Penn State recently launched a new online virtual tour to give prospective students a comprehensive view of what University Park is really like. This new campus guide could help bring in more out-of-state and international students for whom visiting campus might be impossible.

This new tour is a huge step up from the previous virtual tour, which displayed a simple map of campus where users could stop at a few specific buildings and read a very brief and vague description of why that place is important (see below).

The new virtual tour is set up much like Google Earth. It starts at the Allen Street Gates where you are introduced to one of your tour guides, Corinne. From the gates, you can click on the white arrows on the ground to “walk” through campus, stopping at the most popular buildings such as Old Main, the HUB, the residence halls, academic buildings, and more.

In addition to the extensive history lessons and other random fun facts (like how West Halls has the unquestionably best cookies on campus), the stops also include pictures inside the buildings, videos, and the occasional 360 panoramic views inside the buildings.

This new tour shows prospective students a comprehensive portrayal of what the university and the campus environment is truly like, and even gives the student tour guides a run for their money. Although I will say that Penn State must have used a whole lot of Photoshop to brighten the images, because I have NEVER seen Old Main lawn look this green.