Why Did You Choose Penn State?

State College, PA
Dec 25, 2017
3 min read

This is a question I get all the time. For starters, who wouldn't love to move to Happy Valley and go to the best school in the country? Penn State has EVERYTHING. From sports, to the arts, to philanthropy, to a fantastic party scene....Penn State has something for everyone.

During high school my parents played a huge role in helping me decide which colleges to apply to. They helped me narrow my options by coming up with some priorities. I wanted to go to a respected academic school with a strong football program and also hockey. I didn't want to be in a large city, but I wanted there to be a lot of people. Lastly, I wanted to go to a school known for their pride and sense of community. Being from Michigan, obviously Michigan State and The University of Michigan came to mind, but I wanted to leave home. I wanted to experience something new.

As I researched Penn State and realized all the opportunities there, it quickly became my top choice. When I visited I noticed that at least 95% of the people walking around were wearing Penn State attire. When I was accepted, my excitement was through the roof. If I'm being honest, I feel badly for those who didn't get to go to school there.

One of my favorite things about Penn State is the strong sense of community. Being a Penn State student is unlike being a student anywhere else. Where ever you are in the entire world a Penn Stater is bound to yell, “WE ARE.....,” and of course the response "PENN STATE!" will be yelled back. With the largest alumni association in the world, you can't go anywhere without running into a friend.

The tailgates are incredible and the football games are even better! Penn State Football has come so far in the four years I went to school there. Going to the Rose Bowl my senior year was an experience I will never forget (even though the game didn't end the way we all wanted it to). And the hockey team... B1G Champs!!! No matter what sport it is, the pride of Penn State's student section will rival any other school. Everyone is always wearing their favorite colors. We basically bleed blue & white. Someone once asked, " If God isn't a Penn State fan then why is the sky blue and white?" It can't get much better than that.

Now, I can't forget about Pickle's... good 'ole Bill Pickle's Tap Room will always have a place in my heart. This is by far the best bar in State College. If you ever get the chance to visit, trust me, you'll want to check that place out! If you do make it over there, say "Hi" to Anthony for me; he's the best bartender ever.

No matter what day of the week it is, you will always find students out and around. Whether it's Mad Mex Monday, Country Night at Pickle's, Gaffaoke, or Indigo Thursday, you will always have something to do and you will always find someone to join in the fun.

The reason I am writing about this fantastic school is because I will be visiting Happy Valley this weekend. Every July, The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is hosted in

downtown State College and on the PSU campus. People from all over the country visit to celebrate the arts. There are street paintings and music and booths where artists sell their work; it's truly incredible. This Festival gives people of all ages a reason to visit this great university. Most importantly, it gives me the chance to see my college friends again and of course spend some time at my favorite bar. Like I said, Penn State really does has something to offer for everyone and Arts Fest gives yet another example of that.

Penn State is a place I will always be able to call home and a place I can always look forward to visiting. I really do feel badly for people who didn't go there. Why would anyone want to miss out on going to a place like this?

To all you PSU grads out there, I have a feeling you all miss this place as much as I do. Just remember, tradition never graduates. WE ARE, and will always be.......PENN STATE