Type: Private
State: Pennsylvania
Website: www.scranton.edu


Quick Overview:
Large classes, beer and hard liquor is popular, great library

The word from: the Students
Being a Jesuit school Scranton strives not only to provide a rich and meaningful academic experience to its students but also to help their ambitions grow, so its to be expected to be challenged to become a better person, to develop a strong convern for the poor and marginalized, and to grow spiritually and intellectually. All this while not making you have to face religion directly. Undergrads are encoraged to broaden their knowledge in other fields besides their majors as well. Special education, occupational education, biology and business are just a few examples of quality majors available at Scranton University to choose from. The workload can sometimes be overwhelming but students can attend the Tutoring Center that provides free tutoring to anyone needing it as well as offering positions for work-study to students who qualify to tutor. Not only this but professors are very helpful and will do everything in their reach to aid, guide and make sure students understand the subjects. As for the administration, its great and always trying to be in touch with students needs.

There's a real sense of community at Scranton University, a close one at it as well. As for activities outside of classes, there are plenty of options on the weekends from trips, to dances, movies for free. Be it the school or student organizations, there is always much variety to choose from. Intramural's and varsity sports are always an option too. Due to the nature of the school, being Jesuit, social issues are a big concern, being taught in classes students often do a lot of volunteering work. Hometown Scranton is not that much of a small town, it provides Scranton's students with a wide array of places and activities such as malls, movie theaters, a zoo, bowling alley and even a skiing/snowboarding mountain. As for party goers there are places for them as well, since students here party a lot, dance, meet people, drink and have fun, there's always at least one party going on any given day of the week.

Typically the Scranton student is a white, Catholic suburban person, that of course is a generalization. Scranton has diversity too even if it's 2 ends of the same spectrum, there are people here that care for religion and others that don't for example. Theology is part of the curriculum but not at all an imposed belief and the school leaves room for personal opinion and respects everyone. People are friendly and welcoming, the common cliques in other schools are almost nonexistent around Scranton University and popularity comes from being a nice person, outgoing and friendly to everyone.

Type: Public
State: Pennsylvania
Website: www.iup.edu


Quick Overview:
Small classes, student groups and frats are very common and popular as well as student publications. Drinking is a popular activity along side smoking.


The word from: the Students

Indiana University of Pennsylvania is a nice place to study. Said to be academically challenging although not overwhelmingly hard if of course some effort is put into it. Great professors and even greater availability, not needing any kind of special appointment to get in contact with and are very well concerned with the students welfare and academic growth. These educators and the fact that classes have a relative small size make it so that it's possible for students to develop their critical thinking and it's even possible for those with the need for a bigger challenge to enroll in honors programs and classes. As for the administration, it is said that it sometimes can be a little out of touch with the world with constant changes they make but still accessible to any one that needs aid, although in some cases scheduling problems can be an issue. Overall at IUP there is potential to get as good of an education as any other college or university in the U.S. students just have to make the effort to learn.

Socializing is a big part of the IUP experience. Since it's location is in a more village area, parties are a great way to pass the time and have fun. The large majority of these involve alcohol of course but there are alternatives to those parties like movie nights and games. When the weather is nice there are also out door activities to be enjoyed. Clubs and other associations are popular at IUP making it another viable alternative to past the time and meet people.
The town also provides nice places to hang out, like a theater, pool hall, bowling alleys, restaurants and bars.

As for its student body, IUP is diverse, contrary to the local area. Being a public university makes it a mix of many different people. Students can meet and socialize with a diversity of people from conservatives to unique. It's easy to find people with similar interests given such array of diverse individuals. Even if frats and sororities are popular within campus, there is always some place to fit in at IUP, overall it's a very down to earth community.

Type: Private
State: Pennsylvania
Website: www.upenn.edu


Quick Overview:
Great infrastructures, library and athletic facilities, good food off-campus, satisfied students.


The word from: the Students

At UPenn, everyone shares the same intellectual curiosity and the top-notch resources offered. It's strong academic reputation and large alumni network are enough reasons to be proud of the school. Students are very passionate about what they do in and out of class and take all the opportunities given at UPenn. Its four undergrad schools are very focused on the future of their students, for instance Wharton has a great professional atmosphere. Students are kept motivated and competitive in their studies during the week. This career centered attitude is well noted among students, with more space for creativity than to step on each other.

Professors can get caught in their own research and leaving classes a bit behind, but there are not many places where you can be taught by people that are references in their fields of knowledge. If you put time and effort into it professors will gladly aid in whatever they can. They can be however quite challenging academically. The administration is very professional and helpful, really concerned about their students.
In short UPenn offers academic opportunities like no where else.


Partying at UPenn can be the most intense out of all ivy league universities or colleges. There is a clear effort not to have classes on Friday so that the weekend starts earlier. When it comes to mid terms and finals though, people get into it seriously and study. Besides the entertainment offered by New York and Philadelphia on the weekends, there's also plenty of restaurants, shopping, concerts and sports games, as well as just hanging with fellow students to play console games. The school makes it so that there are always plenty guest speakers, cultural events, clubs and organizations for students to keep themselves busy and so
people are always trying to balance school work during the week and all the activity during weekends.

The general population of UPenn is very career-focused, takes classes pretty seriously, politically tends to be left and the majority is of type A personality. The sense of personal style is very strong among students and no group deviates much from the typical stereotypes.