<p>i know its a big school...over 30,000 undergrads i think? do people ever feel lost in the mix?</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>It's the same for Michigan, UT-Austin, etc.</p>
<p>It seems big, but it's really small when you're there.</p>
<p>You don't take the same class with all 30000 students, you know?</p>
<p>About 20 years ago, a PSU prof in their Center for Study of Higher Education, a research center on campus, wrote a report that concluded essentially yes, it's too big. The major issue is that classes are generally too big, too impersonal, little genuine interaction between profs & students, and that their is too much what the report called ... "passive learning." Lectures & notes vs. interactive, engaged. And the study concluded that it was true at many major U's like Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, etc. but that unfortunately the economics of it all was increasingly driving student learners to those instutional types, not because they're preferred but because they're affordable. And of course, PA is among the most expensive public systems in the nation, unfortunately.</p>
<p>If you're really interested, the study is titled "Involvement in Learning" and uses alot of research from UCLA and Alexander Astin who directs the Freshmen Survey that's given at virtually every U in the country over the past 35 or 40 years to identify changing preferences and attitudes of incoming students.</p>
<p>my son goes to PSU and he loves it. He does mention that the number of students can be overwhelming at times (practical issues come into play like long waits for food). He is lucky to be in the honors college which allows priority registration, better advising, and easy access to small classes. Last semester, he had only one large lecture hall class. Non-honors college students can take these classes if space is available - they are all taught by full professors. Also, upperclassman tend to have smaller classes.
Overall, I would say that you need to be comfortable with a large bustling environment to feel comfortable there. It also helps be driven and independent as you need to seek our your own opportunities - there's no hand holding at PSU. If you need lots of individual attention and a small school feel - don't go there (even with an honors college admission). But the school does offer huge opportunities for bright driven students. And I think it prepares them well for the world at large. There are many successful PSU almuni out there.</p>
<p>True. Unfortunately only about 400 annually are admitted into Schreyer .</p>
<p>I too love PSU. But I don't confuse my affection for her, JoePa, Happy Valley to mean it's a desirable, preferred, or particularly productive academic educational setting for undergrads. Those can be very different things. </p>
<p>What I find most disappointing is how very few of our students really know even one prof. Even one as an admired personal mentor teacher. </p>
<p>And indeed, for non-honors college students, the registration gig can be a monumental problem, especially when it leads to extended tours because certain required sequential courses were not available in a timely way. </p>
<p>And yes, there are many successful PSU alumni out there which reveals little about value added via the academic experience, especially when there are millions of people out there who've attended PSU. </p>
<p>Again, I love Penn State (we're beating the Vols 17-10 ... roar Lions roar!), but do not find the undergraduate academic experience to be particularly lovable or an especially great value. The ranking things are really for presidential and COB egos and are virtually meaningless when it comes to assessing a potential undergraduate learning experience. Perhaps PSU's greatest added value to her alums is the massive blue & white network which is VERY different than Pitt or Temple. No sheepskin inferiority complexes in Happy Valley. Not unlike UNC, UVA, Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas, UCLA, Cal, FL,UW, etc. And one never has to clarify where one attended college when saying "Penn State." Unless it might be Penn State Behrend or Altoona. And then it's nearly always conveniently abbreviated. While very different experiences, and many for the better, when it's convenient, they're reunited in the shadow of Mt. Nittany.</p>
<p>WP - I hear what you're saying. But I think that the undergrad experience at most large research institutions might be similar- even at the the hiighest ranked private schools (Cornell, UPENN). Lots of large lecture halls and TAs. It sounds like you would be happier with the academic experience at a small school. But perhaps the social fit might be not as good? My son considered a few very small colleges but thought he would be bored socially after a year or two. I think it can be hard to find the right mix.
I also went to a large state U and spent most of my class time in large lecture halls. I didn't know one professor personally after I graduated. But I did learn how to be an independent learner- and how to deal with large crowds (helpful since I spent a good part of my career in NYC). I have taught myself complex software applications by getting books and studying them on my own. No handholding needed...
PSU is not for everyone...but I think it can be a good fit for some.</p>
<p>My son attends a school with about 16,000 undergrads. He is a freshman. He got to know each of his professors. His largest class had 50 students. It was made smaller b/c the professor had daily emails going out to all of his students. The emails reinforced info that was taught in class. His smallest class had 18 students. It is possible for large schools to provide individual attention. My son did not have any TAs and all professors that my son had were always welcoming during office hours. There are not many graduate students, and the focus is on the undergraduate. It seems to have benefits that a small school offers, as well as positives of a large institution. He is not bored with one dining hall, there is a football team, and school spirit, and he does have personal attention when he wants it. He can walk around the campus, or he can ride the university bus system to get to class. One can take a lecture with 300students, but my son was able to pick classes that were small, even as a freshman.</p>
<p>lol for some reason people associate a big uni. with not knowing the professors. Alot of them have office hours where no students even come to visit them and ask questions. Also, some classes end up clearing up by the end of the semester due to people dropping the class (much like my calc. class.)</p>
<p>The answer depends on the person. I personally would find it overwhelming, and, won't consider attending unless I get into Schreyers Honors (which probably won't happen).</p>
<p>
[quote]
lol for some reason people associate a big uni. with not knowing the professors. Alot of them have office hours where no students even come to visit them and ask questions. Also, some classes end up clearing up by the end of the semester due to people dropping the class (much like my calc. class.)
[/quote]
Let's say we attend the professor's office hours a fair amount throughout the semester. Do you think he would be more lenient with our grades whatsoever?</p>
<p>matters which class...There are def. times when the prof. will give you the benefit of the doubt. Also, if you goto the office hours, dont sleep n the possibility of a recom. for scholarships and jobs ;).</p>
<p>I also have some questions. With the large size of the school is it hard to find a close group of friends? Also, with most students comming from Pennsylvania do out-of-staters feel as if in-state people just hang out with people from their high school? Do most people know a lot of people from their high school when they first get there?</p>
<p>well i live in nj, where the most people apply to penn st besides pennsylvania. so many kids are applying there from my school so im sure i wont have trouble, but just see who is applying from your school and figure it out. also i hear you make friends easy, esp if you join a frat</p>
<p>You'll have no problems finding if you're looking. They're everywhere there.</p>
<p>I go to PSU.</p>
<p>and yes, it is HUGE. </p>
<p>Way too many kids, the classes are huge.</p>
<p>PSU isn't too big for me. But yes, it does depend on the person. I wouldn't be happy at a smaller university.</p>
<p>Truly, beauty belongs to the eye of the beholder. One key is recognizing and addressing the challenges that come with a behemoth like Penn State ... or a spec on the college universe like Wells, Centre, College of the Atlantic, Hampden-Sydney, etc. Each has its good points and challenges. But they are different requiring different mindsets and approaches to learning. "Pick your poison", as my PSU prof used to tell me.</p>
<p>One of the major issues, imo, is where and how do you learn best? Lectures or discussions? Lecture halls or labs with prof looking along with you? And from whom ... peers or profs? At the latter, they can be very influential. At the former, well, they're credentials are great but they aren't paid to teach or advise undergrads.</p>
<p>So ... pick your poison and swallow it.</p>