Penn State is EVERYWHERE!!!
IntroductionGet involved with extra-curriculars. Although a GPA counts, being involved helps out more. Don't worry if you don't get into University Park, and are accepted at 22 of it's other locations. Any campus you go to is a Penn State Education and experiance all it's own. I chose it because for as long as I remember I wanted to go there. It has an outstanding number of degrees to choose from, and there is more then one location, which can help with costs and traveling problems.
Campus Life and Social LifeI am from Penn State Schuylkill. The best part of Schuylkill is that you know everyone and they know you, the worst part is the same. Partying is always going on. Sports aren't as hot as UP's but different one's are holding their own. Clubs are bountiful and awesome. Weekends you make you're own fun, or go to UP. It doesn't matter, because whenever whereever you have a great time.
AcademicsAcademic's are top rated. The radsci program is more of a full time job then a degree. If you're seriously want to get in there you have to be seriuos. Business, Psych, and Crim J are the best. All the prof's are awesome. Workload is typical of most college loads.
Student BodySince I went to a smaller campus of PSU, it varies. Most students are either from Philly, NYC, got some Jersey people thrown in, and then a slosh of other places. They are into their own thing.
In Closing...DOn't think that going to a smaller PSU campus is any less rewarding, it's actually so much better. There you're a name, not a number. WE ARE ... PENN STATE!!!