Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College
Erie, PA, USA

Reviews

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Danielle from Erie, PA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Although what you learn depends mostly on you the teachers also have a part in how a student learns. At Penn State the teachers take extra time out of their day to assist you along with most of the other staff. Everyone is willing to help and be sure that everyone is successful.
Am enjoying being here
Penn State is close to home for me but it is still a new experience and either are a lot of activities to help every student get involved and meet new people. Even being stuck on campus during a snow storm is a relaxing enjoyable time.
Bang for the buck
Students are receiving a Penn State degree and although it is not cheap it is well worth the money. Money is not just being payed for a degree at the end in every class students are learning skills to help them in a career.
Tips for prospective students
It is a difficult school make sure you go in with the right mind set and ask for help when you need it.
Great for these types of students
Dedicated driven students who want the best education to go along with their degree.

William from Jefferson Hills, PA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
There are many course offerings and very knowledgeable faculty members.
Am enjoying being here
The winters are long, lots of snow, but the atmosphere is great, and the peninsula is beautiful during the summer time.
Bang for the buck
A little cheaper than going to University Park, with what I consider a better learning experience, what is called the Behrend Experience.
Tips for prospective students
If you are interested in engineering or business this could be the school for you. The engineering and business programs here are top notch and this is one of the few places that has almost all of the engineering disciplines as well as their technology counterparts.
Great for these types of students
Students who like the small class atmosphere. There are a select few classes with more than say 35 students in them. Great if you want a big university on a smaller scale.

Katie from Erie, PA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Penn State Erie-The Behrend college is a school that will challenge you academically, socially, and mentally in the best ways possible. It is a school that demands all-nighters and weeds out procrastination. This will not be the easiest four years of your life, but they will be the best.
Tips for prospective students
Apply early and try to get into the honor's program as honor students, athletes, and adult students all get to schedule classes early. When you get into the later years, being able to get all the classes you want, at the times you want, is a beautiful thing.
Also, learn to love the cold and how to stay warm in it. Last winter we experienced temperatures at -20 F, so bundle up! You will need a quality jacket, water proof boots, gloves, a scarf, a hood (or ear muffs!), and muscles! (Walking up hill with 20lbs on your back in the snow isn't the easiest thing).
Don't buy your books from the bookstore unless you absolutely have to. (For example, there may be an online code you need for class, or a teacher's special edition copy). There are websites like chegg.com and bookrenter.com that normally have the same books at a cheaper price. You should also consider renting-you won't need that writer's handbook when you start your career (all of it can be googled). Nor will you need that Art History book, if you are an engineer! Buy and rent smart! Also, don't buy t-shirts from the bookstore. You will be given free t-shirt all the time. Don't waste your money.
Lastly, go to Bingo (trust me, they give out the BEST stuff) and all the events on campus. You're paying for them, might as well enjoy them.
Academic Rigor
You will be challenged to go outside of your comfort zone and think about things you have never been presented with. The Management 301 project challenges you to raise $1,000 for an organisation in the community as a team. You will have projects that you can put on a resume, and can apply to your career.
Dorm Life
Honestly, I've never lived in a dorm on campus. I commute from a family member's home nearby. From what I've seen there are some good dorms, and poor dorms. It just depends are where you are placed. Freshman seem to get the lower quality dorms, while upperclassmen have a larger selection. Look for places nearby before you select a dorm, it may be cheaper. If you want to live in a nice place, I recommend Hudson Lofts. Its pricey, but you get your own bathroom, room, and share a living area and kitchen.
Food and Dining
There is limited dining on campus, and the food tends to be overpriced, especially for commuters. Expect to pay $11+ for dinner at the buffet on campus if you have a credit card and no meal plan ($2 with a meal plan). Or $6 for a sub par ham and cheese panini. It is recommended that you pack your food often.
What to do for fun
If you have a car or a friend who has a car there is quite a bit to do! In the summer there are festivals downtown in Erie, and plays to go to. You can go fishing, hunting, swimming, and biking down at the peninsula. At Peak N' Peak nearby there is snowboarding and tubing in the winter. On campus there is a number of groups to join, and events every Friday, so you won't be bored often.
Bang for the buck
Overall, it is a little costly and you don't receive much financial aid. If they lowered the price by $2,000-$5,000 I feel it would be more realistic. The school does offer a lot for students, and the faculty is very interactive, but $20,000/year is still a large amount for out-of-state students.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
I haven't been there yet, but everyone seems to go to the gorge at least once during their time at Behrend. Its nearby and a bit of a hike, but I've heard its a very beautiful place to visit.
You also have to have ice cream from the crematory at main campus-it is the best!
Great for these types of students
Determined and focused. In order to get the best out of college you need to be willing to go to class in any weather, pay attention to what the teacher is presenting to you, and do outside reading/research. If you think you can just half-try at what you're doing, you should save your money and not attend.
Clubs and Activities
Large selection of clubs who are very active on campus. Most everyone in the clubs are friendly and want to become friends outside of working on the club. I recommend Thon and LEB for new students, they are very social and helpful on campus.
Greek Life
There is a strong Greek presence on campus- if you are looking to join Greek life, you'll find some here!
Campus Safety
I have never felt unsafe walking around campus. Even walking around at 4am, I feel safe here. There are blue buttons on campus that you can press if you feel unsafe, everyone on campus tends to be very friendly and kind, and you can have someone walk you along campus if you need to. It is away from the city so the only people that really come to campus are students, and even with its hills you can see what is going on around you at all times.

Jacob from Mars, PA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Penn State Behrend is great its big enough to offer a lot of things smaller campuses can't while still being small enough for a lot of individual attention. The staff is always very nice and helpful. It's always a fun time there, Can't wait to go back in the fall.
Tips for prospective students
Come prepared, bring your winter gear the winters in erie can be brutal. Make sure you bring a variety of clothes because the weather is pretty bipolar and unpredictable. Apply here before any other branch campus of Penn State this one is the best
Academic Rigor
Academics are take very seriously, the professors are very helpful and always have office hours. There is also very helpful free tutoring programs, and help sessions for every subject.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is great, the coordinators are helpful with solving problems, the RA's are very nice and are usually more worried about safety than getting people in trouble. I met most of my good friends in my dorm. Dorm life is great.
Food and Dining
Food is good, there are 2 main options on campus Dobbin's which is all you can eat and is the best for the money, and Bruno's which is more of an al a carte pay per item kind of thing. Both have pretty good food but honestly its no 5 star restaurant but you can live off it
What to do for fun
School sponsored events,
Bang for the buck
For the money you spend you recieve a rich college experiance, and are a graduate of Penn State one of the most recognized names of any college. That's some bang for your buck.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
At Behrend we have amazing amounts of woods and wildlife surrounding us. Walking right off campus you can go to an area that we call the gorge where you can swim, hike, run, and do a whole bunch of outdoor activities.
Great for these types of students
Students who are content hanging out with people and like the winter and the woods.. because unfortunately there isn't any fun places in walking distance you have to drive to most of them.
Clubs and Activities
There are a lot of clubs, intramural sports, and fun activities to do at behrend.
Greek Life
Greek life is average we have a few fraternities and sororities who are very involved in the school, and have great events and parties.
Campus Safety
Safety is a huge thing at Behrend, there is emergency help buttons everywhere and call boxes on most doors and entryways. Campus Safety Officers are Amazing, they are always on patrol and are more worried about your safety not trying to get you into trouble

Nathan from Erie, PA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Penn State Behrend is a great college that graduates very intelligent students and is worth the money. The campus is beautiful and the environment is friendly and homey.
Tips for prospective students
Try new things and don't be afraid to ask others for help
Academic Rigor
The classes provide an interesting challenge that always keeps you interested.
Great for these types of students
Anyone who isn't shy and who loves to try new things.

Amber from Fairview, PA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Behrend is a small campus that allows you to get to classes quickly. There are multitudes of activities to do around here ranging from hiking to gaming. It's an awesome school to attend if you want pretty good one on one attention with teachers.
Tips for prospective students
Bring warm clothes for winter along with dress clothes for different classes and interviews you might have. Come if you're a STEM major.
Academic Rigor
The classes can be a little tricky to handle especially once you get into your major required courses but it's worth it in the end. The only issue is that behrend is for STEM majors. All others feel like their education isn't worth it.
Dorm Life
I don't live in a dorm but they appear nice, especially in the common rooms. The only down side for freshmen is that there isn't AC.
Food and Dining
Behrend has the second best college food in Erie but don't get me wrong too much of a good thing makes it not so good.
What to do for fun
There is Wintergreen Gorge right next to the campus so hiking is very popular. There is also a game room where you can borrow different gaming gear but still recommend you bring your own games. There's also a night life where you can do random things like glow dance after 11pm.
Bang for the buck
It's overall a good school. Everything is in pretty close proximity and you get awesome attention to detail here.
Great for these types of students
STEM majors
Clubs and Activities
There are a lot of clubs that you can do especially for a given major. You even have individual honors societies for psychology majors, engineering majors, etc.
Greek Life
We have greek life but it's not great.
Campus Safety
We have very good campus safety where the safety center is close to major areas students would be.

Jessica from Erie, PA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The class sizes are perfect, not too big and not too small! Both the students and professors are very kind and helpful. Also, the classes are great, they really prepare you for after college.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved! There is a ton of things to do from clubs that pertain to your major, to fraternities/sororities, and club sports.
Academic Rigor
Classes are very helpful. They are not the easiest, but college is meant to be challenging to help prepare you for after school when you are out looking for a job.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is great. The dorms are set up nicely. You have many choices between what building you want to live in, and also have the choice of staying in a suite. The rooms are a good size and comfortable.
Food and Dining
Dining is great. There is a buffet style dining hall. Also, there is an ala carte dining hall that sells sandwiches, salads, desserts, and also includes a made to order sub kiosk. There are several coffee shops around campus that serve Starbucks Coffee, bagels, pastries, and grap and go wraps.

Cayla from Latrobe, PA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
This is a beautiful campus. It has the right amount of students, not to big or to small, and had helpful professors. I Love Penn State Behrend.
Tips for prospective students
If you do not do well in cold weather i would try and look for something new.
Academic Rigor
This is a great school if you are interested in majors such as engineering or other sciences. Also this is a wonderful school for a business degree. Along with many other majors, once you graduate, you get to go home with a Penn State degree!
Dorm Life
I lived in Perry Hall. I recommend living in a dorm hall at least your freshman year. The dorm is where you get to meet the majority of your friends. It gives you a great experience!
Food and Dining
The food and dining was always good but it did get a little repetitive having to eat most of the same things everyday. Currently living off campus, i do miss the food.
What to do for fun
For fun i play on the Penn State Behrend Women's soccer team. Also there is a chance to do many clubs and intramural activities.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
My favorite part about campus is the gorge. It's a beautiful relaxing place on campus as a fun and relaxing way to escape the books.
Clubs and Activities
There are many clubs and activities here that you can get involved in. I recommend them because they look good on resumes and they are fun to participate in!
Campus Safety
This campus is very safe. Around campus they have certain lite poles in which have buttons you can press if you are ever in an emergency. I have went on many night walk and runs and have never ran into trouble or felt unsafe.