Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

The most popular groups and largest groups are thon groups. We also have clubs that involve our race which is vey helpful in meeting new people around campus that can relate to us. People do party but its less than half. Many are in the libraries others work and some chill with frriends. On a typical Saturday the school has events every weekend to keep students entertained, such as movie nights, arts and craft, dances, and concerts. Off campus activities can involve shopping, cafes, food, concerts, plays, marathons, and volunteering.

THON.

Greek Life, joining a fraternity or sorority is fairly popular. THON is a dance-marathon that we have once a year to raise money for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The school also offers hundreds of clubs and different intramural sports teams.

The most popular groups on campus are probably THON and Greek Life. THON is a dance marathon every year, which is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. It raises money for the fight against pediatric cancer. In 2013, they raise over 12 million dollars and there were over 15,000 volunteers (about 25{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of campus). The weekend long event is huge at Penn State and it is something on Penn Staters minds through out the year. Greek Life is also big, with about 15{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students participating in, but it is not something that you need to do to fit in. I am involved with Onward State, the largest read student-run independent news source in the world. There are about 50 students and we are a range of different majors. There are lots of media groups on campus, and it is a good way to expand your writing skills, which are important in every industry. Students around campus usually do not leave their doors open, except in East, where all the freshmen live. Athletic events are extremely popular, especially in the fall. Students care a lot about the football team. Women's volleyball, soccer, field hockey and lacrosse are all popular as well. It's really a great way to get involved and feel connected to the school. Guest speakers, bands and presentations occur almost every weekend at Penn State, and there is something for everyone. It is really worth the student activity fee to attend all of the Penn State events that are available. The dating scene is definitely different than in high school, people go out to lunch or to the movies a few times usually before making it anything serious. I met my closest friends through Onward State, especially by going to socials and taking the opportunities to talk to people outside of meetings. If I am awake at 2 am on a Tuesday, I am likely finishing up some report or homework. Homecoming is a huge tradition every year, where we have one of the longest homecoming parades in the country. People usually party Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays leaving the rest of the week for work. On Saturday nights there are free movies, concerts and other events held at the HUB for free. Off campus there are lots of restaurants to go to.

Penn State has an incredible variety of student groups and activities. As a student, I was heavily involved with the Association of Residence Hall Students, the on-campus student government. As a group, we met weekly to host events for students, help make decisions about on-campus living, and communicate with Penn State staff members about the opinions and advice of students. There are frequently concerts, distinguished speakers, career fairs, sporting events, and many other helpful events that add to the excitement at Penn State. One of the largest organizations at Penn State is the Penn State Dance Marathon, which is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. With over 15,000 student volunteers, the organization was able to raise over $10 million for pediatric cancer research last year. In the residence halls, there are always activities and events as well. Resident Assistants are responsible for planning community-building events to help residents meet each other, find study groups, etc. There are also many opportunities for involvement off-campus. Located in a rural area, there are many parks and outdoor-related activities, as well as exercise trails and hiking routes. In the town of State College, there are movie theatres, a mall, lots of downtown outdoor shopping, and a large variety of delicious, affordable restaurants.

PennState is known for THON, a 46-hour, philanthropic, student organization and charity dance-a-thon to raise money for pediatric cancer, in alliance with the Four Diamonds Fund of Hershey Medical Center. Almost every student organization is involved in THON. We have 3 weekends where students disperse across the East Coast to stand outside shops with cans to collect donations. This year, we raised a whopping $10.6 million. Along with THON, I'm also involved in Grace Notes, a christian acappella group, currently serving as President. We perform around campus and in various churches of our members. I'm also involved in Thespians, a theatre group on campus that is currently rehearsing to debut their spring performance of Aida. I've just recently joined the Songwriter's Club, which hosts various coffeehouse open mic nights for students to enjoy and perform. Being involved is the easiest way to meet people, especially those with common interests. These organizations also allow for an allotted time where the members will be able to converse with each other. With our fast-paced society, it can be hard to settle down and spend time with friends. This is a surefire way for people to find time to really hang and chill with new friends. The one question everyone has: if you're not drinking on the weekends, what else is there to do? PennState offers Late Night At The Hub, an effort to get students to do something other than party. They bring in bands and guest performances, offer arts & crafts, show different movies, have a game room, and provide free food. Students can also find numerous activities to do downtown with friends. You can hang at any cafe, scope out the laser tag scene, listen/watch street performers, etc. We're also a 15-minute drive from a lake beach, a 10-minute drive from Mount Nittany hiking trails, across the street from an arboretum, and a bus ride away from a mall.

There are a host of different groups ranging from ethnicity, to entertainment to sports that it is hard to pick the most popular. I guess THON groups are very popular. Many African-American ethnicity groups are also popular like the NAACP or Black Caucus. I am currently a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and also a diversity reporter at the student newspaper, The Daily Collegian. Students are advised to keep their dorm rooms locked for security reasons. We hear about shootings on campuses, why take the risk? Penn State boasts an excellent football program. We have guest speakers coming every other day. Many organizations bring guest speakers. We have a local State Theater downtown as well. We have football season, THON, cultural events organized by student clubs and organizations. Party scene is pretty robust here. Penn State was ranked#2 party school in the Princeton Review if I'm not wrong. So that gives an idea about greek life. Speaking of partying, State Patty's Day is the student created holiday that takes place in February--a day on which students find it justifies to drink all day long. I don't drink, so I don't see the fun of it.

On the surface Penn State might seem like a campus of white kids. Rich white kids. Or white hick kids. But since coming to school here I have learned that is not the case. Penn State is a pretty diverse place. We have a very active LGBTQA association at our school that puts on events and spreads awareness. For the most part, this group of students is well respected on campus. The A stands for allies, and most Penn State students would own up to being an ally. Most students wear Penn State gear to class. It is acceptable to wear sweatpants and a t-shirt to class. Very few students will even wear their pajamas. Besides on career fair days, when students wear a suit because they are trying to get a job, most students will wear jeans and a polo or a sweater or some kind of nice, but casual shirt. Most of the students are from Pennsylvania, but there are also a lot of students from New Jersey. Penn State also has a large number of international students. At the dinning commons you would see students grouped as Fraternity brothers, Sorority sisters, international students, and then your normal everyday average student. Greek life is big at Penn State, but not everyone does it. Greek life is big, because our school is big. If someone is into Greek life, then they will be able to find a sorority or fraternity to belong to. If someone is not into Greek life, then they will not feel out of place at Penn State. At college, especially in State College, it is easy to live in a bubble. But professors and students keep each other politically aware. Around election time, flyers are handed out and special events are held so that all students can be well educated about all sides of the issues. Penn State is definitely diverse when it comes to political parties, but I would not say that political party choice influences how a student would fit in at Penn State. Because there are so many students at this school, it is easy to find a place to fit in whether it is the Pokemon club or a fraternity.

I'm not going to lie, Penn State is considered a party school...and if this scares you, don't let it. I am not interested in a big party scene myself, and I've had nights where I've been up at 3 in the morning eating pizza, playing twister, and watching movies in a dorm basement with friends from work. There are ways to have fun and you certainly won't run into it frequently if you aren't looking. There really are enough different types of students, that you will find a comfort zone. For example, I met my best friends through the jobs I've had, and through a blue band audition (even though I didn't make it.) Two totally different groups, and yet the experiences have been great in meeting new people.

A lot of people are involved in THON, community service, and sports clubs. I met most of my friends through my organizations.

Thon

Penn State is so big that popularity is hard to judge. Every student is different and makes friends their own way. I have made many friends through the dorm floor, classes, and various clubs I have been in. Football games are very popular events in the fall. I met my closest friends from my dorm floor freshman year, and we introduced each other to our other friends and became a big group that is very close to this day!

Here at PSU we have close to 900 student organizations! There is definitely something for everyone. If you cannot find a student org to join that interests you, then you are encouraged to start your own! We have everything from Greek life, musical groups, dance ensembles, honor societies, and volunteer work. We even have a Harry Potter club, My Name is Bob club, Cookie of the Month club and Penn State Pizza Eaters club. One of the most widely known student activities on campus is the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, more commonly known as THON. THON is year-long fundraising effort that engages more than 15,000 students in the fight against pediatric cancer. It culminates in a 46 hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon held every February. There are tons of ways to get involved either directly in THON by being a Committee Member or Captain or getting involved with fundraising through a separate student organization who benefits THON. At PSU, there are also various levels of athletics. We have intramural, which is the least competitive. There are also club sports, which compete regionally and nationally. Finally, we have division 1 athletics. On the weekends, there is something called Late Night Penn State in the student union building, commonly referred to as the the HUB. Late Night features free movies that are out of theaters but not yet on DVD. There are also free crafts, concerts, comedians, and laser tag along with discounted Sbarro pizza and Starbucks!

Here at PSU we have close to 900 student organizations! There is definitely something for everyone. If you cannot find a student org to join that interests you, then you are encouraged to start your own! We have everything from Greek life, musical groups, dance ensembles, honor societies, and volunteer work. We even have a Harry Potter club, My Name is Bob club, Cookie of the Month club and Penn State Pizza Eaters club. One of the most widely known student activities on campus is the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, more commonly known as THON. THON is year-long fundraising effort that engages more than 15,000 students in the fight against pediatric cancer. It culminates in a 46 hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon held every February. There are tons of ways to get involved either directly in THON by being a Committee Member or Captain or getting involved with fundraising through a separate student organization who benefits THON. At PSU, there are also various levels of athletics. We have intramural, which is the least competitive. There are also club sports, which compete regionally and nationally. Finally, we have division 1 athletics. On the weekends, there is something called Late Night Penn State in the student union building, commonly referred to as the the HUB. Late Night features free movies that are out of theaters but not yet on DVD. There are also free crafts, concerts, comedians, and laser tag along with discounted Sbarro pizza and Starbucks!

I think probably the most prevalent student organizations revolve around THON. THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, and many Penn State students are actively involved in helping the cause: fighting pediatric cancer. Then, there's football. That's probably a major source of Penn State's fame. The games are incredible, and you really cannot go through your four years of undergrad without attending at least one game; it just completes the Penn State experience.

Sororities and fraternities are very popular. There are also a lot of dance groups including the one I'm in, the international dance ensemble which has about 50 people and we learn about 10 dances from other countries taught by people from those countries and perform them at an end of the semester show. Some students leave doors open in dorms but that fades as the semester goes on. Athletic events are ridiculously popular. There are some great guest speakers that come here, from Jane Goodall to Obama to Cousteau. A lot of hooking up but there are also many great guys in science majors who want a relationship. I met my closest friends through dancing events and clubs on campus. If I'm awake at 2am on a Tuesday, I'm studying. I played board games, studied, and went to a ballroom dance social last weekend. There is something called late night every thursday-saturday night where you can make a craft, watch a recent movie, play board games, go to a dance plus other activities that change throughout the semester. Off campus, you can hang out at somebody's apartment, go to the movies, go bowling, paint pottery at 2000 degrees, go to applebees' trivia night, go ice skating, hike mount nittany, etc.

The most popular student activities are the obvious ones. Joining a sorority or fraternity is a big part of my school. There is actually a whole block dedicated to these groups. I am not yet in a sorority but I will be pledging my next semester. These are important because they help people feel even more connected with our school and other students.

Being in a social fraternity and a pre-law fraternity I feel that I am qualified to say that being a part of Greek life is probably the most important, entertaining, and fulfilling decisions I have made during my undergraduate years here at Penn State. I have an enormous social group due to these organizations and more opportunities/connections for later down the road than I know what to do with.

THON is a 46 hour dance marathon that takes place at Penn State every year. It is the largest student run fundraiser in the world and a great tradition at PSU.

Promo Video for the 2008 Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon