I was recently accepted into the PSU Honors college but am not sure whether or not I’m going. Has anyone else been accepted? Why are/aren’t you going?
I was accepted. What is your planned major?
I was also accepted. I haven’t decided whether or not I am going yet, but a few of the things that really attract me to the program are:
- The Scholars - The current scholars and other admits seem like a great group of really interesting people. Aside from the ones on the website (who are obviously very impressive, but also selected by the school to represent them and thus not totally representative of the whole group), all of the kids I know who are there now are really cool. I also believe they did a great job with the admissions process. From my class of 300+ kids, they chose the same three through their process that I would have chosen having spent thirteen years getting to know them. If they did an equally good job elsewhere, I think the class of 2019 is going to be an awesome group of people.
- Flexibility - There are not a lot of programs that give you the degree of freedom to study across disciplines, forge your own academic path, and take advantage of university resources that Schreyer does.
- IUG - Schreyers integrated Undergraduate/Graduate program would allow me to start law school or another graduate program during my first four years and with the guaranteed housing and scholarship.
- Alumni - Check out the bios of the alumni they are recognizing next week (http://news.psu.edu/story/347450/2015/03/09/arts-and-entertainment/penn-state-honors-12-alumni-achievement-award), these people (and those that have been recognized in years past) have done some awesome things. Also, every Penn State Alumnus I've ever met has nothing but great things to say about their alma matter, friends, and experience.
Some of the things that I don’t like about it:
- Party Culture - Penn State, though not specifically Schreyer, has a reputation as a huge party school. Though I am not against partying, it isn't really my thing and I'm not sure what other options are out there socially.
- Demographic - I don't love the fact that 62% of Penn State students are from in-state. I know that that is part of going to a state school, but I would like to be in a little more diverse environment. I'm not sure if Schreyer is more or less diverse, I couldn't find that data.
That’s just my take on it. It seems like an awesome program, but I’m to sure if I’m ready to commit to it yet.
I was accepted too!
As of right now it is my top choice. However, I have changed my mind before and am giving it a couple of weeks before I accept my offer.
I went to an accepted students day for the engineering college and Schreyer. I was really impressed by the weight that the name carried. When I mentioned my acceptance to Schreyer to professors and the volunteer alumni checking us in, their eyes seemed to light up. They were quick to congratulate me and tell me what a huge accomplishment it was. They had nothing but praise for the honors college.
I agree with everything guitarskills said! However, the party culture does not seem to be a huge problem to me. Penn State is a huge party school but they are just a huge school in general. Compared to other big party schools, I think Penn State has a lot more people that aren’t really that into partying also.
I am considering a couple of other private schools, but one thing that a scholar said during our tour really stuck with me- you can make a big school small but you can’t make a small school big. Schreyer does just that, giving its scholars their own little niche and a ton of special attention. Also, Penn State has a huge amount of resources and opportunities available (way more than any other school) and Schreyer scholars get first priority to them.
That’s just my view on it so far…hope it helps you!
@Harrisburg , I think plant sciences! I was accepted into the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. And I’d have to say that my worries are along the lines of what other people have mentioned, the party culture, size, and lack of diversity.
I’m not sure about the “you can make a big school small but you can’t make a small school big”, though I too have heard it from admissions reps.
Hey Guys. So I too was recently admitted and would like to provide some insight as well…
Like @jlns14 said, Schreyer as of now is my top choice. Why?
-Opportunity: First of all, you’re treated with so many perks such as (best dorms, first dibs on classes, study abroad opportunities, prestigious internships, etc). Not only that, you are surrounded with individuals who are not only intellectual, but they have the drive to succeed as well. As previously stated (I will just reiterate) PSU has SO MANY RESOURCES. With 47k undergrads… the people, power, money and network that they have in their pocket is endless all you have to do it make the most out of everything that you are given.
-Grad School: If you are pretty sure about Grad School Schreyer is a great place to go. First of all, majority of the undergrads get into the graduate program of their choice (Harvard Law, Yale, Stanford, UC Berkeley, etc) not only that, they set you up for success by already preparing you for that grad school transition.
-Prestige: As @jlns14 said AGAIN the professor’s eyes lit up. Believe it or not, but being a Schreyer Honor Scholar carries a certain degree of caliber between the staff and professors (the students a different story) If you want to do research, considered it done. If you need a sensible favor done, considered it done. If you need something in general, considered it done because the PSU community looks up to you and will do evrything possible within their power to push you to succeed.
Like you said @guitarskills101 PSU is known for their party culture and I can see your demographic issue. I mean PSU is a big school and with big schools you have a the cliques who branch off and do their own thing. The thing is that you shouldn’t allow little things that won’t bother you at all overshadow your decision. And for the location… Yes, I am a PA resident but I will tell you now six months ago I had little to no interest in attending PSU but now that’s a different story (Fell in love with the campus, the people and the community) Idk if you visited, but you should and maybe you’ll fell the same way too.
One last thing… PSU is diverse on the bigger scale… they have students from all 50 states and all over the world coming together. Yes, there are many in-state students but I don’t blame that (if you look @ OOS tuition).
I hope this post provided a little help for your decision. Let me know what you think. And to anyone in the Philadelphia area I will be @ the reception on the 14th.
Even the current students here are doing cool things.
“Schreyer Honors Scholars have been recognized for major international accomplishments with prestigious awards, scholarships and fellowships presented in the last year. Neha Gupta became the first American to win the International Children’s Peace Prize. Ryan Henrici was awarded a Marshall Scholarship and Christopher Rae was selected for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship as they will continue their studies in the United Kingdom.”
Neha Gupta is a freshman, which blows my mind.