Any current Penn State students?

[KiKat37]

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Hi guys,

I'm 99% sure I'm going to attend Penn State in the Fall and I had a few questions. It would be awesome if any current students could provide some answers... I would really appreciate it!

What is the first year schedule like? How many hours of lectures? What about labs? Do most people attend lectures or do they study on their own?

How are exams organized? Are they done in blocks or are they spread out?

What about the research project? When do most people do that? The summer between 1st and 2d year?

I know that 4th year rotations can be done at other schools or even abroad. Has any of you done that? Where do most people go?

Any idea how most students do on step 1 (average score maybe?)

What about the social aspect of things, location, overall happiness?

Thanks a lot! 🙂

 

[KiKat37]

BUMP. Anyone? 😳

 

[benjiboy]

Hi, I'm a third year at penn state. hopefully this will help. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions

What is the first year schedule like? How many hours of lectures? What about labs? Do most people attend lectures or do they study on their own?

Your first twelve weeks are very busy with anatomy as you have lectures in the morning and lab in the afternoon or vice versa. After that, the rest of the year calms down to an average of probably 4-5 hours of lecture per day plus an occasional lab or extraneous course such as physical diagnosis or humanities. In my class almost everybody attended most of the lectures, but it’s not required

How are exams organized? Are they done in blocks or are they spread out?

The nice thing about our curriculum is that you generally only have to study for one exam at a time because everything is integrated, so that for example, three weeks worth of physiology, biochemistry and histology are all on the same exam. Then you start over learning new material for the next exam. And the best part of all is that there are no cumulative final exams.

What about the research project? When do most people do that? The summer between 1st and 2d year?

The research project is extremely variable. Some people get it over with during the first summer, others don’t. You’ll see when you get here that you have many options.

I know that 4th year rotations can be done at other schools or even abroad. Has any of you done that? Where do most people go?

Most 4th years that I know do a few away rotations to be closer to family, see fun places, or “audition” at other hospitals. International rotations are definitely doable, but it takes a lot of planning and looking around. Again, there are resources for you here if you are interested

Any idea how most students do on step 1 (average score maybe?)

My class had a pass rate of 98% (approx 127/129) with a score approximately at the 50th percentile (220ish)

What about the social aspect of things, location, overall happiness?

I’m super happy here and I think most of my class is too. It’s definitely not the big city, but if you enjoy a slower pace, beautiful scenery, outdoor recreation, lack of parking hassles, friendly people, etc. then you’ll probably like it here.

 

[KiKat37]

Thanks a lot, benjiboy! Your answers were all very helpful. 🙂

Just one more question if you don't mind: do you feel like people really need a car to survive in Hershey? I mean, do you need a car for basic things like going to the grocery store/bank/post office? Or, are most of these things within walking distance or accessible by bus?

Thanks again!

 

[mghtymaus7]

Thanks a lot, benjiboy! Your answers were all very helpful. 🙂

Just one more question if you don't mind: do you feel like people really need a car to survive in Hershey? I mean, do you need a car for basic things like going to the grocery store/bank/post office? Or, are most of these things within walking distance or accessible by bus?

Thanks again!

Hi KiKat37,
I've just finished with my 1st year at PSU and I really love the campus and how the cirriculum is set-up. Currently, I"m staying on campus this summer to finish my MSR and my girlfriend is here for a nursing externship. To answer your question, although a car is not necessary, it would probably be a good idea to have one. Grocery store runs will not be a problem when you ask friends for rides. PNC is the big bank around Hershey (it's at the local Giant and also there's an PNC ATM in the hospital). There's a post-office on the ground floor of the BMR/hospital. Fox's grocery store is within walking distance and there's plenty of walking trails, but I wouldn't recommend the walk during the cold winter. I use my car mostly to go to church, grocery store, coffee shops to study, and home on some weekends (I live near Philly, so only 1.5 hour drive). Welcome to PSU! If you have any more questions, you can repost here or my IM screen name is Mghtymaus7. See you in August!

 

[KiKat37]

Hi KiKat37,
I've just finished with my 1st year at PSU and I really love the campus and how the cirriculum is set-up. Currently, I"m staying on campus this summer to finish my MSR and my girlfriend is here for a nursing externship. To answer your question, although a car is not necessary, it would probably be a good idea to have one. Grocery store runs will not be a problem when you ask friends for rides. PNC is the big bank around Hershey (it's at the local Giant and also there's an PNC ATM in the hospital). There's a post-office on the ground floor of the BMR/hospital. Fox's grocery store is within walking distance and there's plenty of walking trails, but I wouldn't recommend the walk during the cold winter. I use my car mostly to go to church, grocery store, coffee shops to study, and home on some weekends (I live near Philly, so only 1.5 hour drive). Welcome to PSU! If you have any more questions, you can repost here or my IM screen name is Mghtymaus7. See you in August!

Woa... I didn't even see your post until now - the end of July! 🙄
Thanks so much for your response; I really appreciate it. 🙂 It's good to see that people really like the school and the curriculum. Orientation starts in two weeks and I can't wait to get there!