<p>@Pens1394 I definitely enjoyed seeing my family and my old high school friends, but the break is a little long. I found myself out of things to do by the end of the first week, and pretty much spent the rest of the time laying around doing nothing. So in that sense, besides seeing family and friends, I guess I wish I was back at PSU. </p>
<p>@sky3151788 I really have no knowledge of that program but I believe you need the SAT or TOEFL at least to be admitted. Not 100% sure though.</p>
<p>Thank you for you reply! you rock
the next barrage of questions might seem like strange but please read them knowing that I have no idea what college is like.
1 did you send your final year report before enrolling? is there any one that did not?
2 what do you do if you get sick?
3 Can you become an RA freshman year?
4 What time is the earliest class?
5 is it very unlikely to get a 4.0?
6 what do you think of the SHC?
7 if you get denied from SHC now,how hard is it to get in letter?
8 any comments on STDs?
9 I know college depression is a major issue and almost every one will have it at some point, how aware is the school of this and what do you do to prevent it?
10 are the SHC students stuck up?
11 have you been denied any opportunities because you or some one is not in SHC?</p>
<p>Does Smeal require either a Mac or PC laptop/do they have a preference?</p>
<p>Hey how are the dorms for freshmen? And are your Gen Ed Classed with many people any easier than a normal class?</p>
<p>Most freshmen live in East or South Halls. East has 14 buildings and a reputation as a party/zoo, but dorms will be dry starting in the fall so perhaps that will change. The rooms are classic cinderblock cubicles, extremely far from central campus but on the other hand closest to the BJC and stadium. South is closer to town and has the same sort of setup, but fewer students. Dining halls are pretty good for both, but you can eat anywhere you want on campus, not just at “your” dining commons. </p>
<p>sbrtth will have answers too, of course. Huge GenEds are not necessarily easier – think about 500 people, and you have a content question. Isn’t gonna get answered by raising your hand! And again, PSU is not academically a walk in the park. A survey class is going to rely on a midterm and final. So your grade comes down to 2 tests, which sounds easier than lots of papers and projects, but really it isn’t, imho.</p>
<p>My D will be visiting the school in Feb during “accepted student program” any suggestions on things beyond the program she should experience while there?</p>
<p>greenbutton, are you sure about East halls going dry next fall? How are they going to enforce it?</p>
<p>The policy change: in years past, students over 21 in residence halls were permitted, as their legal right, alcohol in specified amounts (no kegs). Now, no one living in a UP residence hall will be allowed. Violators will be referred to Student Conduct. Remember, there are about 13,500 dorm spots, and 43K students, so the vast majority of students are unaffected. </p>
<p>From PSU Housing site: </p>
<p>ALCOHOL AND ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES
Alcohol Policy</p>
<pre><code>The possession or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all Penn State on-campus undergraduate residence hall buildings including Nittany Apartments and Eastview Terrace for students of any age. For the 2011–2012 academic year, students over 21 years of age will be able to possess/consume alcohol at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College only in the Behrend apartments, Ohio Hall, and Tiffany, Tigress and Porcupine Halls.
It is a violation of state law and University policy for a student under 21 years of age to attempt to purchase, consume, possess, or transport alcoholic beverages. It is unlawful to sell, furnish, and give alcoholic beverages or to permit alcoholic beverages to be sold, furnished or given to any minor.
It is against residence hall policy for there to be any tailgating activities in the residential quad areas or residence hall parking lots where alcoholic beverages are being served on any football game/event weekend including all home football games, Football Eve, Fourth Fest, and the spring Blue and White Weekend. Students tailgating with alcoholic beverages in these defined areas will be confronted and will likely be charged with “open containers in an unauthorized area.”
Residents will be held responsible for activities that occur in their rooms, and will be referred to the Office of Residence Life, the Office of Student Conduct, and/or University Police if guests are violating the on-campus alcohol policies listed above.
Failure to comply with the direction given by or the request to present identification to a University Official acting in the performance of their duties is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and will result in a referral to the Office of Residence Life or the Office of Student Conduct.
It is against the Student Code of Conduct to supply false information, such as name, age, etc. to University Officials who are acting in the performance of their dut
</code></pre>
<p>Do you think that Penn State going dry will ruin the social life for a lot of students? I’m not a huge drinker or anything but I did plan on checking out a few parties while I’m down there since I’ve had such strict parents in high school and haven’t really ever experienced it.</p>
<p>If you can wait a week i’ll let you know :D, as i might stay over night up there that weekend. and believe me, you can tell the answer to your question just by listening in around 12-3 am.
my bets are, it’s not like that sort of thing is going to disappear.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks!</p>
<p>Penn State’s not “going dry”. It’s making a policy that you can’t have alcohol in dorms; like I said, the vast majority of upperclassmen live off campus and there are plenty of places to drink – even against the law, underage. Bars are increasingly strict because the PLCB has State College on it’s short list of places to check on. </p>
<p>I am sure the social scene will not be substantially different, as people who want to drink will always find a way. I will spare you my rant about the evils of alcohol abuse (assault, injury,not to mention complete waste of tuition money) and just caution you to be smart and make good choices.</p>
<p>Hey, I have a question!
I was accepted into Smeal and was wondering if Penn State offers overnight stays to accepted students. I want to check out the overall dorm experience before making my decision.</p>
<p>How do you pay for your under grad. did you take a full loan</p>
<p>@iamzewalrus
I think the best way would be to spend the night with a friend/someone you know that is a student there. That way at least you’d be comfortable and the person would likely be more open/honest about any questions you have, as it would be friend to friend, not some student whose job it is to only say the good things about PSU, like a tour guide. 
As far as I know, (and I haven’t heard anything/found anything on their website), Penn State does not have a program that sets you up to stay with a student.
I’ve stayed at UP 3 times this year already with a friend, and gained valuable information about the experience that I never would have gotten from a tour.</p>
<p>@creacher
I took out a loan for the remainder of my bill. I got a scholarship for half tuition each year, and therefore (because I didn’t qualify for aid) had to take out a loan for more than 5 K or whatever you said per year. So it is possible. I don’t really know a whole lot about this though, so I’d contact the PSU financial office if I were you.</p>
<p>I’ve been starting to have doubts about the major I intended and was wondering if it is easy to change your major once you’ve been accepted. I’m still waiting on my admission decision, but was just curious if it wouldn’t be too much of a problem to switch majors if I was accepted. I would possibly be switching from nutritional sciences to forensic science or biotechnology.</p>
<p>call the admissions specific to the major youre interested in; I know I was considering switching to bioengineering from biology and it doesn’t sound like you’re allowed due to enrollment control.</p>
<p>It’s relatively simple to switch from majors within the college. So two science majors is fine, but if I wanted to switch from biology to civil engineering, I’d have to reapply to engineering.</p>
<p>Hey! I know you’re probably extremely busy, but I had a few questions:
I had picked “Undecided” on my app, and was accepted into DUS. HOWEVER:
though I’m not sure of what subject to major in, I’m sure I want to go to Med School after my undergraduate studies.
How does DUS work? By going into DUS, does that mean I can’t take <em>harder</em> classes? How long do I have to stay at DUS? What’s the difference between DUS and the college of communication, arts and sciences? Should I try to call the admissions at penn state and try to see where I can go instead of DUS?</p>