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Penn State University Park Visit Report by Grcxx3

Visit to Penn State University Park in July 2009 by Grcxx3
(Parent of Student, HS Class of 2009)
(Member since August 27 2008 with 635 posts)
 
1 of 1 people found this visit report helpful

Visit Activities:


Admissions Interview: No - We did not meet personally with anyone in the admissions office. I suppose we could have asked to but we didn't feel a need to.

Information Session: Yes - There was a 1 hour info session for all tour participants. It was basically a slide show with video clips of current students and alums. It was pretty well done and gave lots of general information

Campus Tour: Yes - Had 2 wonderful young ladies as tour guides. Visited a sample dorm room, then did a bus tour around the campus and a walk thru of the library, followed by lunch.

Classroom Visit: No - Just went into an empty classroom.

Campus:


Friendliness/Courtesy of Students:
5 - Excellent
5 - Excellent
Even DH (who is hard to please) was impressed with the students' enthusiasm and friendliness.


Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff:
5 - Excellent
5 - Excellent
Met with 2 different professors from the College of Engineering. Also had a tour of the Blue Band building. Very informative, helpful, and interesting.


Appearance of Campus:
5 - Excellent
5 - Excellent
Absolutely gorgeous!


Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness:
5 - Excellent
5 - Excellent
There was a lot of construction going on and the campus was setting up for a big art fair - but everything looked clean and well-tended.


Dormitories:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good
Can't say specifically as we only saw a sample room, but the outside appearance of all the dorm buildings was good.


Security/Safety:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good
This was not really discussed except with respect to dorm rooms. However, I never got the impression it was a problem.


Overall Campus Impression:
5 - Excellent
5 - Excellent
Impressive!

Off-Campus:


Area Immediately Around Campus:
5 - Excellent
5 - Excellent
Lots of places to eat and shop. Very helpful people. Seems like everything is built right around the campus - thus not having a car (freshman can't anyway) is not a problem.


City/Town/Community:
5 - Excellent
5 - Excellent
Small town built around the school. Didn't drive through much of it - just off the highway to the campus.

Campus Visit Notes for Penn State University Park


Visit Description:

The meeting with the 2 Engineering professors was especially helpful. They helped to clarify - in DS's mind - that he had really picked the right area of engineering for him. Also helped to explain - to DH - exactly WHAT it is that DS wants to do. Each professor spent about 1 hour with us and we could have stayed longer - but we had other appointments.

The Big Blue Marching Band facility is fabulous! Auditions are required every year (even for returning students) and DS is a little nervous about that - but after seeing the facility is REALLY motivated to get himself ready.

It's a big campus but is easily walkable (1 end to the other) in about 15-20 minutes. And I should know...since we did it FOUR times!!!!!