Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Anthony

When searching for colleges, look into the courses offered there, and make sure there is something you would like to do. Potential classes and courses of study should be something you want to do, with a faculty that can support it. Many universities have great job placement opportunities and contacts, as well as career fairs. The location is also important, as well as what kinds of things you like to do, whether it may be activities, sports, social functions, music, etc. Overall, it comes down to where you would feel the most comfortable, and where you can learn and do what you want to do.

Stephen

Make sure you know what you are getting into before you go i.e. living arrangements/cost of living, amount of classes and students, focusing on courses not the novelty of going to college. Just make sure you are ready financially and academically ready to go to college.

caitlin

I would find a college that you truly feel comfortable with and that is really worth your money. Penn State costs a lot and might not be worth it.

Miriah

If possible, both student and parent ought to visit a prospective university or college for the weekend. A great deal of character, dedication to academia, and lifestyle variety can be gathered through the 'free time' students are alloted on the weekends. In addition, research the number of volunteering, social service, and philanthropic events run by student groups.

Casey

Be sure to have enough cash to allow the student to focus on their study, instead of focus on financials.

Megan

My advice to parents would be to let your child pick the school they want to go to. Don't tell them what they should major in . They are adults now and should be treated as such. My advice to students would be to go as far as you can in school and apply for as many scholarships as you possibly can because education is only getting more expensive. Take out loans if you have to because it will be worth it when you get your degree. Also, make sure you choose a major that you will enjoy, not just something that will get you a job that makes a lot of money.

Mary

Spend time at the college your child is looking at, more than just an afternoon. It's important to immerse yourself in the campus environment to get a good feel for the needs and interests that will be met by what the school is offering.

Mei

I would recommend you to do research on several things; the campus it self, libraries, class sizes, available majors, and research. I would recommend you to visit the campus multiple times in different seasons; for example in summer, fall, and winter. The campus looks very different when it is green in summer and gray in winter. It is nice to have both images before you decide the college. Library is where you would always study and get resources for classes. It is important to have much space for study with good furnitures and computers. It is sometimes hard to study in a huge class during your freshman year when everything is new for you. For this reason, I decided to go to a branch campus first, and I transferred to the main campus in my junior year where classes are huge with three hundred or more students. I would recommend you to go to a big college if you would like to involved in a reserach project. It is great to have many options when you decided to chenge your major. These are four things I recommend you to check to find a right college.

Katherine

THink about what you want in a school and don't let other people dictate where you or your child goes to school. Think about waht you want to learn, and who can offer the most of it. Money shouldn't be an issue, but it can be. Just remember that education is an investment- so make it worth the money it is going to cost you or your family.

Mike

Don't let anyone other than yourself decide. Ignore your parents friends teachers etc. Make the right decision for your self.

Brett

You have to go somewhere that feels like home. Visit as many schools as possible and one school will give you these feelings like you belong here. Make unofficial visits and stay with friends that are already attending to experience the real college life you will live. Take every oppertunity that is given to you, try almost everything once. College is four years of your life that you do not want to regret after you leave. The responsibilities are important but to really make the most of the experience you need to be irresponsible at times. Parents need to let the kids make the decision because in the long run, the kid will be there for four years. Even if money is a problem be positive. Colleges do help out people that are really in need and deserve money for an education. You do not pick a college, a college picks you!

Miatta

I would tell parents and students to see the schools for more than a few hours before they make their decisions so they could get a better feel for the university. I would also not suggest that they go to specialty weekends(i.e. a minority recruitment weekend) for their school because it gives a biased view of the school. Going at a time when school is in session and seeing the whole student body is best. I would also take into account the means by which you can get to school because travel expenses are more than you think. When you do choose a school, i would say getting involved as soon as possible makes the transition easier because you meet people who are older that you and they guide you through things. It provides a sturdy foundation for your college career from the start. Also i would tell them to make sure they get good grades and to take their first semester slow, because getting off on the right track usually keeps you on the right track.

Nicole

Start searching as soon as possible and consider the things you like and look for that in a school.

Valerie

I would say that you should definitely visit the campus to get a feeling of what it's like. And never listen to anyone who says that a state school is never as good as a private, because it simply isn't true. There are many, many opportunities at state schools, from research to internships.

Michelle

Make sure you really research where you would like to be. Check out the campus, the student life, the extra curricular activities, where the campus is located. Be aware of the size of the school, whether you prefer smaller classes or if you don't mind larger classes. Once you have done your research thoroughly and have selected the school, go in with an open mind of the following four years of your life. Take every opportunity that arises and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Take advantage of what is offered to you at the campus you have selected. Get involved. These four years are going to be some of the best of your life, make the most out of them.

Andrew

Look at all of your options and see what school best fits your interest. Do as much homework as you can looking into each school choice. Also, make sure you take visits to each school if you can.

Carinne

College is about expectation. You need to know how a school will benefit you in the long run, while leaving some wiggle room for experience and growth. Choosing a college with a good reputation for graduates and career opportunities is key, however activities and clubs are equally important. The biggest aspect of attending college is being able to find your own voice; the opportunity to explore interests and learn who you are at the deepest levels is essential to success in your future. Expect to be challenged. Expect change. Expect the unexpected. Professors can only give you so much material and lecture for short time. The most important teacher you will have is yourself. Your own education is what you will make of it.

Maria

What I would suggest as advice to parents and/or prospective students of any college is for them to do their research on what programs will be a best fit for the prospective student. I would also suggest that they do their research on financial aid, if they need it, you never really know what's out there as a financial resource. As a possible result of not doing research, you may pass an opportunity of a lifetime!

Jenna

Make sure you can afford it before you enroll so that you don't graduate with a lot of student loan debt.

Seamus

You have to look into your own heart and know what is best for you. You can't just do what you think everyone else is doing or follow the crowd, be an independent. When it comes to looking for the right school, take everything into consideration. Do you want to go far away or stay close? And are there a lot of things to do on campus and in town? Trust me it all matters, a lot. Also, if you think you aren't going to get into school because of your grades or SAT scores, think again. I was not the best student in high school, I didn't do so well on the SAT's, and I am really not the best student now. But I got into college, and it is a good experience even just to be here. You should go where you want to go, and visit the school before you apply. I went to another school before Penn State and ended up transferring after a semester. It's a tough process. So follow your heart and listen to only yourself when it comes to making this decision. Good Luck!

Tim

There are many things that you need to look for in a college. Most importantly - you need to find a place that fits you. You need to find a school where you can learn and have fun, and meet new people and form long lasting relationships. You need a community that can foster your growth and help mold and shape you into a better person. Sure, cost, location, and other factors do matter - but college is a once in a lifetime opportunity and will ultimately shape the rest of your life. There is no wrong choice, other than not going at all. You need to find a college where you'll be happy, one that fits you and your personality. You can become active and make your education personal, and take out from your education what you want. I know I made the right choice to attend Penn State - and with events like Thon, I make my time count. I'm proud to say... WE ARE PENN STATE.

Michael

Not sure, meet as many people as you can and have fun

Adrienne

If I were to give advice to another person on how to find the right college I would tell them to do what they want instead of what other people want. In order to get the most out of your college experience, you need to know what your expectations are for yourself. If you want to come out of college with a paying job, you should look into colleges that have a high rate of placement at the time of graduation. Going to school based on what you want and not what other people want is the key to getting the most out of your college experience. You also need to research the weather at the colleges you plan on attending. Making sure you are happy with the temperature and weather is another important key to your success. Being miserable at a campus with weather you don?t like will only prove to make you less productive and unmotivated. When finding a college, the bets advice I can give anyone is to find the college that is right for you, and you will be successful.

daniel

Concentrate on the studies, making sure homework assignments are complete and accurate. In college, students are on their own. Students are responsible for being up to date in their classroom assignments. If there are changes, the professors tell the students at the onset of the semister where to find updates and changes, they do not remind the students daily. Attending a small campus right out of high school makes the transition easier for the sheltered high school graduates. The class sizes are smaller, the professors are more available. As the campus is smaller, there is the feeling of security. However, having completed al most a year and a half, I am ready to transfer to the main campus. I work part time and am able to balance school work and work as both the school are my employer have been flexible. Remember you are paying for this education, make the best of it!

Caitlin

Find the school that whets your appetite for a lifetime of learning. The one that reflects your interests, complements your personality, and helps you grow academically, emotionally, and socially. The one that gives you a sense of nostalgia even if it is the first time you have visited the campus, because that feeling will only intensify during and following the years you spend there. And make the most of your experience by exploring. Explore the geographic region, explore the campus activities, explore your desires and allow them to manifest themselves into actively trying new and different things. Crack an egg into a skillet, and recognize that this should be you. No, not on drugs, as the 90s TV commercial might suggest. It represents you breaking out of your shell and exploring what the universe and the university have to offer!

Sean

Go to a school that you will be able to explore for the entirety of the next 4 years without getting bored.

Ashley

The key to finding the right school is the moment you step foot on campus. Once you're in the environment, see the buildings, feel the energy of the students, and see the livelyhood of the school, you know if it's for you or not. While you can research school reviews, everyone's opinion of each school is different. Find the one that's right for you, not your friends, parents, or teachers. College is the best four years of your life, so pick somewhere that you'll be able to enjoy your four years, learn about yourself, and develop relationships to last a lifetime.

Angelique

Finding the perfect school can be a daunting decision to make. Through my 3 years at Penn State, I've learned there are three aspects of a university that can make the decision easier, and most successful in the end. First, find a school with a wide range of strong academic programs, because at 17, you don't always know what you want to do. If you change your mind mid way, you should be able to switch majors easily and with confidence in the new program you may select. Second, look for a school that has a wide range of extracurricular activities available, this will be one of the greatest ways to make life long friends, and prepare you for the real world - learning how to juggle numerous activities. Finally, find a school with a strong Alumni base. Take the opportunity to talk with them and learn from them. They will help you throughout your undergraduate years as well as be a wonderful tool for finding a job after graduating. This is an exciting and important step in life. When making this decison, make sure to follow your heart. You want to be happy wherever you are.

Megan

Finding the right college is really based on the needs of the students - that includes geography, people, climate and most importantly - does the school provide enough resources to successfully land you a job when you're done? Everything else is secondary.

Julieanne

My advice would be to find out as much as you can about any colleges that you or your child are thinking about attending and always make sure to apply to more than one. By researching the different colleges (and visiting them if you can) you can really get a feel if the school is right for you. Make sure to talk with past students but try not to be too swayed by strong opinions. What didn't work for them might work well for you. If you take the time to look closely at all the different aspects of a college, it is less likely that you with be surprised or disappointed by anything. And when you aren't worrying about how things are going to work out and you've found a school that is the perfect fit, you can enjoy yourself to the fullest and really make the most of your college experience.

Krystina

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Matthew

Don't hold back. Once you make your decision go in with a proactive outlook on the situation. You will never be able to succeed in life if you can not handle new situations. Yes, it may be hard to deal with the new surroundings and a different environment, but its how you deal with those situations that makes you who you are. Try to surround yourself with the right people... who are not always going to be your best friends... You need to surround yourself with people that are going to help you on your adventure through college (grades, and social situations). Have fun, because the real world awaits you... But remember the real world awaits you so don't have TOO much fun! Finally, NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. These days it's all about who you know when entering the work force. You will have unprecedent amounts of events giving you the opportunities to meet new people... take these opportunities. Always remember to have fun though... number one rule!

Kenneth

Make sure you visit the campus and its professors that the studnet will be taking classes with. Don't waster your time here because time is money

Elizabeth

Look into each college with great detail. Visit the college and ask as many questions you can about it. If you know someone personally that attends the school you are interested in, ask to meet with them so they can tell you about their personal experience and if they could would they choose their school all over again if had the change. The parents and kids should make the decision togther to find out what is the best fit for the child.

Joseph

That whether you know what major/school could best predict your future career endeavors, let yourself know that this portion of your life is experimental (at least your underclassmen years) and that it is okay to make mistake. You also have to know that those mistakes may cost you timewise and financially. You also have to make certain that you have fun throughout the college-finding process and while in college in general.

Samantha

The right college is one that has a major in the career that you one day would like to work within. You have to look at more than the majors though. You have to look at the size, what else it has to offer, such as clubs and organization, and other activities to keep you involved. Don't pick a school for the football team or the fact that your parents are alumni, you have to pick a school cause its right for you in every way.

Pat

Find a place where you can have fun and excell academically simultaneously. Make sure the size is right for you and make sure you get to know the school well before going there.

George

make sure that the size of the school and the classes are fine for you. make sure that the school is the rigth school for you for example if the school have the major that you are pursuing. make sure that you can afford the school and if the school have a good finacial aid status because some school are really expensive and they dont give a lot of scholarship. Some school are boring , they have no social activities , everyone goes home during the weekend try to make sure that the school that you are applying is not like that because you might get depress or lonely if the school is like that. at last apply to the school that you want to go not the school that your friend is going or some member of your family want you to go .

Tim

I would say you need to find something that you are passionate about and love doing before you even think about choosing a college. After you find what you love, you can pursue it at the right college and the coursework will be much easier. If you do not have a passion for something academic, then college is a good time to find that out, but it does make it a little harder to fit everything in in a financially healthy time period.

Gabrielle

Make the most of your college visits in determining the size, location, and type of school you want to attend. Talk to current students. Walk around town, check out the student centers. And most of all, go with your gut instinct. Last, but not least, if it doesn't work out, transfer. It's not the end of the world.

Jessica

Finding the right college is a daunting task for students. To find the right college, it is important to keep one quote in mind. Albert Einstein said, ?Only a life lived for others is worth living.? College is something that can be very self-entered. When applying for college many students are thinking about their advancement in academics and being prepared to find a job, but college is also about getting involved. If you go to a school where you cannot see yourself getting involved, where there is no cohesiveness between students and no connection with alumni, you are making a huge mistake. If you can?t picture yourself giving back to your school and attempting to make it a better place, you are cutting yourself short. It is through involvement and the help of others that individuals succeed. In my college experience, it seems that Einstein?s words ring to be true. If you focus on choosing a school where you can live a life for others, you will unconsciously be bettering yourself, preparing for success, and basking in every minute of college. This approach and mentality can make every students? years in college not only enjoyable, but rewarding.

Dax

My advice is to look at every aspects of the university from the classes you want to take to where you want to live. You should consider the finacial aid the school is will to offer, the size of school and number of students, campus scenery, does the school offers your major or variety of othe majors and everything that is important to you.

Kimberly

Find a place that feels like home. Make sure there is plenty to be involved in. Don't worry about big class sizes, just sit close to the front, professors are totally willing to help out. Don't make money an issue, if you find a place you love but its too expensive, take out loans, its totally worth it, trust me. Find a place you can be yourself and not worry about fitting in with a specific group. Find a place with tradition and proud alumni, that really says a lot about a school. Find a place that makes you feel secure and there are no worries about your safety. Find a place that is in a nice area with lots to do. Find a place that has tons of majors so if you need to change your mind, you can. Find a place that has a wide course selection so you can take whatever you want. Most importantly, find a place that is you. Find a place that you can be happy at for the next four years. Find THE place that is the absolute perfect fit and enjoy!

Lauren

Parents - take your children's preferences to heart - don't choose for them - I believe that by my parents allowing me to make my college choice, it has given me more drive and determination to succeed. Students - study hard and take your college experience seriously. You have the rest of your life to relax and have fun. College is the ground work to provide you with a great future and career.

Lauren

When looking for the right college can be a struggle for some students. The best thing would to first research colleges online to see what they are all about. Try to narrow down your list of colleges by looking at the degrees offered and extracurricular activities that they offer. Also, it is important for you to consider the cost, exspecially if you have to finance your own college experience by yourself. Another important factor would be to look at the class sizes. Some students don't like the idea of large classes where you could feel like just a number. After you get a list of colleges that offer the major you plan on pursuing and considered the other factors such as cost, set up an appointment to tour the campus. My tour with Penn State was the deciding factor in why I came here. Once I got to see the campus, I just knew that this was the right choice. To make the most out of your college experience, get involved in other activities and clubs. That is the best way to make friends and enjoy college. Also, make sure you make use of the resources available to you.

Ben

Come to Penn State! ~Joe Paterno. Seriously, come to Penn State--it is cheap and has tons of resources. Its especially good if you dont know what to major in, since we have over 180 majors and many are nationally ranked. To make the most of your college experience, be balanced. Spend time with freinds and spend time on work. I have found that doing one will make the other feel more satisfying. Get involved in a Christian group on campus...you wont regret it!

David

I think college is a choice you don't want to jump into. You should prepare for college in your sophmore or junior year in high school, take as many campus visits as you can, and really consider what you want out of the experience. I rushed into choosing a school that I feel doesn't really fit my style, and I have been unhappy with my experience for the most part. So really be 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure that the school you attend is what you really want to do.

Michael

When i was going over my application responses and deciding between the 4 schools that i was accepted into I kept trying to picture myself with the t-shirt of the school. I only visited 2 schools. The moment I stepped on the campus of PSU i knew it was for me. I got caught up in the enviornment of the school, the football stadium, and the beautiful girls (haha). Now i am not trying to say that i made a mistake in chosing Penn State, but what i am trying to say is that there is more to a school than the football team and its people. I got really lucky in finding out that Penn State has one of the top 3 Hospitality Programs in the country. My best advice is to try and find out how good the school you are interested in is at setting you up for a career. How far is that school going to go to get companies to not only come and interview you, but fight over you. I want a school that gives me all the opportunities to be successful in my career, and Penn State did that for me.

Kaitlyn

To find the perfect college for you, simply think a little bit about, well..you! Even though it is difficult to know with certainty whether a particular school will be "the one" or not, you can make a decision that will give you the most options. When I decided to go to Penn State, I had no clue what it would be like no matter how hard I tried to envision this future life, on my own, four hours away. So I went ahead and chose a large school with road range of majors and extra-curriculars. This gave me some peace of mind because I knew that it would give me options to find my own niche. If you're like my past self, confused, worried, uncertain; pick a school that you could vitually do anything in and you'll have little to worry about. Once you get to college, do not just be open to new experiences, but be actively open. By this I mean go seek out clubs or sports, seek out as many as you can in the first week and sit in a meeting. You'll never know what might spark your interest.

shauna

Look at the school while it is in session, talk to the students,if you know anyone have them take you on their own tour as opposed to the university tour, stay overnight in the dorms if it is possible. Keep an open mind, for instance a large school can turn into a smaller community if you join a group such as a sorority/fraternity. There is a school out there for everyone.