As the last round of college applications flow in and decisions begin to roll out, the toughest part of the admissions process lies ahead: actually picking a school.

With that in mind, our youngest staffers offered up their thoughts on what ultimately led them to Happy Valley. While the list of reasons to pick Penn State is seemingly endless, it’ll always be a tough decision. Perhaps their experiences will point you in Dear Old State’s direction.

Abby Han

Making the decision to come to Penn State was both the easiest and hardest thing I’ve ever done.

On one hand, I grew up spending what felt like more time in Happy Valley than at home, and I ate way more Creamery ice cream and grilled stickies than I could ever dream of (and it’s probably why I was so hyper all the time). And while Penn State always felt like home, I sometimes wondered if I was taking the easy route and choosing a school just because everyone had always expected me to go there, mostly because I had never allowed myself to imagine going anywhere else.

I soon realized that was exactly why I wanted to go to Penn State. I couldn’t imagine myself going anywhere else. Everything about it was perfect. There was no question that Penn State would offer me a great education, but what truly made it stand out was the experience I would have outside of the classroom.

Just walking around campus, you can feel the energy around you. The school spirit is unmatched. Along with that, Penn State attracts people from all parts of the country and even the world. Even in my short time as a Nittany Lion, I have gotten to know some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met, and I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything else.

Anna Wiggins

If you told me this time last year that I was going to be going to Penn State in the fall, there’s no way I would have believed you. I was committed to ballet throughout high school, so dancing in college was undoubtedly the next step. However, when I got turned down from my dream program, I took it as a sign to close one chapter of my life and start a new one.

My decision came down to a smaller state school super close to home and Penn State, and for a while, I was convinced I wanted to go to the state school. My head was telling me Penn State was the better option, but it wasn’t until I visited the campus and town that I fell in love and the decision felt right.  

When it comes down to it, Penn State has some of the best schools for programs I’m interested in, as well as a massive alumni community that will be helpful for networking. You also simply can’t beat the school spirit and the classic college and college town experience. Oh, and I can count on one hand the number of people from my high school here. Looking back on this decision nine months later, I couldn’t be happier and more certain of my decision. I can’t wait to see what the next few years have in store.

Annie Kubiak

Penn State was my No. 1 pick all throughout high school. I applied to only three other schools because I knew that if I was accepted, I would go here. Both my mom and sister graduated from Penn State so my family and I took many weekend trips to campus, and I quickly fell in love. I loved the atmosphere and all the activity buzzing around campus.

Coming from a high school with less than eighty people in my graduating class where everyone knew your business, I knew that I wanted to go to a big school for college. I also knew that the Smeal College of Business would give me many opportunities for internships and careers and help me find my footing in the real world.

What really solidified my decision was when I told my mom that I “see myself going to college here” while we were visiting campus. Even though she knew that I wanted to go to Penn State, she made me look at a couple of other schools, but none vibed with me. I felt at home at Penn State before I was even a student. Now, a year later, I am very happy with my decision. There have been a few bumps along the road due to COVID-19, but I have met so many great people and made many memories in my first semester.

Connor Krause

As the son of two Penn State alumni, attending the university was the easiest decision I’ve ever made. I have bled blue and white since birth and always dreamed of following the footsteps of a long lineage of family members who once called Penn State home.

What sets Penn State apart from other schools is how well-rounded the university is from an academic standpoint. From early education to aerospace engineering, Penn State is nationally ranked in just about every program. If you aren’t sure what you’d like to study, Penn State is the perfect place to immerse yourself in new subjects and learn where your true passions lie.

Although I’d like to say I chose Penn State solely for academic reasons, I’d be lying if I said sports were not a major factor in my love for the school. I have been a die-hard Penn State football fan for as long as I can remember and love nothing more than fall Saturdays in Beaver Stadium. I’ve been to countless away games on other Big Ten campuses and can honestly say that nothing compares to the energy felt on gamedays in Happy Valley.

Mackenna Yount

I come from a huge Penn State family, so I’ve been familiar with the school from day one. I picked Penn State because of the community and opportunities that come with being a student here. All the advisers, students, and professors I talked to when making my decisions were super friendly and put my wants and needs first. I felt like Penn State and the College of Agriculture really wanted me to be a part of the community. The Food Science perks, especially the Berkey Creamery, were also a huge selling point. Who doesn’t love ice cream?

Rico Gore

Penn State’s campus. That was it — nothing else. Well, I also got sick of looking.