<p>qtip - from a parent of a PSU student here. PSU offers many fine programs. The kids we know who go there (and we know many) report that the professors are friendly and accessible. You have to make a point to reach out but, if you do, they are more than willing to help.
WP is right that you CAN be part of the masses if you’d like. Or you can take a few extra steps and distinguish yourself. It’s up to you. You know yourself best. If you like to be invisible - maybe you should push yourself and go to a smaller school.
I’m a graduate of a big state school (not in PA). So far, by comparison, my experience was rather sterile compared to what I see and hear about PSU. At my U, classes were huge and teachers did their best to ignore us. No school spirit. No fun sports. So PSU and perhaps some of the other big tens have some magic going on. Most of the alums I know LOVE the school as do most of the kids. Retention rates are high. Can’t say that about my big state U. So all state Us are not the same.<br>
Don’t worry about WP’s rants about the satellite campuses. This is true for most state Us, even prestigious schools like WIS and UMICH. It’s quite obvious that he made the WRONG choice of school for HIM. That “Drone U” and “McCollege” stuff gets really annoying. Some kids like big schools and can get a lot out of them. Go where it works for YOU.</p>