<p>Okay I'm highly considering applying to Penn State (I'm a junior right now), but I'm worried I will die in the city of State College.</p>
<p>Location is a big factor for me, which is why I'm applying to schools in Miami, Santa Barbara, Malibu, and San Diego.</p>
<p>But Penn State has everything I want (great academics, especially business, big time football with amazing school spirit, crazy party school, athletic student body, and an overall fun and laid-back atmosphere), but the city, I don't know if I could live in such a small town. </p>
<p>So I'm asking is State College that bad? I know I will love all the athletics and frat parties, but is there any other options. Nightclubs? Bars? </p>
<p>Also is there a lot of restaurants to choose from? </p>
<p>Haha SoCal, prepare for an extreme weather shock. The average weather for this time of year in State College is a high of 32 and a low of 18, with LOTS of rain year round.</p>
<p>There is one nightclub in State College, "Players." It is quite often crowded and usually has a long wait outside. The bar scene is better, there are a bunch of bars in town.</p>
<p>There is your usual assortment of chain restaurants.</p>
<p>I do not know of any ski resorts that are right in the area, but there are several within about a 2 hours drive. There might be some closer, I just do not know of any.</p>
<p>Tussy mountain is a 10 minute drive. We're not talking a big-time ski mountain here but the kids go there regularly. There is a ski club and they go on regular trips. Other (bigger) mountains are about a 1.5- 2 hour drive.
Spend a weekend at State College and see what you think. It's not at all comparable to a big city (more like a VERY small city) but there ARE things to do (movies, theatre events, bands). We've had dinner at some nice non-chain restaurants but they might be a bit pricey for most students. There are LOTS of bars - I understand that they're pretty strict about carding though. State College seems like a nice college town- but not everyone's cup of tea - so check it out for yourself.</p>
<p>Players isnt the only one...theres also Candies and also there supposed to be opening up a new 18 and older club in the near future I believe. PSU definately isnt like a "Big City" "its more just like a city :P. anyway Ive never found big cities to be all they're supposed to be cracked up to be since I have little money lol.</p>
<p>Yah I don't think State College will be that big of a deal.</p>
<p>Well I'm a junior and I'm trying to make my list. While it may seem like I have a lot of time I really don't. I have SAT's, SAT 2's, AP Tests, and my regular school work as well as having a lot of fun.</p>
<p>So as of right now Penn State is my number 3 school....after UMiami and UCSB.</p>
<p>SC is one of the best, most prototypical, the consummate "college town" you can imagine. Norman Rockwell designed it. Not unlike ... East Lansing, Madison, Bloomington, Chapel Hill, Iowa City, and others. There's little like it on a football Saturday or watching the homecoming parade. It's the way urban mythology says "college" might be.</p>
<p>But if you're urbane and looking for city lights, cosmo, and all that goes with that, best be prepared for culture shock. This is not it. </p>
<p>btw, the weather thing, while it's alot different than yours ... it's not really as bad as many perceive. The snowfall and precip are generally lower than much of the commonwealth and Northeast because of the geography. Still, it SEEMS to students that it's colder, windier, wetter, whiter, etc. than anywhere on the near planet. The stats will tell you not at all. Virtually NO snow at all this year to date (it's been a mild winter in PA). </p>
<p>But you'll need your northface layers and an umbrella. The fall and spring are spectacular, worth waiting for.</p>
<p>State College is 3 hours away by car from Pittsburgh, 5 to Philly. Harrisburg does not count. Forget that, only metro on the map. Still, if one is bored in Happy Valley, it's a choice. </p>
<p>Just a note on WP's post - we live in a close-in suburb of Philly and it takes us just slightly over three hours (no stops) to get to PSU. I think it's about 5 hours to NY.
There's a bus station downtown SC so it's easy (and pretty cheap) to escape if needed.</p>
<p>How long does it take to go from Manhattan to PSU by car? I need to know, because I don't want to be late for my engineering visit session on Feb. 13 at 10:00 AM.</p>