Penn State

[NameGoesHere]

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Hello,

I am currently a student at a Penn State satellite campus and was planning on going to Penn State University Park my last two years, however, I have two great volunteering positions here and know my professors and the courses I am and will take pretty well. My question is do you think it will be worth to transfer away and lose all the opportunities I have here? Also do medical schools usually see which Penn State I am applying from if all my material gets send out from the same committee?

 

[turtles43]

I went to Penn State satellite campuses for all 4 years of my undergrad education. I personally stayed because of the opportunities and close relationships with my professors. It did not negatively affect me in any way when applying, and now that I think about it, it probably helped me. They will be able to see what campus you went to when your applying, because you have separate them on you AMCAS application. I wouldn't worry too much about it!

 

[ciestar]

If you're interested in pursing research at all, go to UP. I'd say go to UP anyway.. I had a wonderful four years there and hated my time at one of the commonwealth campuses. (Took 21.5 credits and got a 4.0, was bored).

Just don't forget that there will be even more opportunities there. But ultimately, it comes down to what you're comfortable with. If you have the option to stay and you want to, do it, less stress along the way.

 

[NameGoesHere]

I have 2 publications already so I've done research.

 

[Pseudofeds]

When are you supposed to go to University Park? I attend a commonwealth campus as well. Berks.

 

[psu228]

Hello,

I am currently a student at a Penn State satellite campus and was planning on going to Penn State University Park my last two years, however, I have two great volunteering positions here and know my professors and the courses I am and will take pretty well. My question is do you think it will be worth to transfer away and lose all the opportunities I have here? Also do medical schools usually see which Penn State I am applying from if all my material gets send out from the same committee?

I went to UP all four years. I really enjoyed my time there in a lot of ways but truthfully there are things to be said for the small class size and more administrative attention you get at the commonwealth campuses. I retook a chem class at PSU Harrisburg; it wasn't easier than at UP, but it was more student friendly in my opinion. There were more opportunities to get points, make up missed points, etc. At UP it was pretty much three really difficult exams and two quizzes.

There are pros and cons to both. I had friends from high school who transferred up after two years and hated it, and those who LOVED it. It can be difficult for some people transferring up to UP just due to the sheer size of the campus and student body. It's really whatever your gut tells you.

Research at UP is relatively easy to find. In my experience though a lot of professors wanted students who were entering their sophomore year, and thus could commit 6 semesters to a project. I did research but it wasn't in an area I was passionate about, largely because the really high speed labs were filled with younger students.

Sorry to ramble. I loved Penn State, but it is a challenging place to succeed and takes some getting used to. You really have to make your own way there. And be warned the rent is expensive. Happy Valley is a bubble, with serious pros and significant cons. I certainly don't think applying from a branch campus to med school will hurt you. I also don't think that you have to give up this relationship with your profs that you have now.. I'm sure they could still be future references!

If you do decide to go up, find a club or cause you like, and socially you'll be fine. THON, greek life, club sports, academic orgs, political orgs, Penn State has them all, and all can lead to having a great group of friends. Just find your niche!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Get used to being woken up at all hours by screaming drunk kids.

 

[ciestar]

I went to UP all four years. I really enjoyed my time there in a lot of ways but truthfully there are things to be said for the small class size and more administrative attention you get at the commonwealth campuses. I retook a chem class at PSU Harrisburg; it wasn't easier than at UP, but it was more student friendly in my opinion. There were more opportunities to get points, make up missed points, etc. At UP it was pretty much three really difficult exams and two quizzes.

There are pros and cons to both. I had friends from high school who transferred up after two years and hated it, and those who LOVED it. It can be difficult for some people transferring up to UP just due to the sheer size of the campus and student body. It's really whatever your gut tells you.

Research at UP is relatively easy to find. In my experience though a lot of professors wanted students who were entering their sophomore year, and thus could commit 6 semesters to a project. I did research but it wasn't in an area I was passionate about, largely because the really high speed labs were filled with younger students.

Sorry to ramble. I loved Penn State, but it is a challenging place to succeed and takes some getting used to. You really have to make your own way there. And be warned the rent is expensive. Happy Valley is a bubble, with serious pros and significant cons. I certainly don't think applying from a branch campus to med school will hurt you. I also don't think that you have to give up this relationship with your profs that you have now.. I'm sure they could still be future references!

If you do decide to go up, find a club or cause you like, and socially you'll be fine. THON, greek life, club sports, academic orgs, political orgs, Penn State has them all, and all can lead to having a great group of friends. Just find your niche!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Get used to being woken up at all hours by screaming drunk kids.

Nah. Live far enough campus where it's dead quiet. CATA access was minimal though.

I took 45 credits at a branch campus after I changed my major (weird situation, anyway), I am there with you on that. There was a lot of extra credit, very generous curves and in one of my classes they whined they had another test the same day the one in that class was scheduled and the teacher actually moved it....
It all depends on your location, I'm sure. Feeders like Altoona and Hazleton are probably much different.

(Funny thing, though, I took Biol 110 outside of UP and the class average was like a 50% and there was a hefty curve that landed me with like a 120% in the class )

 

[NameGoesHere]

When are you supposed to go to University Park? I attend a commonwealth campus as well. Berks.

I started at UP my first semester but came back home for family issues for two years and I was thinking about going back for next semester that is why I asked.

I honestly do like the small class sizes and the fact that my profs actually know who I am. Also I took Chem 110 and Bio 110 at UP my first semester and in my opinion the ones at Brandywine where I am at are harder and the students learn more so academically commonwealth campuses may be better in my opinion.

 

[Tay1019]

I'm in the same situation, transferring to Penn state Erie as a sophmore for Bio (pre-med), and considering UP for my last two years. I'd love to hear some of your reasoning if you end up transferring to UP, or if you end up staying at a satellite campus.

 

[Judson]

My $0.02..

Unless they really know about the grade discrepancies between the branch campuses, they will likely see PSU and leave it at that. Therefore, if I were you I'd stay at the branch campus and protect my GPA as much as possible. Do well on the MCAT and you're gold. Tough reality, but realistically the rest is all fluff.

 

[Dr.Barker&Mr.Scootches]

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but does anyone know how many research opportunities ARE available for PSU commonwealth schools? I was curious since I'm transferring Fall 2018. I can't go to UP unfortunately because of family issues.

How is the pre-med programs there, too? At least for one of the commonwealth schools, it says the biology department has closer ties with PSCOM...