Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

What kind of person should not attend this school?

Alvin

Someone that likes to be part of a small community. Penn State is a very large school, it is easy to feel like just a number here. If you prefer a smaller, more personal setting- this isn't the place for you.

Christine

Do not attend PSU if you are uncomfortable with large schools and many students. Many introductory classes are huge and you do not get a chance to really interact with the professors in these circumstances. Additionally, there is a lot of competition to get into these classes as well a tremendous competition over off campus housing. Apartment housing here is often expensive and outdated because of the large monopoly of realestate in town. Many people have to camp out for a chance to get an apartment. In conclusion, if you are not competitive, PSU is not for you.

jasmine

If someone isn't willing to work hard, then they should not apply. If someone is not social at all or not willing to become somewhat social, then Penn State is not a good school for you.

Ivana

Quiet, shy, introverted person who doesn't care for parties or drinking. Though there are groups here that accept all sorts of people, it can be hard for some people to feel like they belong because they make personal choices that are against the Penn State norm. Al lot of students seem to be here to party and have a good time, which can be not only frustrating for students who are here for academics, but it can also cripple the academic experiences for such students; classes have to be held back to accomdate students who don't care.

Brad

Someone willing to work hard, because the classes are challenging. But there's also lots of time for fun, and if you're a football fan this is a great place to be.

Kristina

A person who really wants small and one-on-one teaching.

Raneka

I wouldn't recommend this school to someone who isn't very big on being involved with the on campus life, Penn State is big on school events and almost all the students are involved in some way or another.

Caitlin

There is no kind of person who shouldn't attend this school.

Nazlin

Penn State has everything for everyone; you name it we’ve got it: singing clubs, sports clubs, Pokémon club, Qudditch club, religious clubs, cooking clubs,and the gamers club (my personal favorite). I believe that a person shouldn’t attend this school if they aren’t able to prioritize their time, or willing to meet new people. At Penn State you’re going to be taking challenging class, your also going to be surrounded by an amazing student body that’s going to make you want to join everything and meet everyone.

Stephanie

If someone does not want to attend a big campus, the Main Campus is not for them. We have tens of thousands of students and faculty on campus and downtown at all times.

William

The campus can be quite intimidatting at first but once settled in can seem small. Somone who might not do well would be someone who does not handle well to being away from home or someone who needs a small personal experience. Some of the entrance course can be quite large. To do well here at Penn State you would need to be motivated to work hard and know how to reach out if you do need help.

Melissa

Every person should

Jason

You SHOULD NOT attend Penn State if you are undisciplined. The night life in State College is booming, and there is a lot to become distracted by. A good candidate for PSU will be able to balance having a good time with getting a quality education. If you cannot handle doing that, the place will eat you alive.

Katherine

A person who likes a small intimate setting or an urban setting should not attend Penn State University Park.

SARA

People who don't like to walk a lot shouldn't attend Penn State as it is a walking campus. I don't think this school is a good fit for people with physical limitations. There are a lot of stairs on campus and I believe it would be very hard for handicapped individuals to commute to class. Although I am positive that Penn State will appropriately accommodate those with handicaps. I also believe if you have strong conservative beliefs you should choose a different college. Penn State is very liberal and the professors will and do speak freely.

Ayodeji

I believe every student who is willing to open up their minds and learn something new is free to attend the school. When it comes to who shouldn't attend Penn State, i think everyone should attend the school even though its known for the parties and not the academics.

Tristan

A person should not attend Penn State if they do not like to have a sense of pride for their school or if they do not want to be a member of a cohesive community. Niether should they attend if they do not have a strong will to work hard, learn new things, or engage in teamwork activities.

Alison

Someone who wants a more intimate university environment and more one on one interaction with professors and fellow students. Many of the classes at Penn State - Main Campus are large lectures, sometimes with over 500 students. In order, to have more one on one time with professors, a student must make a concerted effort and seek the professor out on their own time.

Daniela

People who are uncomfortable with large crowds should definitely not attend this school. With a student population of over 45,000, Penn State is one of the largest universities in the country.

Mario

If you are a person with an alternative lifestyle of any type, whose parents do not pay the entirity of your tution and who cannot handle an intense workload, I would not recommend attending Penn State. If you are not self-motivated and driven to excel, then you will likely get sucked into the same mediocrity and career oriented mindset as other Penn Staters. If you have dreams that exceed the limits of jobs and salaries, if you truely wish to help this world, I would not suggest Penn State unless you can personally drive yourself to achieve this.

Johanna

People who don't want to attend a university with a lot of people. This is a huge campus with thousands of people so it is very difficult to meet people. Someone who cannot bear the cold weather shouldn't go here either because it gets extremely cold here really early in the year.

Jennifer

Someone who wants a very personalized education should avoid Penn State. There are a lot of students, and the professers are very research oriented, so you get thrown into the same situations as everyone else in your class.

Tim

It is a big school, so if you prefer a small town atmosphere then you should go elsewhere. It is also in the middle of nowhere, so if you are a city person, you should probably avoid Penn State. State College is a great town, but it's no city.

Jacqueline

I think that everyone should attend this school because it is absolutely amazing and there is a place for everyone here.

Kelsey

I think most people would find Penn State a great place to continue their education, however it is not for everybody. People who would prefer to be in a smaller more laid back campus atmosphere would not feel as comfortable here as they might at another, more intimate campus. Especially when considering class sizes, if someone wants a much more personal relationship with their professors and a lower student to teacher ratio this may not be the best learning environment for them.

Dominic

It takes a lot of self discipline to be able to stay on track with the courses and motivate yourself to study when there are no in class checkups or teachers getting on you because you are behind. You have to have the ability to teach yourself the work and also communicate effectively with the instructor when you have any questions. When it comes to group projects, the ability to complete timely work by the required deadline is a must because you hold other students futures in your hands with your work.

Nick

Penn State is a very big public university with an insane amount of people from diverse backgrounds. Students who find themselves uncomfortable in big crowds and a city like atmoshpere may find this campus overwhelming. In addition, class sizes are big at penn state and usually contain hundreds of kids. Students who have trouble learning in a class this big where interaction with the teacher is difficult might not want to come here. Therefore, students that should not come here are students who find themelves uncomfortable in big crowds and a huge campus and have trouble learning in big classes.

Eric

Penn State is a very diverse school with a lot of students. If you are willing to put yourself out there and meet new people and join clubs you will fit right in to the Penn State family. You should be willing to work hard in class and have just as much fun out side of class.

Naveeta

If you are not a hardworking, focused person, I would say not to come to this school. This school, as I mentioned earlier, is a fast paced school. The work here is very intense, but possible to maintain if you have good time management skills. Someone that wants to come to this school have to be very well in managing their time in studying and social life.

Caryn

The type of person who should not attend Penn State is somebody who is unmotivated and unwilling to do work. It takes a lot of effort to do well in classes. One has to put a lot of time into their studies., but that is not al that they have to put time into. Penn State is a really big school, and there is so much to get involved with. Somebody who is not inerested in participating in community services or other activitites such as sports, should not chose to go to Penn State.

Megan

Everyone should attend this school! If you like bigger schools, we can definitely give you what you are interested in. And even if you like smaller schools, don't be intimidated by our size! You can make this school as big or as small as you like by getting involved and being active on campus.

jasmine

Penn state is a very culturally diverse school that can be suitable for everyone. I do not think there is any kind of person who should not attend this school. Everyone will fit in somewhere

Holly

I don't think there is any one person who shouldn't attend Penn State, with the exception of those want to major in Pharmacy since PSU doesn't offer that program. I've realized that there is a huge variety of students, both academically and artistically strong, that it seems that no one would be excluded. It's big enough for that 'city' feel but still rural to give the appearance of the small town which is what most people are used to coming from Central PA and what I found out I didn't like about Pitt.

Mark

The most common person on this campus is a nice, outgoing, sporty, guy and attractive girls. Penn State is big enough and small enough that everyone can find their niche group.

Julius

People who are into technical fields and those also relating to engineering fields. Although there are programs available to study with, this is not necessarily a school that specializes in such fields of study. Also, some of the main fields do have valid applications to technical or engineering fields in which a student can gain useful experience here and then transfer to other intitutions.

Stella

If you are looking for a small campus with small classes, this is not the school for you. The campus is huge with thousands of students.

Sikandar

Penn State University does not provide a bustling city atmosphere that some students enjoy. In addition, it does not provide for people who require lots of attention and wish for a small university environment. However, what Penn State lacks in one-on-one student learning, it makes up in a community spirit that encourages students to do there best.

Nick

A person that shouldn't attend this school is somone who doesn' like big schools with a lot of students and staff. But even then this school has many other options; like attending one of their other campuses, which are a lot smaller. These smaller campuses give their students their undivided, one-on-one attention. There are endless possiblities with this extraordinary school.

Jordan

Penn State University is a school for students who will be responsible in their studies and who will not get easily distracted by the amount of activity on campus. It is such a large school that is is easy for people to not get as much out of classes as they should. A person attending this school should be responsible enough to go to large classes where their presence is not necessary, and someone who will do the work when they do not have someone constantly making sure their on top of everything.

Megan

A person that should not attend this school would be someone who loves the city life. State College is like a bubble, there is a 'downtown' with shops, restaurants, and clubs but is not huge like New York, Chicago, etc. I had a roomate from Cleveland, Ohio. She ended up transferring after her Sophomore year ,at Penn State University, because she said she missed the city and felt like this small town, State College, was boring and didn't offer as much.

Michael

People who want really small campuses.

Stephanie

If you are a slacker, then you should not attend PSU. The courses are not extremely hard to pass, but they definitely require both time and effort.

Eric

Someone who really doesn't have any goals, or never took school seriously. If you're only here to party, you're going to fail.

Jessica

Anyone from lower income families should not come here. Different majors can also be gender, racially, and financially discriminating.

Audrey

A person who isn't outgoing shouldn't attend Penn State. There are so many people and different things to do here that you have to get involved and put yourself out there to really make the most of the experience.

Colleen

This college is very accomodating to all types of people, but i guess the people who shouldn't attend would be the ones who don't want to be involved and social, because without involvement and social activities college would be no fun. Also if a person doesn't like large lecture halls, they might not like this school because most of the general education classes are taken in a 300-700 person lecture hall, but all classes relating to your major will be in smaller classrooms.

STEPHANIE

A person who is goal driven should attend this school. They need to be focused and able to keep up with the work load because there is much to learn. The person also needs to open to variety.

Karen

I think anyone would find a place to fit it

Brittany

Penn State University Park is not for a very shy person nor someone who needs smaller classes. Many classes consist of over 100 students so you will never get that one on one attention like in high school unless you actively go to a teacher's office hours. Getting to know people at this school means expanding your horizons and taking an initiative to join clubs and go to meetings.

Kevin

Penn State is so diverse that anyone can attend and be able to fit in.