Anonymous
02/12/2026 13:57
Subject: Vibe at Penn State
My son loves it. Weather is tough. It is remote, but he said everything he needs is there. I can also do a day trip if needed to visit him from moco
Freshman year made friends in his dorm and in other dorms. Has a few different friends groups which is nice. Lives with new pals soph year in apt.
He thought some classes were very tough and learned some tough lessons staying on top of things, but he got things in order his soph year. They are learning about life too.
He pledged spring of freshman year and loves it. This filled his calendar with fun things to do. He has more school spirit now. (pledge period was very rough)
Also being connected to older frat brothers helped him with networking, school advice and motivation to do better. Such a benefit many don't talk abt with frats.
He is generally a kid that would do fine most places. The school is a part of it, but happiness mostly comes down to the kid.
Freshman year made friends in his dorm and in other dorms. Has a few different friends groups which is nice. Lives with new pals soph year in apt.
He thought some classes were very tough and learned some tough lessons staying on top of things, but he got things in order his soph year. They are learning about life too.
He pledged spring of freshman year and loves it. This filled his calendar with fun things to do. He has more school spirit now. (pledge period was very rough)
Also being connected to older frat brothers helped him with networking, school advice and motivation to do better. Such a benefit many don't talk abt with frats.
He is generally a kid that would do fine most places. The school is a part of it, but happiness mostly comes down to the kid.
Anonymous
02/12/2026 11:26
Subject: Re:Vibe at Penn State
15:00, that was really nice to read. I'm glad your child is happy!
Anonymous
02/12/2026 10:59
Subject: Vibe at Penn State
Anonymous wrote:It’s good for motivated kids. Unmotivated ones can easily fall through the cracks. I know lots of current students (am in PA) and it attracts all types. Pitt might be slightly more popular than Penn State from our high school.
This is sort of our fear for our son. It will definitely be sink or swim.
We are in PA and Penn State and Pitt attract different students.
Anonymous
02/12/2026 08:43
Subject: Vibe at Penn State
Anonymous wrote:There are like 50K undergrads. What are you looking for? Obviously there are all types. The bigger question is whether your kid is looking for a big school or a small one. What a silly thread.
What if it's your fist kid and you are trying to get feedback? No need to be jerk about it.
Anonymous
02/11/2026 23:29
Subject: Vibe at Penn State
My son is a current freshman in engineering. VT was his #1, but he was waitlisted there and chose Penn State from a range of OOS acceptances. I imagine that he would have loved VT (his sister is there), but he without a doubt LOVES Penn State. He is big into football and has joined a fraternity - but his friend group also includes people from his dorm and his classes. I was so impressed during Family Weekend - and really could see why he is so happy there. I don't love paying the OOS tuition, but am so happy for him that he feels confident that it is the right place for him.
Anonymous
02/11/2026 22:35
Subject: Vibe at Penn State
Anonymous wrote:Same vibe as VT. Big, rural, spirit, football, beer. If you like drinking and football you’ll be fine. A reserved kid would need a very specific plan on how to find their people because it won’t happen automatically without some effort.
As far as VT goes, this is BS. The school doesn't revolve around "drinking and football." I have an introverted non-drinker there and she has a ton of likeminded friends. Can't speak for Penn State, but I imagine one can find their people there too.
Anonymous
02/11/2026 22:32
Subject: Vibe at Penn State
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:But the OOS tuition tho!
I know, but it beats Towson or UMBC just for the alumni connection alone. [/quote
So students should go to the biggest university they can get into because those schools have the most alumni? Penn State > Duke for example? ]
I wonder if having a strong network will become more important for certain jobs in the future. I have worked for many “average” companies … just your run of the mill company and do very well. I do a fair amount of hiring and where you went to school isn’t that important to us. I know we want our kids to work at large, famous companies but the reality is that most will get jobs at local companies or small national companies. These can pay pretty well, too. With many companies cutting back on hiring, they find it easier to hire based on word of mouth.
Anonymous
02/11/2026 22:18
Subject: Vibe at Penn State
We are from outside of Baltimore and my daughter is a current freshman. She attended a small private high school, and I was a little nervous about her choosing such a large school, but she absolutely loves it. She’s made a lot of friends in her dorm, attended a few football games in the fall, just got into a sorority. There is a great vibe and positive energy on campus, and I feel this is why she chose the school. She loves that she can blend in and doesn’t know everyone and there is a lot to get involved in. Thon is their huge fundraiser that takes place this month that many students participate in. The flip side is classes are large, advisors can be difficult to get a hold of, kids have to advocate for themselves, go to class, etc. My daughter is a neurobiology major, and she takes it seriously. A lot of kids do not, skip class, drop classes late, party every night, have a hard time learning the balance. A few kids have already failed out and gone home, including an honors student who lived next door to her. So I guess it really comes down to the type of kid and how self disciplined they are. My daughter has really seemed to grow socially and has become more independent and responsible so we have no complaints.
Anonymous
02/11/2026 18:24
Subject: Vibe at Penn State
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:But the OOS tuition tho!
I know, but it beats Towson or UMBC just for the alumni connection alone. [/quote
So students should go to the biggest university they can get into because those schools have the most alumni? Penn State > Duke for example? ]
Anonymous
02/11/2026 17:39
Subject: Vibe at Penn State
It’s good for motivated kids. Unmotivated ones can easily fall through the cracks. I know lots of current students (am in PA) and it attracts all types. Pitt might be slightly more popular than Penn State from our high school.
Anonymous
02/11/2026 16:32
Subject: Vibe at Penn State
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:But the OOS tuition tho!
I know, but it beats Towson or UMBC just for the alumni connection alone.
And that counts for alot - at least the internships and first job out of college. And name recognition if one the W coast. Realistically - all of the small publics have limited appeal unless it is all one can get accepted into or afford or the provincials that don't want to leave their home state.
Anonymous
02/11/2026 16:20
Subject: Vibe at Penn State
Anonymous wrote:But the OOS tuition tho!
I know, but it beats Towson or UMBC just for the alumni connection alone.
Anonymous
02/11/2026 15:59
Subject: Vibe at Penn State
But the OOS tuition tho!