Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

I wish I would have known more about financial aid options. The school is great, but their tuition is absolutely ridiculous.

How much it has to offer students and all the resources available to help provide the opportunity for academic success

Before coming to Penn State, I wish I had known that the freedoms attainted at college would be both a blessing and a challenge. As much as I wanted to leave home at the time, I wish I had known that I was in for the ride of my life-- learning time management, participating in study sessions galore, and gaining a social life greater than anyone could ask for. I also wish I had known that so many nerves were not necessary, considering I had the ability and confidence indside of me to succeed the whole time.

I wish that I had known which clubs to join. I eventually found my place and am involved in a few great organizations, but it took me a semester to find where I wanted to be.

That the weather isn't always the greatest.

Before attending school, I wish I would have had a better understanding of what the different degree programs entailed and how they would apply to a career in a related field.

I wish I would have known how academically competitive the university is so I would have adjusted accordingly. I've heard from the majority of students who attend the main campus that the course-load is very heavy. Even though I have effective time management skills, I feel very overwhelmed most of the time because there just is not enough time in a day to complete the important tasks. In addition, I wish I would have known about the high internship placement rates for students because Penn State does a wonderful job of supplying us with resources for jobs/ internships.

This perhaps is not what you're looking for, but I wish I knew how much I loved community service before I got here. There weren't many opportunities for service from my high school, so coming here was a bit shocking. I love that I've found a place in my service org as vice president. I really hit my stride when I was regularly performing acts of kindness and learning the skills of communicating effectively with the rest of my club and executive board. And, I have gained many important professional contacts!

I wish I had known that it would be a tough adjustment. I know that orientations briefly introduce the troubles that might face prospective students, but I was not aware of imminent debt, financial responsibility, and time-management issues that I and many other first-year students have experienced. I also wish I had known that there are ways to recover from a bad bank account or a missed class. This would help to relieve many new students' worries or doubts.

I wish I would have known how advanced the curriculum was because I could have better prepared for the challenges that would occur.

I really wish that I knew the percentage of minorities the school had. Most of the students are White and Asian. These students for the most part don't want to make friends with people that don't look like them. I find it hard to stay in the school because of this but what I had to do was make friends with people who felt and look like I do.

Nothing really I did an extensive amount of research on the school, and i was fortunate enough to have a friend that was already there

I do not wish I had known anything. I am happy that I came to campus knowing what there was online and what Penn State sent me. Penn State has so much to offeer I do not know where to begin. It is so exciting to be able to experience so many different clubs and organizations as well as classes at Penn State. I mean who could not love this atmosphere?

I wish I had known about the hyper-social drinking issues and the lack of social/environmental conern among the students. I wish I would have known about the lack of accessability to diverse activities outside the immediately surrounding town.

Due to the size of the campus it made it hard to get to know your classmates and teachers. There were class sizes of hundreds of students. It made it difficult to build a relationship with some of the teachers. The campus size can also be intimidating, especially if you have classes scheduled closely together in time but almost a mile apart in distance. Be prepared to walk or learn the shuttle schedule.

I wish I would have been aware of the number of clubs and activities that are available for students to join which allows you the ability to meet new people and develop friendships thus making the campus feel like a smaller place.

Classes are really large and impersonal as a freshman. You need to do a lot of work on your own time.

There is really nothing that I wish I had konw because I love my school and I have not had any real surprises.

how to get more financial aid that was awarded yearly.

Since I am already 22 I wish I would have done my own research on Penn State during High School. After researching this school now and seeing all the clubs, academics, current students, and staff it makes me wish I could go back in time. The school is full of spirit, and optimism for your future, and I wish I would have known this earlier.