<p>Just a note that some of the guide books classify PSU as an "urban" environment. I know that sounds silly when you compare State College to a big city like Philly or Pitt. But the environment is quite different than I thought - I was surprised when I visited. I pictured a big industrial campus in the middle of a cornfield (so many people talk about the cows and the cornfields!). Well, it certainly is quite isolated, mountainous (and pretty) on the outskirts. But once you get on campus, you see that it is surrounded by a bustling town with many restaurants and stores as well as a movie theatre, arts theatre and more. The center of campus is beautiful and green with large stately Elms. I was impressed. I thought it was very similar in set up to UNC, Chapel Hill. No it's not really an urban campus. But it is quite different than some of the schools we looked at that were in the middle of nowhere and are also surrounded by nothing (like UConn). If you are a real city person, it's probably not your cup of tea - but it does offer a traditional college town atmosphere. Don't knock it unless you've seen it.</p>
<p>State College is comparable to Chapel Hill, toneranger? Maybe, apart from the weather, the fact that State College is 3 hours from the nearest city and UNC is under a 30 min drive to Raleigh or Durham, and College Prowle r gives State College a "C" for local atmosphere and Chapel Hill a "B+".</p>
<p>State College is a drinking town, simple as that. Yes, it looks nice from a visit, but you don't get an actual feel for a town by visiting it. There are some nice restaurants and good pizza, an okay movie theater, some stores (most selling PSU gear.) I wouldn't call it a bustling town. Especially during summers and holidays. I don't know how you got to PSU, but I definately passed plenty of cows and cornfields on my way there. The campus is quite beautiful, but you cannot choose a school based on how many trees there are.</p>
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Just a note that some of the guide books classify PSU as an "urban" environment. I know that sounds silly when you compare State College to a big city like Philly or Pitt. But the environment is quite different than I thought - I was surprised when I visited. I pictured a big industrial campus in the middle of a cornfield (so many people talk about the cows and the cornfields!). Well, it certainly is quite isolated, mountainous (and pretty) on the outskirts. But once you get on campus, you see that it is surrounded by a bustling town with many restaurants and stores as well as a movie theatre, arts theatre and more. The center of campus is beautiful and green with large stately Elms. I was impressed. I thought it was very similar in set up to UNC, Chapel Hill. No it's not really an urban campus. But it is quite different than some of the schools we looked at that were in the middle of nowhere and are also surrounded by nothing (like UConn). If you are a real city person, it's probably not your cup of tea - but it does offer a traditional college town atmosphere. Don't knock it unless you've seen it.
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<p>Seeing is Believing</p>
<p>Btw, I agree with you.</p>
<p>hey pat, lol, we already know that you hate Penn State so why not go and hang out on the Pitt boards?
I visited both campuses (UNC and PSU) so I think i have a right to comment. Yes, PSU is pretty far from a big city. Not TOO far though from exciting cities like NYC, Philly and DC - and plenty students go on to get internships and jobs in those cities. Raleigh Durham does have a cool tech corrider but it's certainly not a big city. I have a relative who goes to UNC and she say she nevers goes into RD - plenty to do on campus. Many of the DUKE kids come visit Franklin St - it's a nice spot.</p>
<p>toneranger, I never said I hated PSU. These boards are meant to help kids choose a college, and having people sit here saying how perfect a school is does not help. Future students need to know the positives and negatives of a school in order to choose the right one, and I am simply here to share my experiences. Not everyone loves the school that they go to, and not everyone has a great experience. I spent two years at PSU and I hated it, and I'm here to share why. Personally, I think people enjoy hearing something about PSU other than "Dude, the football games are awesome!"</p>
<p>Yes you hated it - we can tell. There are disgruntled transfer students at any school -even the best schools. Even at Pitt! PSU was obviously not a good fit for you personally. I agree that balanced feedback is good but you keep driving home the same issues - and pumping up Pitt - and it's getting annoying. I think both schools are good and valid options for many students. At the moment, Pitt is just not as well known as PSU and I can tell that you're trying to change that and get students to give it a shot. Nothing wrong with that. But everyone's personal experience is different - plenty of students LOVE Penn State and they're not all dumb jocks. Just like you're on the boards trying to dispel the old steeltown myth for Pitt, I would like to help readers understand that PSU is more than an big old farm college in the middle of a cornfield. But it seems like your up there posting a contrary opinion every chance you get.
One of our neighbors went to Pitt and hated it - not sure why - I just chalked it up to a bad personal fit. The best thing any student can do is spend a few days on campus and see what feels right. Give Penn State a try - and Pitt too. Both are fine schools.</p>
<p>having a child recently accepted to University Park, all of this talk of drinking and partying is not making me feel safe for him. Is this really all that goes on?</p>
<p>I started school here in the spring and so far, from what I can tell, about 84% of the people here like to drink and party regularly. From my personal observation, socializing is definitely a priority over academics. think of it as high school. The conversation you hear on the streets here are comparable to what goes on in high school hallways. In that sense, psu is definitely not academic powerhouse full of intelectual minds. However, a certain student will only become a part of the partying/drinking scene if he/she opts to. Unfortunately, however, if you don't drink and don't share this type of mentality, it is likely that it will be difficult to fit in since your roomate and most people around will be inviting you to parties and to go out and have a drink--keep saying no and pretty soon they will stop inviting you along all together. Nevertheless, many people here are focused and work hard to get good grades, they are just not contientious enough to pull that 4.0 or ace exams. One other thing, you will not be able to study in your dorm room. And even at the library, I recommend buying some earplugs ( students here will answer the phone and have a converstion pretty much everywhere).</p>
<p>Pat seems to be frustrated at the careless attitude on the student's part, which is natural. it is important to note,though, that what goes on at psu is widely common at most large state schools, such as osu, ut, uf, you name it. So, if you are going to a a large state school, expect to hear the same complaints over and over.</p>
<p>I'm a freshman at University Park, and let me tell you, PSU students party and drink a LOT.</p>
<p>mightynick, do you?
and what is your major? Also, how is your transferring process going btw?</p>
<p>I'd heard it was 86% What a relief. PSU's one of only a few places that gives credit for independent study on the economic and social merits of ordering Rolling Rock pony bottles by the case at the Skeller.</p>
<p>Lot's of drinking that gets in the news, simply because they're are few murders, rapes, etc. in State College. Go to Pitt if you'd prefer those type of local headlines. </p>
<p>And they're are MANY, many young people who've found other outlets and vices. But no news there, and that does not fit the Penn State urban mythology. While kids are just that, this will be more a test of your offspring's upbringing and motivation for matriculation than it will be his susceptibility to the disease of alcoholism or at least an 18 or 19 year old's proclivity for suds. Either way, he'll see plenty of drunks there, unfortunately. </p>
<p>But that noted, no doubt alcohol consumption is one of the key symptoms (not reasons) for why a great many students fail to arrive in Happy Valley for semester #3. Nearly every student who goes there, as this forum reveals, has plenty of smarts. And they're are a great many. They were not sufficiently mature or scared to handle/avoid the temptations of College Ave. You'll have a pretty good idea about your son, I suspect, before he ever leaves home. It's not that it's more prevalent than many other mega-U's; rather it's just more obvious, notably on football weekends and many a Saturday night.</p>
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mightynick, do you?
and what is your major? Also, how is your transferring process going btw?
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<p>i've been to a few parties, but i avoid drinking. I just hate the atmosphere. Sometimes I'm just shocked at the immaturity of college students!!</p>
<p>I'm a Business Major (accounting). Just sent my transfer application today :). Oh boy, those essays took a long time!</p>
<p>Good to hear and best of luck to you. Did you apply to schreyer as well or just the state school you mentioned on the other thread? what hall do you dorm at? I will try to apply to schreyer next year. If I don't get in, I will probably go back to NY or transfer to another state school as well. You said madison and pitt don't require recs?</p>
<p>patriotmom - My son is a freshman at PSU. Of course, I only know what he shares and what I have seen when visiting campus, but I think he's been pretty frank with me. There are quite a few students who drink heavily. I agree with WP that a good number of these students will not make it to the third semester. But there are serious students - even among those who party. My son got a 4.0 last semester, does volunteer work for THON and other organizations, participates in a sports clubs, and takes music lessons. From what I can tell, he also regularly goes to the frat and apartment parties - on Thu-Saturday. He studies in his dorm and does not need earplugs. He LOVES the football games and he LOVES PSU, as do many of his friends. No, it's NOTHING like U of Chicago where you'll find quiet intellectual types. Even so, I think intellectual students can find like minds if they search hard enough and join in the many activities and clubs offered.<br>
Back to the drinking - I think it goes on on many campuses. It may be more visible at a big state U (and not just PSU) since more kids are out stumbling around on the weekends. It seems the more frats there are the more drinking there is. As schools like Wash & Lee and Lehigh (both big frat schools), we noticed heavy drinking cultures, just on a smaller scale.
Mighty Nick - if you hate the drinnking atmosphere, be sure it's a better scene wherever you're going. Even the top state schools like Wisc and Mich have big drinking cultures (my neighbor can back me up here!)</p>
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Good to hear and best of luck to you. Did you apply to schreyer as well or just the state school you mentioned on the other thread? what hall do you dorm at? I will try to apply to schreyer next year. If I don't get in, I will probably go back to NY or transfer to another state school as well. You said madison and pitt don't require recs?
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<p>I don't think you can apply to schreyer before sophomore year. I live in Pollock...the location's great!</p>
<p>I applied to michigan and virginia. But I think big state schools like madison and pitt don't require recommendations.</p>
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patriotmom - My son is a freshman at PSU. Of course, I only know what he shares and what I have seen when visiting campus, but I think he's been pretty frank with me. There are quite a few students who drink heavily. I agree with WP that a good number of these students will not make it to the third semester. But there are serious students - even among those who party. My son got a 4.0 last semester, does volunteer work for THON and other organizations, participates in a sports clubs, and takes music lessons. From what I can tell, he also regularly goes to the frat and apartment parties - on Thu-Saturday. He studies in his dorm and does not need earplugs. He LOVES the football games and he LOVES PSU, as do many of his friends. No, it's NOTHING like U of Chicago where you'll find quiet intellectual types. Even so, I think intellectual students can find like minds if they search hard enough and join in the many activities and clubs offered.
Back to the drinking - I think it goes on on many campuses. It may be more visible at a big state U (and not just PSU) since more kids are out stumbling around on the weekends. It seems the more frats there are the more drinking there is. As schools like Wash & Lee and Lehigh (both big frat schools), we noticed heavy drinking cultures, just on a smaller scale.
Mighty Nick - if you hate the drinnking atmosphere, be sure it's a better scene wherever you're going. Even the top state schools like Wisc and Mich have big drinking cultures (my neighbor can back me up here!)
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<p>4.0 in schreyers honors college?!!! That's really awesome!!</p>
<p>There are lots of non-alcoholic activities at Late night penn state, but i went there yesterday and there was NO ONE there apart from me and a couple of my friends. I know there will be a drinking culture at michigan and other state schools, but i'm pretty sure its not as big as penn state's!</p>
<p>Good luck to you MightyNick. It sounds like you've made your mind up and will likely transfer. But don't give up too early. Even if you end up leaving, it will help to keep trying to branch out to meet others that have the same values as you. You know they're out there among the many thousands of students- so keep looking. Pretty sad Late Night report though....
I hope you're right about the other state school environments. I went to a big state school (many years ago) and there was a HUGE party scene. I have friends from other state schools AND privates and they report the same (with few exceptions - Univ of Chicago, Wheaton, BYU, MIT, for example). Maybe being near a big city is one of the keys - so you can escape if you want to. Do remember the "grass is always greener" rule though. Again, best of luck to you as you examine other options!</p>
<p>Mightynick, have you been to Late Nite Penn State when there have been a lot more students? I remember someone saying that it's so crowded there. My son is really not into the party scene, but Late Nite sounded like a saving grace. You make PSU sound like a nightmare for non-drinkers. Any current students care to weigh in? I wonder if Wisconsin is any better; he's choosing between the two.</p>
<p>MightyNick, what classes are you currently taking? I was thinking of going to late nate penn state yesterday as well to see a movie or something like that. Have you tried joining a club or anything of the sort? Toneranger, does your son sleep in the honors dorm, because that would explain why he does not need earplugs. </p>
<p>plaid, Psu is NOT a nightmare for non-drinkers; it is just that people who don't drink might have a hard time fitting in since the vast majority of social interactions here revolve around the party scene. In other words, there are countless opportunities to have fun and be involved in school activities, but outside the classroom(after the class is over or on weekends) most students want to go bars/drink and if you don't, it can get pretty boring. So, the problem is not with the school, but with the students' attitude. I personally wish people here were more astute and diligent, but then again, it is a large football school.</p>
<p>frasi - yes he's in the honors dorm. His friends in other SLOs like business and arts/music report MUCH quieter dorms so that's really to way to go for non-party animals (although there are some partiers in every dorm I'm sure).</p>