Hello,
I applied to DUS and was accepted. I have a change of heart now and I want to do political science, how easy it is to make this change? Also, your thought’s on PSU’s location in regards with job opportunities, networking, and internships. Lastly, how well regarded is Penn State’s COMM and Poli Sci?
@5melissa1234 You can either call admissions and see if they can put you in the major (which they probably can) or just wait until your orientation and tell your adviser this and they can change you there I think. Or he’ll just have you schedule what you would have otherwise and tell you how to switch to poly sci later on.
I’m still considering whether or not I should join LEAP. I’m quite worried about going to PSU because I’m a bit socially awkward and can get nervous quite easily. Were you in the summer session, and did you join LEAP? How was you first semester at PSU? Any suggestions??
Do classes that qualify for more than one gen ed category count as credits for each? Like Sam’s SOC119, “may satisfy” both social and behavioral sciences and U.S. cultures. If I’d take and complete it, would I earn those 4 credits towards both of those gen ed categories or just one? Also, were you(whoever feels like answering my question) in a frat, and if so could you generally tell of your experience with it?
@psustudent15 @etuck24 I want to major in finance soo I have to have an 3.5. Can you tell me which is the easiest Gen eds to get an A
@5melissa1234 The other poster is probably right and definitely knows more than I do about switching majors pre-matriculating. Either way, once you’re here, I doubt you’ll have much problem getting into the major. There aren’t many prereqs and I haven’t heard of anyone getting turned away. In regards PSU and jobs/networking/internships, I’ll state up front that there aren’t as many opportunities as you’ll find in a city. There seems to be an abundance of labs for science majors since we are a research university, but that’s obviously a little harder to replicate for political science and the liberal arts in general. That said, if you look hard and put in the effort, there are internships and such to be found and the departments are pretty good about sending out those opportunities. They’ll just require some extra work on your end. I, and most of the students I know, actually get annoyed they send out too many of those. For a recommendation, I’d point you to the PSU Washington Program- it finds you an internship and housing in Washington D.C. and plans networking events for you with alums and such in the area which is pretty ideal.
As far as regard goes, think above average but not quite elite for both. I know Comm puts a lot of effort into networking as a college to try to place graduates but they are, at least in my opinion, running somewhat uphill given the stereotypes about Comm majors. Something to note about political science here- it’s a quantitative department. While you could definitely avoid the quantitative classes/professors, that would mean you’re not getting as much as you could from the major. That is, Poli Sci here is more regarded here for quantitative research and is better regarded for that aspect.
@Sunrise97 I wasn’t summer session/LEAP when I entered. My first semester went pretty well. There were some adjustments to college that I don’t think were too out of the ordinary. But I found what they tell everyone before PSU is true: there are 40,000 undergrads here and barring something really unexpected, you’ll find people who share your interest and who you click with. For suggestions, take this with a grain of salt since I didn’t do it, but I would do LEAP/summer since there are less people around and it might help you transition to the big school. I would also join clubs based on your relevant interest since it’s a lot easier to meet/talk to people who share your interests.
@tlanda3 I’m pretty sure that you can’t double count things and the classes you take will just count for 1 requirement. That said, I’ve never tried so maybe you can work it out with your adviser (they can be surprisingly flexible with requirements). Not in a frat sorry
@ind9000 Sure. EGEE 101, 102. INART 005, whatever Math and Money is, THEA100 are some to start you off. Once you get here you can feel out which other ones are easy. Hint: frats will be very useful.
@ ind9000: try to see which classes are taken by a lot of fraternity students or athletes, and enroll in those.
@myos1634 thanks and I will definitely do that @psustudent15 thanks a lot
@PSUstudent15 When you say quantitative do you mean i’ll be require to take high math courses (or just maybe Stat/Calc?) I am current a high school senior and I would have sophomore standing because of the AP courses I have but I haven’t taken any in math. I know Penn State has an IR program, do you have any thoughts on those? Also, networking wise and reputation what is your feeling on that? I’m on the final stages of deciding where I’m going and I’m looking at Penn State and Pitt the closest, I’m OOS for both. Penn State gave me a Provost Scholarship so tuition wise we are roughly about equal. I am in love with both schools-i love the sense of pride that Penn State students have so I’m looking for a closer look at both programs to make a decision
@5melissa1234 No, nothing like that. Just that a (vast) majority of the department does quantitative research and that’s their big focus. So they run regressions and such instead of doing case studies. I was just noting that’s the departments’ specialty and therefore where they’re strongest. You can certainly take mostly qualitative classes, but in my opinion that would mean you’re leaving a little on the table since the professors are known for their quantitative work. For IR, I think I told someone else this, but I would strongly consider the IUG. With that, you’ll graduate in 5 years (or less if you can swing it) with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in IR. I know PSU is investing in the School of International Affairs so it might be a good way to tap into those resources. A link is here- https://www.sia.psu.edu/academics/integrated-undergraduate-graduate-iug-programs. Also, start thinking about which IR concentration you’d like to do. The three options are International Political Economy, Security, and International Relations. I will say that the IPE options seems to open up more opportunities since the econ aspect has been a really good selling point for some of my friends to go into consulting and such.
I’ll say that the networking is very strong, but only where it exists. That is, PSU alums are extremely likely to help you out when you meet/network with them. Our alums are passionate about the university and are always willing to lend a hand for another Penn Stater. That said, I’ve tried to be candid and honest in this thread so I have to temper that by also pointing out that, in the LA fields, it can be hard to find alums in the position to help out where needed. The scarcity of liberal arts jobs is a very real thing and even with the PSU alum bump it can be difficult a difficult search. One of my friends who graduated last year had some trouble finding a post-graduation job (though s/he did eventually find one) even though s/he cast a pretty wide net and was among the top graduates. Reputation-wise is as I stated above. Above average but not quite elite. The alumni network (largest in the country!) helps a lot in that regard, but we won’t be confused for an Ivy anytime soon.
I’ll admit my biases since I do go here but, like I said, I’ve tried to be as honest and candid in this thread as I can. I don’t really see any advantages Pitt would have over Penn State. They certainly won’t be considered elite anytime soon either. Where PSU really comes out ahead compared to Pitt is the alumni network and the increased opportunities here. What they tell you on tours is absolutely true- there are PSU alums everywhere and they are passionate about the school (almost to a fault!) Pitt simply can’t match that network and the name brand recognition that comes from it. If your concern is regard, I can almost certainly assure you that PSU has a better national brand than Pitt. I say that as someone who has looked at reputation pretty closely. I qualified my answers above, I think I also told someone else this, because I came in very much aiming for the top of my field and view everything from that perspective.
The sense of pride/school spirit is incredible here. I came in as someone who didn’t really value that and didn’t expect to. Quickly had my mind changed. It’s honestly unbelievable the level of camaraderie and community the PSU has and how we channel it (I could talk about THON for days). After four years here, I definitely understand why our alumni feel the way they do about the school and why they’re so willing to help out.
I hope that helped! Feel free to keep asking if there’s anything else you want to know and to private message me if you want to discuss specifics. Always willing to help out.
@PSUstudent15 thank for your very thorough and insightful answer and good luck in grad school and your future pursuits!
-guitarskills101
As a prospective student nearing the conclusion of my junior year in high school, why should I choose Penn State?
@guitarskills101 thanks and no problem!
@Orieles21 The only answer I can give is “it depends.” I could give you a broad elevator speech but I don’t think that’d be very helpful and runs the risk of being completely irrelevant. If you give me some more specifics: what other schools you’re looking at, what your goals are, prospective major, etc., I might be of more help.
@PSUstudent15 I’m not a good science person… which gen ed natural sciences would be good options for me to take?
Why is “THEA100” supposed to be so awesome?
Its just an easy art gen ed… nothing really that special
@Tooth1010 EGEE 101, 102 (take them online), Geosci10, BiSci003 I think too?
@MYOS1634 From what I hear, if you do like going to class, keep an open mind, etc., it can actually be a pretty fun class. The MFA students perform a lot of skits and stuff, generally doing their best to make it entertaining. The other poster is right too- easy gen ed and the exams are online (or at least they used to be).
@PSUstudent15 How are the sciences and Pre-Med program at Penn State? I’m really stressed out on what school would be the best for Pre-Med and I was wondering if you know about the program or how the classes are? I just want to know what resources are available and what students do to prepare for exams.
I put small double as my room type preference, does every resident hall has small doubles?
How hard is it to get in if you’re out of state? My SAT is 2100 and my GPA is 3.7 unweighted