<p>Right now Penn state is my top choice..everything's awesome there and it appears to be perfect to me. Is there any negatives that students that are attending or that have previously attended have to say about it?
Honesty is appreciated</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/penn-state-university-park/1110780-out-state-stay-far-away-psu.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/penn-state-university-park/1110780-out-state-stay-far-away-psu.html</a></p>
<p>check this thread for some different opinions.</p>
<p>I know some people, at penn state, that think diversity is stupid… Even on CC, some people need to take a chill pill! They get very offended when they hear that penn state is not diverse. They have an attitude of “If you want diversity, Penn state is not for you.” I dont know how crap like that flies under the radar but, hey, they have been doing it since the 1850s so I am not about to complain right now. I want to go there too!! At least it is not as bad as some schools in the south.</p>
<p>Thanks pamom but it just sounds like that guy had a terrible experience because of personal reasons. All the comments seemed positive</p>
<p>Creacher when I visited there seemed to be a good amount of diversity, around as much as I’ve seen at the other schools I looked at. And are you a rising senior?</p>
<p>yes sir, I have a score of friends who go to Penn state and they said that their friends and them are willing to take down the diversity at penn state, Of course, at first my, reaction was that “it is only a select group of people.” But i started to notice that it was more popular as I stayed at penn state as a freshman during the elections. I found it very frighting that a number of students were complaining that they had been threatened and called “the word”… After that I looked at the carts- 85% white (two years ago). today it is still 75% white, [College</a> Search - Penn State University Park - Penn State - At a Glance](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board), not uncommon in the IVYs but very uncommon for a state school. Oh what do numbers mean? I posted a question if the honors college did affirmative action and, oh boy, some of them jumped at me. I was protecting penn state, saying it was diverse, and I went to them for back up and they prove me wrong. Sorry my English is all over the place… I wrought it in a rush… :)</p>
<p>haha it’s no problem dude and yeah those numbers are a little shocking. However the rest of the school seems great and I won’t avoid it just bc there’s not a lot of diversity</p>
<p>So, if you read through the “Out of State? Stay far away from PSU” thread, you may have seen a few posts from me. Without entirely repeating what I said there, I’ll para-phrase…</p>
<p>I have two problems with the OP:</p>
<p>The first is that for all the issues that they mention about diversity, you never hear anyone talking about how they stood up for someone else is those situations. Chances are pretty good they laughed it off and said nothing even if they disapproved of what was said. In my opinion, if you don’t have the guts to take a stand against racism, or whatever you want to call it, don’t bother complaining about it, because you are just contributing to the problem.</p>
<p>Second:</p>
<p>This is a STATE university, which is supposed to represent the population of Pennsylvania. PA is not exactly a very diverse state. However, Penn State has students from every state in the US, and many countries from all over the world. When I was there, I had roommates from PA, NJ, CO, KS, CA, OR, MN, NY…etc. I also had may close friends from other countries, including: Germany, Sweden, Thailand, Hong Kong, Poland, Israel, the UK, etc…</p>
<p>In short, Penn State is as diverse of a place as you want to make it.</p>
<p>Most of the negatives to PSU revolve around a few specific issues:</p>
<p>1) Expense. OOS or international is very expensive, but even in-state tuition is very high for a state school. That having been said, this is somewhat academic (ha-ha) since PSU is still good for the price, is not really a state school, and cannot be compared apples-to-apples with schools that will no be in-state for you.</p>
<p>2) Environs. I grew up in State College. Compared to many other campuses, it is not a very exciting town, and there is a big cultural gap between the school and much of the surrounding county, complete with friction. This is not a problem for everyone, but it is a problem for some.</p>
<p>3) Diversity. Talked to death, but for a large public university it is not very diverse, and since it is smack-dab in the middle of backwoods PA there is a little more racial prejudice than you would accept. What diversity there is seems mostly confined to Asians, Europeans, and the athletic teams. Black and Hispanic populations are pretty low.</p>
<p>FWIW, I went there and still think its a great school, but NO place is perfect and acting like it is just makes you look silly.</p>
<p>I’ll add a few more items that come up in discussions about Penn State:</p>
<p>4) Large Lectures: Penn State’s huge size means large (500 person) lectures for introductory classes; this type of educational experience is not for those who seek personal interaction with their professors.</p>
<p>5) Controlled Majors: Depending on the major you want, you may not get in due to enrollment controls. Majors like Finance and Accounting are competitive and you have to earn a minimum GPA.</p>
<p>6) Party Scene: Penn State is known as a party school. This is not for everyone. The party culture may be a distraction that keeps some people from putting enough time into their studies.</p>
<p>Here is some more past discussions about diversity at Penn State. Then again, this may not be an issue for psuperson. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/penn-state-university-park/1047861-diversity-penn-state.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/penn-state-university-park/1047861-diversity-penn-state.html</a></p>
<p>
As has been pointed out many times on this forum: PSU is not a STATE university. The lack of state funding for PSU does represent the wishes of the population.</p>
<p>Oh- and one more thing</p>
<p>7) Housing. On Campus Housing is only guaranteed for freshman. Housing for sophomores and above is by lottery, sometimes people end up in supplemental housing or not getting housing at all.</p>
<p>@ aglages…</p>
<p>Penn State IS a STATE school…technically, though it operates much like a private university with respect to how it raises and uses money (i.e. a new $50+ mil every couple years, paid for mostly by donations)…</p>
<p>My point was that it exists, specifically as an institution to provide “low cost”, quality education to the citizens of PA.</p>
<p>I’m also not only refering to University Park, but more so the entire systems itself.</p>
<p>Bottom line, its a PUBLIC institution, that gets funding from the state of PA, regardless of how small that funding appropriation my be…</p>
<p>Myth: Penn State is state-owned and operated.
[Pennsylvania</a> State University - History and Traditions](<a href=“http://www.psu.edu/ur/about/myths.html]Pennsylvania”>Facts and Rankings | Penn State)</p>
<p>Technically it is not a state university. It is “state related” which is substantially different than a “state university” like IUP.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/penn-state-university-park/1178642-penn-state-most-expensive-college-2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/penn-state-university-park/1178642-penn-state-most-expensive-college-2.html</a></p>
<p>
Really? Where did you get this theory from? Perhaps you could include a link to the PSU Mission Statement or something from the State of Pennsylvania that says anything about this “state-related” school existing specifically as an institution to provide “low cost”, quality education to the citizens of PA? Let me help you with a link:
[PACU</a> - Campus Search for Students – Alphabetical Listing of all the State System of Universities](<a href=“http://www.pacu.org/campuses/public.html]PACU”>http://www.pacu.org/campuses/public.html)
…ooops that description is for universities in the "State System of Higher Education…not state-related schools like PSU.</p>
<p>I’ll add one last “negative”: you need to be self-motivated and self-reliant, moreso than smaller universities. Your advisor is not going to contact you for scheduling. (Unless you are in Schreyer). Your professors as an underclass student are not going to know you or be very available to help if you need help. There’s lots of support, but you have to go find it. Housing is, imho, very much not worth the exhorbitant cost. As for diversity, I am a PA native, and a SC resident of many years – it is true that we might not be the most diverse population, but I would not characterize SC as a town full of racist haters. Compared to other places I’ve lived (which includes Rutgers), it is amazingly tolerant and forward-thinking.</p>
<p>Damn you guys need to chill out over such minor details. No it’s not a state school, but still gets money from the PA government, hence everyone freaking out over Corbett’s budget proposal.</p>
<p>Some other “problems” people discussed (i.e. large lecture halls, housing, party scene) can also be viewed only as hindrances. If you want to get noticed by your professor in your 400 person lecture in 101 Thomas, take the initiative to go up and talk to them. Freaked out about housing? Plan ahead, and be prepared for all scenarios. The whole party thing has been been beat dead, but if you work hard before you play hard, it shouldn’t be much of an issue.</p>
<p>Not trying to be the idealistic, optimistic current student, just my two cents.</p>
<p>Ok, so this argument is ridiculous…</p>
<p>I concede that The Pennsylvania State University is not actually a State University, but rather a “State-Related” university…along with PITT, and Temple…</p>
<p>And rather, I would like to point out that the actual State University System is comprised of 14 schools, all of which were…purchased…by the the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, after they had been established…</p>
<p>The Pennsylvania State University (system) is a collection of 21 Campuses all over the state of PA…</p>
<p>also, in reference to the Mission Statement:</p>
<p>“As Pennsylvania’s land-grant university, we provide unparalleled access and public service to support the citizens of the Commonwealth”</p>
<p>“Penn State, founded in 1855 as an agricultural college, admitted its first class in 1859. The Pennsylvania legislature designated Penn State as the Commonwealth’s sole land-grant institution in 1863, which eventually broadened the University’s mission to include teaching, research, and public service in many academic disciplines. Penn State has awarded more than a half-million degrees, and has been Pennsylvania’s largest source of baccalaureate degrees at least since the 1930s. Although the University is privately chartered by the Commonwealth, it was from the outset considered an “instrumentality of the state,” that is, it carries out many of the functions of a public institution and promotes the general welfare of the citizenry. The Governor and other representatives of the Commonwealth have held seats on Penn State’s Board of Trustees since the University’s founding, and the legislature has made regular appropriations in support of the University’s mission since 1887.”</p>
<p>[Pennsylvania</a> State University - Mission and Public Character](<a href=“http://www.psu.edu/ur/about/mission.html]Pennsylvania”>Penn State Mission Statement | Penn State Values | Penn State)</p>
<p>Please…some one now tell me that The Pennsylvania State University is not the largest, most capable(in terms of resources), and cost affect “State-ANYTHING” institution of higher learning…in Pennsylvania…</p>
<p>Post #8
Post #14
Post # 18
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<p>Post #14
Thanks for the quote. Despite what it may have been created for in 1863 (which is not “specifically as an institution to provide “low cost”, quality education to the citizens of PA”) it does not serve that purpose NOW. </p>
<p>
Agreed. It is ridiculous to argue with either the uninformed or ignorant. If you don’t know then don’t insist that you do.</p>