Penn State
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Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Penn State features a wide range of professors and class types. Most teachers are well trained in their field, but there are always exceptions to the rule. Just like most schools, graduate and international students serve as teaching assistants. Some can be easier to work with than others. It becomes pretty easy to learn which professors are student-friendly and which ones to avoid. Upperclassmen and Web sites like RateMyProfessors.com are good sources to guide you. The bottom line is that your effort will usually dictate your grade: If you put in the work, your grade will reflect it.

Class size also varies widely. It’s easy to get lost in the large auditorium classes, but these are unavoidable when you’re working on general requirements. As you progress in a major, though, you’ll find that classes become smaller, more discussion-oriented, and more personal. Penn State has a lot to offer academically, and this is especially true if you’re motivated to learn.

Penn State Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Penn State

jhudson323

Architectural Engineering '16

4.2

A-

Awesome

Professors can be iffy but the academics are perfect! Everything you can possibly want is offered, although some classes can be very challenging- especially the weed out courses (large freshmen classes- usually sciences and upper math levels that require a C or better for certain majors such as engineering or other medical fields)

May 29, 2012

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Academics at Penn State

jhudson323

Architectural Engineering '16

3.8

B+

Challenging Yet Fun and Worth the Hard Work

I'm In Architectural Engineering. This is a very hard major that only takes a certain number of students and is a rigorous 5 year program. The classes are very challenging but if you know you want to go into it, I have herd it is well worth it in the end. TAs and teachers are helpful, and some of the architecture classes can be very small so you get to know everyone well.

May 29, 2012

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Academics at Penn State

nic2007

Biology '12

3.8

B+

It Is What You Make of It

Some majors, especially the sciences are quite challenging and force the student to do critical thinking. As with anything, time and dedication are required to keep up with the pace of class as you can get easily left behind.

May 17, 2012

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Photos of Penn State's Academics

Free Hugs!

Photo by qtpiektw

Free Hugs! As an assignment for a sociology class, this student had to give out "Free Hugs" to fellow students. One of the other students giving out "Free Hugs" (not pictured) received a hug from Penn Stater Bronne Bruzgo of MTV's "The Real World"!

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Photo by qtpiektw

Rave at the HUB

Photo by qtpiektw

Rave at the HUB Modeled after the student rave that took place in the library at James Madison University in Virginia, Penn State students organized one of their own in the Hetzel Union Building (HUB) the weekend before finals. Hundreds of students danced the night away in Alumni Hall of the HUB at midnight to release building stress from studying and cramming for upcoming finals.

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Photo by qtpiektw

Free Hugs!

Photo by qtpiektw

Free Hugs! Every day when you leave your room and wander around campus, you are guaranteed to see students from a class or organization involving themselves in different activities. Students from a sociology class had to give "Free Hugs" out to random students for an assignment.

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Photo by qtpiektw

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