<p>Son’s advisor knew his name from day 1 at PSU. Always answered emails within a day. Dean of the college would also get back to son’s questions within a day. Sometimes within 20 minutes.</p>
<p>berryberry61: maybe YOU should go to state college less so everyone there can focus on their work and not have to entertain you :)</p>
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<p>This is not an average student. College prep with a 3.7, which is a B+ gpa, is above average. </p>
<p>Average student’s parents are on the 3.0-3.3 thread.</p>
<p>I thought that 3.7 would be an A- while a 3.3 would be a B+.</p>
<p>BC, you’re probably right! My point really was that there’s no way a 3.7 is average in anyone’s book - except here on CC.</p>
<p>My point for calling her an average student is not that I think of her as average, but I realize that she may be average at Penn state and not on top of the class of students there and I wanted to learn more about the environment at Penn State - if she needs extra help/support I wanted to know that it was available. Also have to consider the size of the introductory classes…</p>
<p>“Average student’s parents are on the 3.0-3.3 thread.”</p>
<p>Actually, average students probably have a 2.0-2.5 average and aren’t posting on CC and are probably at graduation will be going into the job market, to community college or vocational school.</p>
<p>sax - are you disputing the fact that PSU is a huge party school?</p>
<p>I take it that the courses at Penn state are managable, as long as the student manages their time well.</p>
<p>Does anyone know specifically about communications disorders/speech pathology?</p>
<p>My son has been accepted to Penn State - Univ Park. He will be studying engineering and we are waiting to hear from the Honors College. He’s not real interested in the party scene and hopes to get into the honors dorm or an engineering dorm.</p>
<p>The size of the school concerns him a bit, but he knows it has one of the top programs in his intended major and he hopes (fingers and toes crossed) to make the Blue Band. He knows being part of the band will give him an immediate “group” to belong to and will immediately immerse him in the whole school pride mentality. </p>
<p>Northstarmom - I agree that 2.0-2.5 is “average.” CC students definitely has a “skewed” view of things - but a 3.0 is a B average and that is nothing to be ashamed of!</p>
<p>I stand corrected - 3.0-3.3 is a B, as stated above, and I was incorrect when I said it was average.</p>
<p>However, I think it’s probably average for those applying to a 4 year college/university - if not a bit below average. So once again, CC has confused me :)</p>
<p>Grcxx3, In your S’s intended major students are accepted into the program after freshman year and then have four more years together. Many meet initially in one of the freshman seminars. With only 100 students in each year’s class, they really get to know one another. Outside of class many students participate in the Solar Decathlon ([Home</a> Page](<a href=“http://solar.psu.edu/]Home”>http://solar.psu.edu/)) and various departmental student groups. The Special Living Options are another excellent way for new students to “find their people”.</p>
<p>1moremom - the limit of 100 students is one of the things I like about the program. Of course…he has to BE part of the 100…but I think he’ll be fine! First on his “worry” list is the band audition. He “thinks” he’ll make it, but know there is no guarantee!</p>
<p>berri: No. PSU can party with the best of them. This thread was about an average academic student making it there academically. I get tired of the party responses in every PSU thread. I was trying to be light hearted. No offense meant.</p>
<p>questbest my d sounds a lot like your child. She was pretty much an A student in high school but only had one honors and no AP classes. However, we did have a very competitive high school and she was a 3 season athlete. Anyway, she is a freshman at PSU Univ Park and is doing very well. She had a 3.4 GPA first semester. She is working her but off though. First semester she told me she was sure she was the least smart person on campus. I ran into a friend whose daughter was also a freshman at UP who said the same thing. Judging by her first semester grades I doubt she is the least smart person there but she is definitely challenged.</p>
<p>sax - thanks, no offense taken. I didnt bring up the party rep to be antagonistic. I was just trying to lay out the potential obstacles for the OP. I think an average student can definietly succeed at PSU - but if some of the things I listed in my post (including the partying) could be a big obstacle for a particular student, it may make it harder to do so.</p>
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<p>Is there a public flagship school in any state that this doesn’t apply to?</p>
<p>No- and even most of the privates. As we have beaten to death a million times here on CC, there are a few schools where a non-partier might feel more comfortable, but it’s pretty hard to avoid the party scene at colleges- especially colleges that have a large Greek scene.</p>
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<p>Probably not, albeit to different extents. One is not named the #1 party school in the country without some merit.</p>
<p>Most schools (small, large, public, private) have some party scene, but how extensive they are and how much of an impact they have on campus life do indeed vary. Partying at PSU is more prevalent than at a number of other colleges so if that could be an obstacle, the OP should know about it</p>
<p>The OP was asking about PSU specifically so it is important to point out all potential obstacles</p>
<p>From what I hear, most schools are “party schools.” My original question was how difficult Penn State University classes are and if a student who is not straight A in high school can do well.</p>
<p>I appreciate all the input!</p>
<p>From what I hear, most schools are “party schools.” My original question was how difficult Penn State University classes are and if a student who is not straight A in high school can do well.</p>
<p>I appreciate all the input!</p>