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Experience Penn State

Virtually explore Penn State in a fully immersive 360-degree experience.

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Visit Penn State Engineering

A great way to decide if Penn State Engineering is right for you is to visit us! Please note, the College of Engineering is unable to accommodate individual visits. Choose from an engineering-specific visit or attend one of the university-wide events below. You can sign up for these programs, as available, on the  Penn State Admissions website .  

College of Engineering Prospective Student Visits (PSV)

Hosted by the College of Engineering at University Park during the fall and spring semesters, these visits are customized to your interests and include an engineering facilities tour led by a current student tour guide from the ESTAR (Engineering Student Tours and Resources) student group . Upon registration, prospective students will have the opportunity to select sessions led by our undergraduate majors, minors, and more.    

The schedule for our PSVs will be updated in August for the fall semester and early December for the spring semester. To register for these visits, please visit the College of Engineering  event calendar .

University-wide Visits: 

Undergraduate admissions information session and campus tour.

Hosted by the Office of Admissions, the Admissions Session and Tour is for prospective high school students who are interested in learning more about Penn State and the application process. Your visit will include an information session presented by an admissions counselor and a general campus walking tour. To register for these visits, please visit the university-wide event calendar .

Spend a Summer Day

Spend a Summer Day, Penn State’s main summer visit program enables future students and their families to explore campus and attend information sessions about various topics, including the undergraduate admissions process, financial aid, and academic colleges.   

The College of Engineering offers a general information session and the opportunity to learn about each of our majors as a part of the full-day program for the Spend a Summer Day programs held at University Park each July/August. To register for these visits, please visit the university-wide event calendar .

Penn State Day

Penn State Day takes place early in the fall semester and is a chance for those unable to visit over the summer to learn more about the undergraduate admissions process, financial aid, and academic colleges, and to explore campus. The College of Engineering offers a college overview. To register for these visits, please visit the university-wide event calendar .   

• Scholars Day

The Schreyer Honors College admissions office presents Scholars Day, a comprehensive look at the Schreyer Honors College and Penn State, in the fall and spring.  To learn more, please visit the Sch reyer Honors College website .    

Admitted Student Events

Hosted by the Office of Admissions, student s who receive an offer of admission from Penn State will be invited to attend one of many admitted student events (ASE) hosted from mid-February through April. This full-day visit includes all the information you’ll need to make an informed decision about your offer. As part of the program, the College of Engineering will host a college overview session and engineering-specific facilities tour led by the ESTAR student group .   

To learn more and to register, please visit the  Admitted Student Events website .

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Penn State Lion Life

The penn state student experience as told by undergraduate admissions bloggers., 9 places to see on your first psu visit.

September 28, 2016 by Alexandra Maniglia Leave a Comment

Your first time on campus is such an exciting time. There are so many things to see, and your trip can only last so long (but don’t worry, you will have four more years here). That being said,  it’s important to make sure you visit some of the key places to get the ultimate Penn State experience!

• Hands down, if you’re only able to visit one place on campus, you should make sure to visit the HUB. The HUB is pretty much the center of all things Penn State. There’s the Penn State Bookstore, the THON store, a state of the art radio station, and honestly anything you could imagine.  If you can avoid going around lunch time, you’ll be able to see all of the hustle and bustle of campus, without the huge lunch rush.

2. Pollock, Findlay, Waring, and South Commons

• The dining halls, affectionately known as the commons, are where students living both on campus and off can come to study, grab food, or even play ping pong. These commons will most likely become your go-to dinner spots when you come to Penn State.

3. The Arboretum

• If you plan on visiting the Creamery, the Arboretum is a must see while you’re on that side of campus. The Arboretum is full of incredible scenery and waterfalls alike. Nothing beats going there on a beautiful day!

4. Your Potential College’s Home Building

• Visiting your college’s home building is a great thing to do if you’re able! Your college’s home building typically is where the college’s dean, professors and advising team are located. It’s a great idea to get acquainted with this building since you’ll most likely frequent it!

5. The Lion Shrine

• If you’re on campus, you might as well take a picture to commemorate your exciting day! The Lion Shrine honors our beloved mascot, the Nittany Lion, and is a must-see while you’re exploring campus!

6. The Pattee and Paterno Libraries

• The library is probably my favorite place on campus, and there’s an endless amount of new rooms to explore each time you walk through its halls. Not only are there some interesting rooms, there’s a cafe called McKinnon’s located in the basement, which is the perfect way to get you through your future study sessions!

7. McLanahans

• McLanahans is packed on game day, so if you’re looking to see where you can get some Penn State attire, unique gifts for your friends and snacks, this is the place to be!

8. The Corner Room

• The Corner Room is another Penn State staple. Located on Allen Street, this is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat, or watch a snowstorm cover happy valley!

9. The Berkey Creamery

• Who doesn’t love ice cream? I might be biased, but I’m pretty sure the creamery has some of the greatest ice cream on the planet. It’s the perfect way to treat yourself after your day of exploring campus!

We can’t wait for you to come visit our home away from home!

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Plan Your Visit

The Smeal College of Business welcomes prospective students and their families to visit Penn State and the college in University Park, PA.

Visit Undergraduate Admissions

We encourage all prospective students and their families to schedule a visit to Penn State through the Undergraduate Admissions Office. A visit to the admissions office includes an information session with an admissions officer and a tour of campus by Penn State students.

The admissions office hosts a number of events for students and their families. Be sure to visit the Undergraduate Admissions site to view a listing of events and to register.

Visit the Smeal College of Business

Using the link above, navigate to "Prospective First-Year Students".

Spend a Summer Day

If you plan on visiting Penn State and the Smeal College of Business in the summer, we encourage you to visit during a Spend a Summer Day event. On multiple days in the summer, you can visit the campus and attend a variety of events, including an information session by the Undergraduate Admissions Office, campus and facilities tours, and presentations by different colleges, including the Smeal College of Business.

For Students with Offers of Admission

Every spring, students with offers of admission  to the Smeal College of Business at the University Park campus are invited to attend an information session specifically for them. Invitations with details are included in your offer packet. For more information or to register, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office .

For Students with Offers to the Sapphire Leadership Academic Program

Some students with offers of admission to the Smeal College of Business may be also invited by e-mail to participate in the Sapphire Leadership Academic Program.

If you have received an offer of admission to this program, call us at 814-863-1947 to learn about visit times designated specifically for you.

Penn State University Park

Penn state university park on-campus visits.

Penn State University Park is pleased to offer limited on-campus visits for students and limited guests. Pre-registration is required, and participants must agree to follow all safety protocols outlined below in the Visit Requirements. All students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Visit Requirements:

• You must complete a  Campus Visit Acknowledgement form and bring it with you on the day of your visit. For registrants under the age of 18, the form must be signed by the parent/guardian who will accompany you.
• If you or anyone in your party becomes ill, you must contact the campus to cancel your visit. We will be happy to try to reschedule it for a later date.
• Any student under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All guests must be listed on the registration form.
• No more than two guests may accompany the student, acknowledging all siblings and children of any age (including infants) are included in the total guest count allotment.
• Visitors should arrive to tour location 15minutes prior to the scheduled visit time. Visitors who arrive after their scheduled tour time cannot be accommodated on a later tour.
• The visit will include a campus tour only and does not include an information session.
• Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated guests are required to wear a face mask that properly covers nose and mouth while indoors or on public transportation. If you or anyone in your party are unable to wear a face mask, we are happy to accommodate you at a virtual visit .
• Guests will participate in visits or tours with other families.
• Visitors understand that academic college representatives and other Penn State offices are not open and cannot accept walk-ins, making the visit with admissions the only available programming for guests on campus.
• Visitors recognize that additional academic spaces and buildings not on the approved tour route, including classrooms, libraries, labs, etc., may not be available to enter at any time while guests are on campus.
• Penn State may postpone or cancel your visit for any reason for the safety of our guests, students, and staff. You will be notified if your visit is canceled.

For virtual visit opportunities you can review our Experience Penn State page to find additional online resources, answers to frequently asked questions and information about next steps in the admissions process.

Please use the calendar to schedule a visit that fits best for you.

Penn State Undergraduate Admissions 201 Shields Bldg, 664 Curtin Road University Park, PA 16802

Phone: 

Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET Monday - Friday

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Welcome to Penn State 

Students, faculty, and staff from all over the world study and work at Penn State campuses across Pennsylvania and the World Campus. We invite you to learn more about studying, teaching, researching, and working with us. Whether you’re visiting virtually or in person, come experience all Penn State has to offer.  

Plan Your Visit

• ADA Parking and Access
• Campus Tours
• Lion Ambassadors Alumni Tours
• The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau

Attractions

• Berkey Creamery
• The Arboretum at Penn State
• Penn State Golf Courses
• Shaver's Creek Environmental Center

• Bryce Jordan Center
• Penn State Centre Stage
• Center for the Performing Arts

Accommodations

• The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel
• Off-Campus Lodging Guide

Additional Resources

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News for Visitors

Penn State Sustainability hosts screening of pro-democracy film at State Theatre

September 16, 2024

Graduate students can now register for annual Three Minute Thesis Competition

Penn State’s Emergency Medical Services program ignites a future doctor’s passion

Transportation Services announces fall 2024 Bike Den event schedule

The Pennsylvania State University 201 Old Main University Park, PA 16802

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Brainwashed Tour at The Pennsylvania State University

Thu, September 19, 2024 - 12:00 pm (US/Eastern)

Join Charlie Kirk for an interactive tabling event during the day on campus as part of his Brainwashed Tour!

Conditions of Entry and Special Events Zone: - All persons and property will be searched - Be prepared for airport-like screening - Audience will be video recorded - Rules subject to change without notice - No re-entry Prohibited Items: - Bags, backpacks, messenger bags - Skateboards, bicycles - Balloons, laser pointers, umbrellas - Sticks, poles, bats, etc. - Food, beverages, containers, water bottles - Weapons, ammunition, knives, projectiles, pepper spray, expandable batons, firearms (NO CCW in Event Zone) or other hazardous items - Tactical gear including but not limited to helmets, body armor, shields, etc. - Signs, banners, flyers, posters, stickers - Alcohol, drugs, paraphernalia - Amplified sound or other noise makers - Animals (service animals permitted) *Video and audio surveillance will be in use *Visibly intoxicated or disruptive individuals will be refused entry or ejected. By providing your phone number, you consent to receive marketing text messages from TPUSA.

You may only register one ticket per mobile number per event. All tickets are subject to first come first serve basis.

A confirmation SMS will be sent to your phone. Please follow the instructions to confirm your ticket(s). You will not be registered until you verify by phone.

Your Session has expired

Please reload this page if you would like to continue signing up for this event

Event Details

Parking, traffic and transit information for Penn State football vs. Kent State

Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State . Creative Commons

September 17, 2024

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State football will host Kent State at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Beaver Stadium. Premium gates open at 12:30 p.m., Family Friendly gates open at 1 p.m. and all other public gates open at 1:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early.

Game day and weekend event parking

Football parking areas near Beaver Stadium (between Bigler Road and Mount Nittany Medical Center) are managed by Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics and require a football permit, which is only valid in the assigned lot. Lots will open this week at 8 a.m. For more information, visit  gopsusports.com , call 1-800-NITTANY, or email  [email protected] . 

Additional on-campus parking on football game days is available through Penn State Transportation Services at all five campus parking decks (East, Eisenhower, HUB, Nittany, West). Visitors wishing to park overnight must park at one of the decks. Overnight visitor parking is prohibited at all other parking areas.

Weekend event rates apply only to vehicles parked on Saturday. Otherwise, standard rates apply. Use pay stations prior to returning to your vehicle to exit. Cash is not accepted in exit lanes.

Lost ticket fees will be $50 on Saturday and Sunday and must be paid at the exit lane by credit card only.

Tailgating is strictly prohibited at campus parking decks.

East, HUB and Nittany decks:

• Any vehicle parking in the deck on Saturday will have the following rate applied: $2 for the first hour and $1 for the second hour if parked for less than two hours, $40 if more than two hours
• The daily parking rate of $2 for the first hour and $1 per hour up to the $16 daily maximum applies for all other days.
• Any vehicle parking in the deck on Saturday will have the following rate applied: $2 for the first hour and $1 for the second hour if parked for less than two hours, $25 if more than two hours

Eisenhower Deck:

• Parking from Friday through Sunday 11:59 p.m.: $45, payable through HONK zone PSUYF upon entry
• Parking Saturday Only: $40, cash only paid upon entry

Game day parking closures — faculty, staff and student parking access

The following campus parking lots will close at midnight Friday night in advance of Saturday's home football game:

• Commuter lots (Jordan East, Stadium West, Porter North, Porter South)
• Orange L (all sections)
• Yellow H (all sections)
• Orange A OPP (east and west)
• Orange A Katz
• Orange A HFS (Section along Services Road)
• Orange H (all sections north of Hastings Road)
• Orange O (ICA Service Center/Meats Lab)
• Silver J (all sections)

In addition to these areas, the east half of Orange U, located just east of USB I and II, will also be reserved beginning at midnight Friday night.

All vehicles, including department vehicles, must be removed from these areas no later than midnight Friday night. Access to these areas will reopen after outbound football traffic has ended. Vehicles not removed from these areas by 2 a.m. Saturday morning will be towed.

On home football Saturdays, faculty/staff parking permits are honored at all faculty/staff parking lots located west of Bigler Road, and student parking permits are honored at all areas located west of Bigler Road that normally allow student parking on weekends (see the lots highlighted in yellow with the E/W symbol on the  student parking interactive map . 

For a more convenient exit from campus after the football game and to provide greater capacity for visitors at the parking decks, faculty/staff and student permit holders are encouraged to use surface parking areas instead of parking decks on football game days.

Email  [email protected]  or call 814-865-1436 for more information related to on-campus parking managed by Penn State Transportation Services.

Increased fine amounts for parking violations on event weekends

Drivers are reminded that all vehicles must be parked within all lines of a legal, non-reserved parking space. Vehicles parked on the roadways, curbside ends of rows, etc., are subject to ticketing and/or towing at the owner's expense. All parking areas require either head-in parking or for the vehicle to be parked so that the license plate faces the drive aisle. Please check lot entrance signage for the requirement for each parking area. All space-specific signage, such as ADA, service, and reserved spaces, remain in effect and are strictly enforced. In addition, increased fine amounts are in place for campus visitors parked in violation of University parking regulations during designated event weekends.

Traffic restrictions

Beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, one-way traffic patterns and traffic restrictions will go into effect on Park Avenue, Porter Road, and other roadways near Beaver Stadium. Those attending the game with a prepaid football parking permit must follow the route assigned for their parking area and parking zone. Visit  Penn State's Game Day Parking and Traffic site  for more information. 

Access to the East Parking Deck and Orange faculty/staff parking areas located north of Services Road will only be available by traveling eastbound on Park Avenue from Atherton Street. Except for permit holders attempting to access these areas, Park Avenue should be used only by football permit holders with West Zone (traveling eastbound on Park from Atherton Street) and East Zone (traveling westbound on Park from I-99/322) parking. Traffic on Porter Road will be limited only to football permit holders with South Zone parking.

Curtin Road will be closed between Bigler Road and Porter Road throughout the day.

Faculty, staff, and students attempting to access central campus parking areas should do so by traveling northbound on Shortlidge Road or Burrowes Road from College Avenue. Traffic on and near campus will be heavy, and unnecessary vehicle travel is discouraged. Drivers traveling to campus should allow extra time to reach their destination.

Transit service and adjustments

CATA's Blue Loop, White Loop, and Red Link service will operate on home football Saturdays, but with the following adjustments to service:

Blue Loop — from the bus stop at College Avenue and Allen Street, the Blue Loop will follow normal routing to Curtin Road, where it will turn right on Bigler Road and right on Pollock Road, where it will resume normal routing.

White Loop — from the bus stop at Beaver Avenue and Allen Street, the White Loop will follow normal routing to University Drive, where it will turn left on Hastings Road, right on Bigler Road, and left on Curtin Road, where it will resume normal routing.

Red Link — from the bus stop on Curtin Road at the Pavilion Theatre, the Red Link will follow normal routing to Bigler Road, where it will turn right on Eisenhower Road, right on Shortlidge Road, and left on Curtin Road, where it will resume normal routing.

CATA will again be operating its Game Day Shuttles to provide transportation to and from each Penn State Football home game. Visit the  CATA website  for information on routing, stops, hours of operation, and fares.

Email  [email protected]  or call 814-238-CATA for more information on CATA campus and community transit service. Real-time bus information and arrival predictions are also available through the myStop and Penn State Go apps.

Fullington Trailways will also be operating its Football Shuttles this season, with service from several local locations and Blair and Clearfield counties. Visit the  Fullington website  for more information.

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