Now that fall is nearly here, it’s time for high school seniors to begin applying to colleges and deciding where to spend some of the best years of their lives. Hopefully, Penn State is on your list.

Back in the good ol’ days, prospective students could take a trip to Penn State’s beautiful, lively campus and see all it has to offer. Now, with a global pandemic going on seven months strong, that’s a little challenging.

Fortunately, virtual tours, open houses, and online resources are helping prospective Nittany Lions learn more about everything Penn State offers from the comfort of their own homes.

Tours

While Penn State currently provides in-person tours for visits of 10 or more students that must be scheduled two weeks in advance, there are other ways to “visit” and gain a sense of the university’s culture. 

Penn State currently provides virtual tours for University Park, transfer students, and more. During these online visits, you’ll be joined by tour guides, Penn State’s Lion Ambassadors, and the Student Minority Advisory Recruitment Team (SMART) for a webinar that includes a virtual tour and Q&A session.

“It’s a shame that students don’t get to see the beauty of Penn State in-person,” student tour guide Bing Xin Zhang said. “But at the same time, virtual tours give us an opportunity to provide more details to the students.”

Student Organization & Affairs

Students can also check out the university’s student organization and affairs page to see all Penn State has to offer and explore what they’re interested in. There are more than 1,000 registered student organizations on campus! 

Research the college you are interested in and their websites and social media pages. Also, be sure to take a look at their calendar and past events. Penn State’s Multicultural Outreach program is another great resource for multicultural students who want to learn about Penn State.

The university will also be hosting a virtual open house, called Penn State Days, from September 26 to October 10. There, representatives will inform prospective students on the academic and student life experiences the university has to offer. 

Social Media

If you’re hoping to connect with other prospective students, Facebook and Instagram pages for your class year are a great way to make friends. As the time comes closer to making a decision, there will be an official Facebook page. If all else fails, hit up TikTok and Youtube for campus tours and vlogs. 

Prospective students can still make the most out of the situation and get a sense of the Penn State community and its resources. You just need to try!