<p>I spoke to someone today who stated that me transferring to Penn State is a bad idea because of the scandal. He told me that the schools rep is going down and that more and more people are pulling their funds from the school. I also heard from multiple sources that the nation thinks that the students are a bunch of idiots because they were victimizing Joe Pa instead of the kids. Also Howard Stern made a statement about the education that the students are receiving at Penn State. So whats your idea on this?</p>
<p>My idea on this statement is that it’s complete nonsense, and not even worth dignifying with a response. Columbia09, I’m sure you are a very intelligent young person with the ability to think logically and independently, and to draw your own conclusions. That’s the type of student that Penn State wants. For anyone to cite an argument against attending Penn State based on a comment by Howard Stern… really? Enough said. </p>
<p>Penn State is a wonderful school with a world class faculty and student body. I could go on and on. It saddens me to think that a student might consider depriving themselves of a Penn State education based on the stereotyping that you’re hearing. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.</p>
<p>Oh yea I’m going to Penn State I just wanted to know what other people thought about these statements</p>
<p>I’m glad you’re going. I am a graduate, and my daughter will be starting this summer. You won’t regret your decision. Please don’t waste another moment giving thought to the ignorant and misguided comments that you’ve heard. I’m not minimizing the scandal in any way, nor am I an apologist for the actions of those who made bad decisions. Joe Paterno was a wonderful man, but a human being none-the-less. My personal feeling is that the scandal has galvanized the school, to include the alumni base, and I am more proud than ever to say that I am a Penn State graduate. I am also extremely proud to say that my daughter is a member of the Class of 2016.</p>
<p>I agree with Dadager. My son will be going to Penn State in the fall, and will be in the graduating class of 2016. He was accepted by many fine universities, and chose to attend Penn State for its wonderful reputation. Penn State has so much to offer.</p>
<p>I’m glad your son is going there PortMom, and I’m particularly glad to hear that he turned down other good schools in making that decision. I have never been more proud to associate myself with my Alma mater, and am proud of any young person who sees beyond what has happened and decides to see an amazing school for what it really is.</p>
<p>I am an alum, my daughter will be a junior. As I have mentioned before on other threads, my daughter loves Penn State as much as she ever did. Job prospects for our grads have not diminished, applications for admission are holding steady or are up. </p>
<p>And who gives a rat’s patoot about what Howard Stern thinks? Seriously?</p>
<p>Penn State is still a top 50 school in the country, and whatever the athletic department did has no bearing on the academics of PSU.</p>
<p>Proud to have a son at Penn State. He will be a junior next year and absolutely loves the school. No concerns. No regrets.</p>
<p>We are PENN STATE!!</p>
<p>With the Sandusky conviction and fall-out, anyone with another option would be crazy to go to Penn State. It’s like having ENRON on your resume. A turn-off to both graduate schools and employers. </p>
<p>It will probably be at least a decade before the Sandusky stain fades from the Penn State name.</p>
<p>LakeClouds - I’m not sure whether you are a current student, or what you are basing your opinion on, you are entitled nonetheless. My D is also be a proud member of the Class of 2016, was accepted to numerous other prestigious schools but chose Penn State based upon everything the previous posts have stated; academic reputation, alumni base & networking, world renowned faculty. I must say it seems that one person will not bring down as fine a university as Penn State, and I firmly believe that the scandal will not continue to create a mark on the reputation of Penn State. There will always be those who will look for that to happen, but I don’t believe it ever will.
My D started this past week in the summer LEAP program, has already gotten involved in a community project and as per her recent text “Mom - I LOVE it here, I know I made the right decision, I can’t picture myself anywhere else. I am going to make the most of my four years and the opportunities.” Not much more a parent could ask … And - Howard Stern?? Um, yeah, now THERE’S an opinion that counts - seriously ???</p>
<p>Enron? You’ve got to be kidding. And you know what? If you were a lower/mid-level employee at Enron, you wouldn’t have had anything to do with that scandal either. I doubt employers assume everyone at Enron was crooked.</p>
<p>Penn State has over 40,000 students, faculty, administrators, and other employees – and 99.99% had nothing to do with this. Didn’t employers name PSU their #1 college in terms of recruitment? I don’t think that’s going to change because of this scandal. </p>
<p>Anyone who writes off an entire university because of the actions of a handful of people has no critical thinking skills whatsoever.</p>
<p>DS just graduated. Every student in his program had at least one job offer. Didn’t seem to scare off (or turn off) any of those employers (and in this economy, in a building related field).</p>
<p>My son (rising Junior) landed a great internship this summer (position applied for and offered AFTER all the fall-out this past school year) and is working at NASA this summer. He had multiple options. His Penn St education only helped his resume - didn’t hurt it in any way!!!</p>
<p>Ljrfrm, I don’t know if your son is in aero engineering, but I have heard stories of aero grads at NASA finding notes on their cars because they had PSU license plate holders. (nice notes, looking to meet up.) Btw, NASA after sophomore year sounds pretty sweet.</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you that posted such wonderful, positive responses on this thread. After reading the awful posts on that “other thread”, I have found myself doubting my D’s decision to attend Penn State. It’s so nice to hear that your children are happy there. We have no previouse history with Penn State but feel it offers the best program for my D’s major and with job recruitment and the alumni network it’s hard to beat. Thanks again for keeping me focused on the positive attributes that make Penn State a great school, a wonderful community, and a worthwhile investment in our D’s future. </p>
<p>My D can’t wait to move in and and, based on all of her new Facebook friends’ posts, she’s not alone.</p>
<p>1moremom: Thanks! He is now “officially” an aerospace major. I was thrilled when he got this internship. He sent in the resume - didn’t even interview - and received an email offering him the position. I really think his Penn St education helped!</p>
<p>@kvillemom - sorry to burst everyone’s bubble, but the fact is that the Penn State name has been permanently (or at least for a decade or so) stained and damaged. When people outside the bubble think of PSU, they will think of child sexual assault not great academics. If you’re at PSU, make the best of it. If not, think carefully about what you’re doing and what other options you have. I think people need to set aside the kool-aid and face facts.</p>
<p>While you seem to be just stating a personal opinion - without any fact to back it up - Penn State students are experiencing first hand that this is not a true statement!</p>