<p>I'm just wondering if I could visit campus and get a real feeling of its atmosphere by visiting it without official tour. What do you think? Its website says that there are no tours after 8/10/13. Is that true? I mean, in any other colleges there are tours available whole summer long and I plan on visiting Penn State on 7/13 or 7/14? Whad can I do?</p>
<p>You can walk the campus, visit the buildings like Pattee, eat lunch at the HUB, shop downtown, walk around (but not in) the stadium, visit the Arboretum, - you won’t get all the info, but it will certainly be worth the trip. </p>
<p>Summer graduation is August tenth, and 2nd summer session ends the 7th. So all students who were here in dorms go home and the campus preps for the start of school. That’s why there are no tours.But if you get lost or have questions, people on campus are really friendly and willing to help.</p>
<p>related to what greenbutton described, I would highly recommend making a visit when classes are in session. Even in the summer, when classes are in session, isn’t the best. Here’s another little secret: during the summer, even if you sign up for tours, you might get “substitute” tour guide. These guides do not know nearly as much as the more experienced ones.
If you visit when classes are in session, you could contact the department of the major you are interested in. They can give you a list of the locations and meeting times of classes that you can sit in on- here’s a chance to find out what a college course is like!
Remember, the tour isn’t very long. There is plenty of time to go off on your own and explore. I highly recommend the college-specific info sessions.</p>
<p>The department can also set up lab visits and meeting with faculty, if you are interested,</p>
<p>I visited during the spring semester last year when classes were in full session and I felt like it was the same as when I went for orientation over the summer this year. During the week the campus feels very quiet and orderly for a school of 40,000. I personally don’t think you’ll miss much one way or the other. </p>
<p>But you really don’t need the tour. Its just nice to have someone walk you around. With minimal research effort you can figure out the campus layout and basic information of buildings before you get there. You probably won’t feel out of place either, there’s always families walking around campus for the same reason you are.</p>
<p>Thank you all for fast responses. Unfortunately I can’t visit campus during normal school year. I’ve already taken part in tours at NYU, BU and BC. There was always one hour talk about college and admission process (the same stuff that I found on their websites) and walking tour around campuses. Will I be able to get inside most of the buildings on campus?</p>
<p>Yes. Unlike city universities most buildings are accessible. for security reasons you can’t go into the dorms, at least not where the rooms are located</p>