Penn State
Reviews

Takes Time to Complete

It takes a lot of time to complete the financial aid forms and you don't end up getting very much in the end.

CATA Bus!

There are four free bus routes between campus and downtown. Two run late night. They run relatively frequently and are easy to keep track of using either the CATA bus website or a CATA app for iPhone and Droids. They tend to be packed, especially between classes, but if a bus fills up there's probably another one right behind it.

Bring on the Stereotypes!

We do all kind of look the same. For class, girls wear yoga pants, Uggs and North Faces. Guys wear jeans or sweats and hoodies. When girls go out they're in skirts or dresses and heels. Guys range from tee shirts to button ups. As far as attractiveness, I don't think it's possible to walk around campus or sit in class without seeing people you find attractive.

Tons of Labs, but Also Tons of Students

You can find a computer lab in most buildings on campus, but with so many students you have to be careful about when you go or you won't be able to get a computer. There's a great page on the university's website that tells you when and where there are open labs. It even tells you the number of computers available.

My Favorite Place in the World

This category was a major factor influencing my decision to come to Penn State. Aside from their amazing reputation for academics, Penn State in general has an awesome atmosphere and is such a great place to be. It presents me with a challenging classroom atmosphere but offers me so much outside of the classroom. In only my first semester, I met so many people that I consider to be best friends and really got involved as much as I could. Football games were probably the highlight of my year so far, with a 9-3 team as Co-Big Ten Leaders Division Champions, despite the wake of the recent Jerry Sandusky scandal. And even though it has rocked this school as a whole, we as students have rallied and united as a whole: 44,000 strong that couldn't be more proud to call themselves Nittany Lions. This school is more than Sandusky, its THON, academics, fun night life, lifelong friendships, and pride for the university we call home.

There's Something for Everybody...

You can still have plenty of fun if you're under 21.

Job Opportunities After School

Penn State is well known for its athletic division. However, what many don't know is that Pennsylvania State University is one of the best schools to recruit from and for students to end up with a job after graduation. The huge alumni network Penn State has acquired also helps with this great asset. This is one of the greatest advantages of being a Penn State student.

Sorority Girl

Greek life here creates a whole new social atmosphere. The percentage of Greeks isn't very high, but all Greeks are involved in tons of things around campus. It really helps to make friends and meet tons of people. Frat parties are awesome

Penn State Forever

Penn State is better than Disney world.... seriously though its awesome.

Live on-Campus While You Can

Living on campus is definitely easy. Food options are available all over and at all hours of the night. Freshman year, live in East if you don't want to get any sleep and South or Pollock if you want to have the option of being in a slightly quieter building.

Housing is always really helpful and prompt if you have any problems with your room.

Cost wise, living on campus is probably about average and comes out to being about the same as living in the majority of off-campus apartment buildings.

The housing process is easy as long as you get a contract.. a decent number of people don't get them and then they're kind of screwed because most of the apartments downtown are taken at that point. You also don't get your assignment until August which is a little frustrating. The contracts are given out in a lottery and have nothing to do with who you are or special circumstances (unless you're an athlete or in a special living option).

The social aspect is nice because you get to know the people on your floor pretty well in the dorms, and they're right there if you want to hang out.

Strictness at Penn State

I think they are too strict with the alcohol. They should relax

A True College Town

Penn State - University Park has a large campus that offers many student-centered activities and clubs. It is a place where the students work and hard and also play hard.

Average Parking

There are lots of places for people to park on campus, but it is very expensive to get a permit, so there are advantages and disadvantages.

House Parties

Penn State University Park is rated number seven in the top ten party schools in the U.S. The clubs are fun, and downtown State College is right next to campus, but the house parties are way better, and they're usually free. We Are Penn State!

Very Secure

Penn State University Park is a very safe campus. The Auxiliary Police force is quite good at making students feel safe on campus. They even escort students who don't want to walk around campus at night by themselves. But be careful at the football games, they check everyone's ID for underage drinking at the tailgate parties.

Typical Guy as PSU

The typical guy at Penn State UP is athletic and in a fraternity. For the most part everyone is real nice and you shouldn't let the stereotype of groups of people be you deciding factor or only source of judgement.

Marketing

My first marketing professor was fascinating. She has her unique way to make Marketing more fun to learn. At our school, we can find lots of internship on the Penn State Lion Network. There are also job fairs around the year.

Parking at Psu

to commute to school it is $90/yr to park in the commuter lots. Freshmen living in the dorms aren't allowed to have cars on campus. Off campus parking can be as much as $300/month or more during the semester. you don't need a car for campus or in town but if you want to shop at more diverse stores, you need a car or have to use the bus system. The burrow makes much of its money on ticketing and fines. And if you park where you aren't supposed to downtown, you are sure to get towed by one of the 6 or so towing companies. If you get towed on the wkend, you're screwed.. about $300 or more to get your car outta the tow yard.

Biobehavioral Health

Serious dedication of teachers and many resources available and oportunities to grow

Alumni

Since this is such a large school there are alumni anywhere you go and everyone shares the same Penn State Pride that will allow for better networking when applying for jobs or internships.

Drug and Alcohol Visibility

I rarely was around drugs at Penn State. I have heard that they are mostly in the frat houses off campus. Alcohol is very visible, as penn state is a party school. It's a huge drinking school but you don't need to be involved in it if you don't want to.

Penn State Greek Life

At Penn State there are numerous sororities and fraternities available which offer a wide variety to students. Students who wish to become part of the Greek life have a wide selection of options so everyone can find their best fit. As a student who is a non-Greek I have always felt welcomed by the Greeks and so do my other friends. Everyone hangs out together regardless of the Greek system. As for housing the fraternity houses are very nice and all along one street for the most part which makes them easily accessed. The sororities live on a floor of a dorm building which house very nice rooms. I think the Greek life at Penn State is great and one of the best around.

Transportation for Penn State Main Campus

The transportation is very accessible and easy to track.

Local buses go through campuses and to local apartment complexes that are free, they also have kept up with technology advancements and have a "CATA APP" for the iphone and droid which allow you to see when the next bus will get to your stop. They are also very helpful with finding buses to go long distances like home and such. Also have a number you can call at anytime if you feel uncomfortable to walk home alone and someone will escort you to your dorm.

Best. Place. Ever.

So easy to balance studying and partying here. This is the happiest valley of all, and the best place to spend your time. Never a dull moment, and you'll be wishing you were here all the time once you graduate.

Penn State Athletics

The football team up here runs the town. The football games are incredible. But other sports are also very good. 4 straight national championships for the womens volleyball is unprecedented and their games are also very exciting to go to. Fencing has won many national championships and the wrestling team with head coach Cael Sanderson won a national championship for the first time this year in a while. The basketball team was good this year, making the NCAA tournament for the first time in a while.