Another "Ask me..." threads

Colleges and Universities A-Z Penn State
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<p>Hey, guys. So, I've been noticing that many of you guys are getting your acceptance letters on here and there's been quite a lot of families walking around campus, so I just figured this thread would be a good idea. I know there's a couple of others on this board, but I notice some get swamped with questions that goes unanswered, so I'm here to answer the "left overs." Haha. I know particularly a lot on College of Comm and Daily Collegian, so if you have any questions about this specifically or just on the social life here, ask away. I'm usually on this site like almost every day or every other day, so I'll get back ASAP. I love helping people out because I understand how many of you feel. I traveled half-way across the country to go here and my experience has been really good. I'm also a candidate for the College of Comm Diversity Ambassador, so I might as well get used to answering lots of questions. Ask away!!! </p>

<p>P.S., congrats on those who got in! I know it's a been a ROUGH year for PSU, but remember: what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.</p>

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<p>Thanks for starting this thread, it’s always great to hear feedback from actual PSU students. </p>

<p>How has the scandal affected your experience at Penn State? Are the majority of the students over it at this point? If you knew what was coming this year before you made your college decision, would you have gone somewhere else? Any regrets?</p>

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<p>I’m seriously considering Penn State and Smeal Business (been accepted already and waiting to hear from Screyer) but I am wondering how you think future employers will view me going to Penn State at this time? Any input? Or will it blow over soon enough? I actually visited during the time the scandal broke, and was pleased to see Happy Valley just as happy as usual. I love the school spirit Penn State has maintained, it has so impressed me and kept PSU very high on my list.</p>

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<p>ner111… PSU pres said that he has spoken to recruiters since the scandal and they all said that they are still going to hire more and more PSU students every year.</p>

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<p>Thanks! PSU is still is high on my list!</p>

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<p>@ Pens and ner,</p>

<p>I definitely don’t regret making my decision to come here because: </p>

<p>1.) I learned to grow a back bone and become an individual.
-With the number of students here, it’s so easy to get sucked into the party scene and do poorly academically. Also, many of the professors might seem a bit distant to the students, but you have to put an extra effort in building your relationship with them.</p>

<p>2.) I discovered my passion and what I DON’T want here.
-I got immediately involved with on-campus activities and clubs and write for the school’s paper. With the intention of going into Business and Journalism, I’ve completely changed to Film and Art History. I’m going to transfer to a private school in California that has a strong film program, so I wont be attending Penn State after Spring semester. But this was NOT due to the Paterno-Sandusky events. I just feel the need to move to a place where I can make connections in the film/media industry.</p>

<p>3.) I guess that’s all I have to say lol.</p>

<p>As far as the student attitudes on the campus, it’s split. I’m usually surrounded by the less die-hard Paterno fans, so we don’t really talk about what happens like every second of the day. I have seen some students, however, breaking down on campus or get angry if someone brings the whole thing up. I never really understood it because most of us don’t even know Paterno, so it doesn’t really have a profound effect on some (including myself) because we did not have that connection with him. I do think some people here overreact and conform for attention, but most students here are just neutral about the entire thing. The ones that you hear about in the media going crazy by tipping news vans are the dramatic ones.</p>

<p>As far as job prospects go for Smeal (or the university in general), there should be no problem. There will be people who will judge you for the actions of a few, but those people are obviously not worth working for. People have come up to me with an awful attitude when I got back home for break, but it only made me realize how people outside of State College are insanely ignorant. You simply cannot judge the entire student body for what happened. Unfortunately, Penn State will have a tarnished reputation for the years to come, but this was an incredibly valuable experience for all of us: it taught us how people behave in a situation like this and how bad the media made us all out to be. But the overall atmosphere of the school and faculty members is very normal, as normal as you can get. It’s still Penn State and it will forever be the same old Penn State.</p>

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<p>DJpsu, that was so awesomely put; it really puts me at ease with my decision to attend. No wonder youre in journalism; you really have a way with words!</p>

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<p>Hello, I was accepted to up college of communications as well. I regret choosing that school though because i think I want to major in business instead. I was wondering your thoughts on the college of communications. I’m a smart girl who wants to succeed and make a lot of money but I feel like I would be able Tj succeed more in business but I’m not sure if I would even get into smeal. I have 1720 for my sat and my gpa is about a 3.6. I have a lot of extra cirriculars and I definitely would work hard but I don’t know what to do. Would you recommend staying in communications?</p>

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<p>@Nadycf,</p>

<p>It’s totally normal to feel ambivalent toward the college of comm. It’s a good school, but there are just better communication programs at different universities in this country (Northwestern and Syracuse for example). That said, I do feel satisfactory in the college but mostly because I’m really sticking my head out there and going for every opportunity that arises for students. While the program itself may not be “incredible,” you’re going to make connections through the professors. One of my peers in PSAJD (a sort of bi-monthly newsletter for the college of comm) got an internship at the NYTIMES this past summer because the dean of the college had a connection. We have lots of great professors from Syracuse and Northwestern who can totally hook you up with jobs and internships - but, of course, you first have to show them that you are worthy of it and their recommendation.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, the undergrad program here is good. I know rankings are arbitrary, but I believe it’s somewhere within the top 30 of the undergrad programs, so it’s not too shabby. But if you’re ambitious and want to jump into the big media industry, schools like USC or Syracuse might be better for you. I mean, it’s possible to get those jobs too here at PSU, but it’s more regional. I cannot see myself working in the east coast forever. Most of the jobs I strive for are all in LA for SF, anyway. Do you know what major you applied to for Comm? Or are you undecided in the school? The College of Comm, however, does offer tons of opportunities to get involved such as the student-run newspaper, The Daily Collegian, WJPSU (online news site), and like…tons of others! The career fairs can get insane and stations like CBS, ABC, and MTV come to recruit our students, but IT IS COMPETITIVE. I can go on and on. So, you might want to just give it a try your freshmen year and just dabble here and there (which is what I’m doing). You might find something you love, or you might find out you absolutely hate a certain aspect of something (like I did early on! thank, goodness.). Since you don’t have to declare your major until your fourth semester, you have a lot of time to try some stuff out.</p>

<p>I believe you have the credentials and potential to get into Smeal - anyone who works hard can get in. If you’re serious about Smeal, look into the website and find the pre-requisites for the major. I know you need to take MATH 110 (Business Calc) or MATH 140 (Calc with Analytical Geometry), but I believe the latter is more for Engineering/Math/Science majors. You also need to take some intro classes for the specific major you’re looking for. For most COMM majors, you NEED to take Economics (Micro or Macro depending on major). I believe for Smeal, you need to have at least a 3.2 OR 3.4 to get in…I would check the site because I can be wrong, but I know it’s more competitive than majors like Advertising/PR, which requires at least a 3.2 gpa. I know Smeal has TONS of opportunities especially for Wall Street and east coast jobs, so if that’s your ambition and you like the style of education, don’t hesitate to try it out. You can also minor in Business if you want. I know tons of Journalism majors who are minoring in International Business. I, myself, am a pre-Film-Video and Art History double major. </p>

<p>The most important aspect is…don’t slack off! SO many people think, “Oh, I got into college, now I can just sit back and relax and expect a job right in front of my doorstep while I party hardcore…” < WRONG!! It’s so important to maintain a good gpa in your college (at least a 3.5) for the best recruiters to consider. So, the better you do, the more opportunities and doors you open for yourself, so really keep this in mind (especially in college). Professors who see you do well will recognize your efforts and if you become good friends with them, they might even ask you to join their dual-degree program: a five-year program in which you earn both your BA/BS and MA. If you don’t have to take a certain class for your major, then don’t…really. Try not to think, “Oh, if I take a ton of calculus, it might look good.” - because if you don’t get good grades, you’re only ruining your gpa. Also, take classes that you are genuinely interested in. I know there will be some classes that you just have to take to get by (like science ew), but there are classes like “Biological Sciences” that are geared for the non-science majors, so try and ace all your gen eds. If you’re feeling good and ambitious by the end of your first semester, perhaps try for the Paterno Fellows program (a program to get into Schreyers), but I believe it’s only for the College of Liberal Arts. </p>

<p>Honestly, I was not that bright in high school. I got a 3.4 gpa, I slacked off, and my SAT was 1800/ACT: 28. But I turned that around in college after Penn State gave me a chance to really show the world who I am and that I am a hard-worker. It’s just the best feeling ever to look at the people’s faces who ridiculed me back in high school for being “dumb” after they saw my college gpa. It’s not all about high school at all; college is really where you mark your beginnings. Take advantage of everything and pave your way to success here!!!</p>

<p>Wow. I just got a little carried away like I always do. Anyway, if you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to ask.</p>

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<p>@edawns,</p>

<p>Thank you for your compliment!</p>

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<p>Thank you that was a big help. I choose advertising and public relations. I really don’t know what I would want to major in but I think I will call psu and try to change to the undecided studies or whatever it is. Like I said I don’t know if I’m attending psu but if I do attend I want to come out with being successful and liking what I do.</p>