I’ve been accepted to Penn State, University Park. I’m hesitant to go because of it’s reputation. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that Penn State is a great school, otherwise I wouldn’t have applied. But I feel like so many students go there mainly for the college life. Obviously football there is huge, as well as partying, but I’m not that kind of person. I want to be surrounded by moral people who aren’t immature. Of course not everyone there is like that. I met a friend and a few of his friends during my campus visit, and they were all extremely nice and helpful. They were a lot like me, and told me that you have to “find your people.” But, while I’m at college, I don’t want to only enjoy my close group of friends, I want to feel pride at my school and feel proud of the people that represent it.
Another dilemma I have is that it’s extremely cold there most of the time. The campus is beautiful and love it, but only when it’s warm. And it’s rarely warm there.
However, it would be the best place for me to go in terms of majors. I’m an undecided student, and I believe that it has the most beneficial undecided program of all the schools that I’m looking at.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Also, I get almost the cultish feeling from Penn State, and not in a good way. Please don’t attack me for this, Penn State is an amazing school, but sometimes the pride there is almost scary.
COME HERE AND BE FRIENDS WITH ME.
To be serious, though, the weather isn’t horrible. Campus is beautiful with snow or without, the heaters work, and plenty of people layer up with coats, boots, scarves, and hats. It’s not like you’re outside all the time. I volunteer at the local animal shelter – walking dogs for three hours. In the winter. So complain about cold then. 
I’m under the impression that “the students aren’t immature” being a requirement means you’re going to be searching and searching for a college. We’re 18 - 22, generally. We’re not adults. These are people figuring out how to do laundry for the first time.
There is a party atmosphere. I’m in the honors college (did you apply?) and those classes are certainly smaller, more personal, and more my kind of people. I haven’t found any friends yet, which is probably a combination of mild social awkwardness / anxiety and feeling out of place in a party school.
Good luck with your decision!
You make a good point, that wherever I go to college there will always be immature people. Unfortunately, I didn’t apply to the honors college, although I probably should have. I was kind of stressed with all the other applications…
Thanks for the input though! A lot of people have told me that you just deal with the cold and get used to it 
Ah…the Penn State “cult” impression. I’ve heard this for decades since I went to Penn State (I graduated in 1994, my husband graduated in 1990 and my daughter will be in the incoming class for 2015). Honestly, you are right…Penn State fans have IMMENSE pride in their school. If you are wondering why that is, it’s because it’s a great place for most people. There are SO many people there and so many opportunities that you will be able to find your group of people. Penn State, especially as a freshman and sophomore, have students that were in the top of the applicant pool…they are academically minded. Some also like to party. But I always found there was a balance. Work hard during the week, party hard on the weekends. But, I certainly knew many who were not partiers as well. I was and am a football fan…but not the rabid kind that you hear about on social media. I certainly didn’t know anyone who burned a couch or anything. That stuff makes the news, but it’s not the majority of students. It’s actually only a small percentage. The majority have pride in their football team as a representation of the University the love so much. Not the other way around (love the University for football). There are 900+ clubs on campus. I have a hard time believing that anyone, from anywhere, couldn’t find at least one that has “their” kind of people, as well as opportunities to build your experiences. You will not find mature 18-22 year olds anywhere, lol. Sorry 
As far as the cold…sorry - nothing you can do about that. It’s in a cold place…but it’s beautiful even when it’s cold…to me at least.
Good luck with your decision! I know it can be stressful! My D is also a DUS major and we think it’s really a well organized program set up to ensure success for the students.
It’s good to know that not everyone is like that And yes, I’m super interested in the DUS major, I think it would be a lot of help. Thanks!
It’s only really cold from late November until mid-March, and the worst of it is Dec-Jan and you’ll be on break for a lot of that.
The party school phenomena is a problem, but I will say that it isn’t very different than any other big school. Also, there are plenty of people who did not come here to just get drunk every weekend and throw up on strangers’ cars (mine!) If you have a strong moral objection to reckless behavior, and I appreciate that, you may well be happier at a smaller conservative school. But that’s a risk as far as career, when you haven’t chosen a major.
The cult thing. I’m not a PSU grad. My own alma maters ( BA, MA) mean very little to me, I don’t give them money, I don’t follow their teams, I don’t read the alumni magazines much. so, for me, I do think some of the Penn State fans cross right over “enthusiastic” into " woah" and some more go to “unhealthy”. As a group, they tend to be a little defensive about their enthusiasm, and as a group, can be rather humorless about any criticism. That might be how most big schools are, and I’m not sure it’s the sort of thing academic choices are best based on. As individuals, they are unfailingly helpful, engaging, hard working, and serious about making a difference. Not a bad group to be part of
You can always check out the gateway programs into Schreyer, if you’re interested. Paterno Fellows is one.
So I can still get into Schreyer while I’m at Penn State?
It’s possible, yes! I would research the requirements. I don’t know much about the nitty gritty details.
^yes, that’s Paterno Fellows. Try to apply - all you have to do is register and “take up the challenge”, ie., register for honors courses your first year. If you have a 3.5 cumulative you can enter Shreyer as a sophomore (unless your chosen major has special requirements - only 6 of them do, like International Relations, French, English, or Criminology.)
http://www.la.psu.edu/current-students/undergraduate-students/paterno-fellows
I don’t know if this is still available, but you used to be able to select honors housing as an SLO even if you weren’t in the honors college.
You expressed the same concerns about University of Delaware. If you “want to be surrounded by moral people who aren’t immature,” and if any participation in partying will be judged by you as lesser morality, you might be more comfortable in a small, religious school where behavior and thought are prescribed… If you view college as an opportunity to expand your knowledge/experience/ exposure to people of other cultures/interests/philosophies, then both PSU and UD will afford you that opportunity. You cited weather as a major concern in your foray into college life-of the two, UD has milder weather.
FYI: gateway admission is handled by Departments (BMB, MATH etc). Each have their own requirements. A few allow admission after freshman year. Most after the sophomore year (used to be called junior gate, but this term has fallen out of favor). The department I have knowledge of requires As in 6 capstone courses in the major and a GPA >3.5.
Students can take a few steps to increase their chances (in addition to obtaining a high GPA)- First, take honors courses. Most HCs are not reserved for honors students. However, since honors students register first, they may become filled with honors students. Keep your eye out. Second, get involved in a research project that could evolve into an honors thesis. Not just science and ENG have research opportunities. Third, get involved in significant discipline-related/service ECs. for example, Women in science and Eng, habitat for humanity etc. Not the Harry potter or bay at the moon club. (no disrespect to HP fans, but these types of ECs may be fun, but if that’s all you have…well….).