makes it seem a lot smaller. There are also plenty of other ways to get involved, such as THON, which is a huge deal here. There is so much school pride here. Attending a football game is an incredible experience and PSU fans are considered some of the best in the country.

Penn State is an extremely large school and the University Park campus is in the top ten for total enrollment. Although the size of the campus can be overwhelming at first, it doesn't take long before you know the campus like the back of your hand and see acquaintances everywhere you walk. The campus itself is beautiful and the scenery around Penn State is spectacular. State College is a perfect town with just the right amount of restaurants to satisfy any craving you have. If you're not into parties on weekends, then there's always alternatives from movies to skiing (in the winter - which lasts a VERY long time). Also, crime is almost non-existent here giving some credibility to the nickname "Happy Valley."

Overall, I feel that Penn State does a good job offering lots of possible academic paths. However, the quality of the various tracts can be debatable. Many of the Gen Eds or lower courses are taught more by the TAs than the professors, which is troubling due to a weaker background in the subject. Furthermore, few professors or TAs have had any kind of formal training in teaching. While knowing your subject is an important aspect of teaching, it is only a fraction of the whole picture. Another problem I worry about is the business-like nature of the college and the way in which students are (quite literally) simplified down to a number. It is, at times, difficult to object to an unjustified decision or grade. I endured one particular instance of this that was, quite literally, life changing. While pre-service teaching (much like student teaching), a claim was brought against me that I had done a number of things that were intolerable (such as wearing biking shorts to teach in - false, trying to start an afterschool program - true but I went through the appropriate avenues, dress code violations - possible though the office staff said they had no written guide to provide me when I'd asked prior to my ejection). I was told to sign a contract, while in a visibly distressed state, requiring that i never speak to anyone from that school district again. I was not allowed to apologize, inquire or anything else. Furthermore, my supervisor, who is supposed to bring up concerns and help mediate the student and the school district, never told me anything about the problems. She claimed the school asked her not to report to me, that they would "handle it themselves". I was never told anything by the school either. My academic advisor (who is in charge of the major itself) found the situation ridiculous, as well, since she, too, by protocol, should have been informed. In any event, to make this very long story shorter, every appeal I made was met with an "I'll talk to Mrs. X" to find out the details, which provided me no opportunity to explain my side of the situation. I was refused any possible solutions even though I only had one week left of the program before completion when I was ejected. Aside from this situation, however, I have found the major I was previously in to be very beneficial and full of more experience than your typical education program. I was very thankful of this. Onto a totally different topic, I spend my time mostly at class or at home. I have lived off-campus and out of state college for the second half of my college experience. I had random roommates for the first two years. I can't complain about any of my situations and found that the entire area around here is lovely in its own, different way - much like people.

The academics are great. The school is the right size. People usually seem moderately impressed I'm at this school and think I'm smart. I wish the mainstream could have fun without alcohol. College town. I usually go to class, work out (pool is overcrowded), socialize with friends, do the extracurriculars, do any homework, play video games. Lots of school pride. PSU jocks (most of the school) are generally homophobic or closeted.

The best thing about PSU is the variety of people, activities, majors and classes. There are so many different things to do with your spare time, and so many different ways to get involved. I'd probably change the fact that most of the people here do tend to fit the "drunk football fan" stereo type. But it's not everyone, so it's not that big of a deal. Penn State is VERY large, but that's one of the reasons I love it here. I came to Penn State in part because I knew it was big. The bigness is great. People I talk to tend to think it's a good school. Everyone knows where it is. I ALWAYS get asked if I go to football games. I really only go to campus to go to classes and meetings. If I have time in between classes, I do homework in the stacks because it's quiet, or in the hub if I want to be sociable. The Reserve Reading Room in the Library is a great place to nap, and there are computer labs in almost every building so it's easy to check my email (or facebook, haha) from pretty much anywhere. College Town. For sure. It's called STATE COLLEGE for Christ's sake! I'm not honestly a fan of the admin. Professors come in all shapes and sizes, so that's nice. But I don't like a lot of the decisions the higher-ups make. They seem only concerned about money and not the welfare of students. A big recent controversy was over the fact that a lot of Penn State clothes, etc. is made in sweat shops and whether or not the admin should do something about it. However Pop vs. Soda and Sheetz vs. Wawa is more prominent. There is a ton of school spirit. Everyone wears PSU clothes. Most people go to sporting events. And there's Thon. Pretty much, everyone is proud of Penn State because they have reason to be. WE ARE..... PSU has a lot of little quirky, unusal things that most places don't. But they're not really apparent. Like, we're an aborium, and have lots of different kinds of trees all over campus. I'm not going to lie, I'll always remember my first football game. So cliche. But I'll also always remember what it felt like to realize I had found my group of friends that I'd know for the rest of my college career, and probably my life among the thousands of people here. The most frequent student complaint seems to be about having to walk far for classes. But most people avoid the freshman fifteen that way, so it's not so bad.

The big big campus and the greenry. The Engineering building. It is very large. They seem impressed. IST building my department. It is a college town. PSU administration is very good and understand. The PSU Islam facisim weeek. Yes there is a lot of school pride. Its a very old university and you can see amish people. The PSU Vs MSU game. The tution is too high

Penn State is in the middle of nowhere. Literally located in the very center of Pennsylvania (in Centre county) completely surrounded by mountains. We have a tiny little town attached to it, which is quaint. But the college is HUGE. Being in the middle of nowhere means you're basically trapped there most of the school year, and that limits who comes in and out. But boy, do we sure know how to throw parties. It's small town mentality with a big town population (when you include all the students of course).

The best thing is the extra curricular and academic opportunities that are offered to the students. I would change the weather. This school is the perfect size. People get excited when I tell them I go to PSU. There is a very large amount of school spirit. I will always remember the football games.

The campus is really pretty but one thing I would change would be the atmosphere, where drinking is such a major part of the school and its student life. people always react well when I tell them I go to PSU, they say "yeh, thats a good school". There definitely is a lot of school pride, and that is one thing I admire and love about PSU. I will always remember the experience of THON and having a THON family to take care of and interact with. The most complaints would be teh fact that tuition is so high and honestly, it doesnt seem like we benefit from the money. Being on main campus, we do not have the same normal benefits other branch campuses have. Such as free printing, etc.

The best thing about PSU is the people. I wouldn't change a thing. Size is just right. People always compliment the school when i tell them I go here. Most of my time on campus is in class. great college town. Administration is efficiet and organized. Controversy on campus....don't know. Tons of school pride. Nothing unusual, I'd say it's just like any other large instituiton. I will always remember football games. Football tickets selling out is a big complaint.