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Penn State University Park Visit Report by kevinsmom

Visit to Penn State University Park in June 2007 by kevinsmom
(Parent of Student, HS Class of 2008)
(Member since April 16 2007 with 85 posts)
 
1 of 2 people found this visit report helpful

Visit Activities:


Information Session: Yes - Extremely professional and beautifully dressed woman running the marketing session. Had everyone in the room wanting to come to Penn State, even parents and babies. One hour long.

Campus Tour: Yes - Tourguides were students; enthusiastic and cheerful. Continued the task of making all want to attend!!

Campus:


Friendliness/Courtesy of Students:
5 - Excellent
5 - Excellent
Even though it was summer, there were students all over the place.


Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff:
5 - Excellent
5 - Excellent



Appearance of Campus:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good
Flagship campus and it shows.


Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good
Lot of historic and older buildings.


Dormitories:
2 - Fair
2 - Fair
They showed us a sample room in a 70's era building. Not the worst I've seen.


Security/Safety:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good



Overall Campus Impression:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good


Off-Campus:


Area Immediately Around Campus:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good



City/Town/Community:
4 - Very Good
4 - Very Good


Campus Visit Notes for Penn State University Park


Visit Description:

First Visit on a mid atlantic tour. The only drawback to this school is the ride from New England! A six hour ride, and the way in on I80 is two lanes with lots of tractor trailers!
As you get closer to State College, the country is so beautiful, though. Our next stop was Villanova and the only way there from Penn State is route 312, then onto the Penn Tpk. This is where the ride got scary. 312 is two lanes, not a divided highway, curvy, hilly, and full of speeding tractor trailers tailgating you. There are actually many areas marked for the tractor trailers to pull off if they lose their brakes, and none are going as slow as they are supposed to on the downgrades. Penn Tpk is ugly, long distances between exits and no signs as to where you are!
Other than the commute, I don't know why anyone would not like this school. The school spirit is amazing. The campus is huge and spread out. If you want a small school, it might not be for you.
You'll do a lot of walking here, and they also have a campus bus system.

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

Sleep inn was fine, clean, short drive to campus, and cheap at $59 a night with a free breakfast!

Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:

We ate at "The Corner" It was fine.
After the tour, they gave us a free lunch in a cafeteria. It was great!