Hey, everyone! I was recently accepted into Penn State - University Park’s College of Communications with the intended major of Advertising/Public Relations for the fall of 2017. I plan to use my degree to become an agency creative.
I know that Penn State has an incredible alumni network and is an internationally recognized university, but how strong are their communications programs? From what I read on their website and what I heard on my visit, I’m led to believe that you don’t technically enter your major until second semester of sophomore year. Do students only take gen ed’s up until that point?
How competitive is it to get internships are the big advertising firms with hundreds of students in your class? Are students able to take courses in things like copywriting and art direction? I realize that there is no Ad Lab-equivalent course, so what opportunities do students have to develop projects for major national brands for their portfolios?
I see that there is an advertising club on campus. Does this club just hold panels and workshops, or does it compete in AAF competitions to give students real-world experience?
These are just a few questions I have. How does Penn State’s CoC stack up to programs like Ithaca’s Park School and Boston University? All comments are appreciated. If any College of Communications students want to give insight, that would be fantastic. Thanks!
http://comm.psu.edu/current/advising/academic-plans-suggested-schedules Here’s a start re: courses – recommended academic plans for Advertising and Public Relations. It does look like mostly gen eds before 4th semester.
Comm has an excellent record with internships – ambitious proactive students would have no trouble landing something. You do mostly concentrate on gen eds because PR is such a competitive major to get into, so you don’t want to have a bad gpa when etm time comes at the end of sophomore year.
There are many many ways you can garner experience on campus, and not just through the official club. The Park School does have more scholarships and more from-the-start PR work, but nobody can beat PSU’s connections and massive job fairs. You might also want to look into one of the Entrepreneurship minors, which give a lot of pitching and product development coursework.
@bodangles I haven’t seen this before, thanks! I’ll definitely take a look at it.
@greenbutton While there are definitely plenty of media outlets for students to gain writing experience, do you think there are enough opportunities to write for actual brands? I agree, Penn State has an unparalleled amount of connections because of the massive alumni network, which is one of the reasons why I’m so indecisive.
Just a follow-up question: Does anyone know the advertising/PR’s employment rate after graduation? I know when I visited other schools, their program usually hovers around the mid-90’s,
I did find out about the Nittany Group, which, from what I’ve read, I believe to be Penn State’s branch of the AAF. Are freshmen allowed to participate in the competitions too?
Innovation Park was very impressive.
@Swimming123 What does Innovation Park have to do with the College of Comm? Aside from helping students with start ups, it seems more research-oriented.
@NotSoSerious When i visited the College of Communications they gave me a tour or the school and then sent me to Innovation park to see the facilities used by the communications school. It was a few minute car ride from main campus. It’s where they have the newsroom, various multi-media production areas, editing labs, audio labs and radio stations. Was that location not Innovation park?? I took pictures at the anchor desk for fun.
@Swimming123 I haven’t gotten to tour the College of Comm yet, but I plan to next weekend during the Accepted Students Day. I’ll definitely check out the Innovation Park too. Thanks for the info!