SDS Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 It's boys weekend at my house and Penn State is on my son's short list. We have the opportunity to make a trip to a college this weekend and Penn State would typically be an easy drive. The problem is OSU is in town Saturday. Clearly the place is going to be crazy, but should we avoid it? Embrace it? Just go Sunday and drive against traffic? Any advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Poojer Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 If you can deal with the mayhem, i think the atmosphere in the area will be absolutely electric, even to just go and tailgate a bit but not go to the game would probably be an experience not to be missed. traffic and parking will probably be a nightmare, but if you can handle that, i think it would be a fun atmosphere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted September 25, 2018 Author Share Posted September 25, 2018 1 minute ago, The Poojer said: If you can deal with the mayhem, i think the atmosphere in the area will be absolutely electric, even to just go and tailgate a bit but not go to the game would probably be an experience not to be missed. traffic and parking will probably be a nightmare, but if you can handle that, i think it would be a fun atmosphere. He's a not a football kid. That's why I'm trying to gauge how much pain I'm looking at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soda Popinski Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 if he's not a football kid this is not the weekend. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guffalo Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 On a side note.. Holy Shiiite, are we getting old! Scott's kids are looking at schools? Get off my lawn you ninnies! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted September 25, 2018 Author Share Posted September 25, 2018 23 minutes ago, Soda Popinski said: if he's not a football kid this is not the weekend. Well, it is a part of the PSU experience. It's the traffic part that is not. I'm curious to how much traffic there will actually be. It's a 3hr drive for me. We can leave early, but we aren't sure when the roads will be clogged for a 7:30pm game. We are still open to going up Sunday if that is an easier option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordio Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 28 minutes ago, SDS said: He's a not a football kid. That's why I'm trying to gauge how much pain I'm looking at. That place is going to be off the hook crazy the moment the sun rises Saturday morning. College Game day is going to be there & this is the biggest game of the early season. If he was into college football I am with Pooj & say take the drive up there & no matter how much of a hassle it is just embrace the atmosphere but......if he is not into college football I would find somewhere else to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Nothing to add other than anyone I know who went to Penn State or played at Penn State loved the experience and the visit is what sold them on the school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted September 25, 2018 Author Share Posted September 25, 2018 8 minutes ago, Gordio said: That place is going to be off the hook crazy the moment the sun rises Saturday morning. College Game day is going to be there & this is the biggest game of the early season. If he was into college football I am with Pooj & say take the drive up there & no matter how much of a hassle it is just embrace the atmosphere but......if he is not into college football I would find somewhere else to go. Yeah, I get that. I'm hoping to get a little more logistical detail from some alums or those who have made the trip many times. Can we drive up Friday night and stay away from campus to reduce our drive in, are we talking a 3hr trip turns to 6hrs?, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Caveman Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Driving in anytime Saturday could be ridiculous. We typically have tried to make it in Friday night later for a Saturday game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mead107 Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 My nephew graduated penn state. What does he want to study? I think if he is interested in penn state he will love the Atmosphere on Saturday. Enjoy and have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Must not add levity... Must NOT add levity! Reminder: EiL DO NOT add levity. LoL... And I had a good one too! With that said, I don't know "too" much about Penn State other than it's now in Big10. Enjoy and have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Info Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Scott - I spoke with a friend who is a PSU alum and rabid fan and asked about this. He said, due to this game, Fri travel to Happy Valley will be crowded by alumni spending the weekend for this big game. All day traffic on Sat leading up to game tine and the campus will be nuts if they win. Expect excess traffic on Sun leaving the area due to alumni that made it a weekend jaunt for the big game. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 4 hours ago, SDS said: Well, it is a part of the PSU experience. It's the traffic part that is not. I'm curious to how much traffic there will actually be. It's a 3hr drive for me. We can leave early, but we aren't sure when the roads will be clogged for a 7:30pm game. We are still open to going up Sunday if that is an easier option. Quite a bit. State College is kind of rural, so road access is kinda dicey. If you're NOT going to the game, go up on Sunday. Trust me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 5 hours ago, SDS said: Well, it is a part of the PSU experience. It's the traffic part that is not. I'm curious to how much traffic there will actually be. It's a 3hr drive for me. We can leave early, but we aren't sure when the roads will be clogged for a 7:30pm game. We are still open to going up Sunday if that is an easier option. Scott, Would it be a push on obtaining a school tour, admission session, dorm tour, or tour of any areas of particular interest? In our experience from last year sometimes there were still general school tours on Sun but nothing else available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted September 25, 2018 Author Share Posted September 25, 2018 2 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said: Scott, Would it be a push on obtaining a school tour, admission session, dorm tour, or tour of any areas of particular interest? In our experience from last year sometimes there were still general school tours on Sun but nothing else available. It appears as though they do the tours every other weekend. Or maybe that i just the football schedule. I'm trying to make some hay this weekend. Might go to VA Tech instead, but that is a longer drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 4 minutes ago, SDS said: It appears as though they do the tours every other weekend. Or maybe that i just the football schedule. I'm trying to make some hay this weekend. Might go to VA Tech instead, but that is a longer drive. To give you an idea what PSU game day traffic is like, we would be on the road at 3 am from the LV to get a few hours tailgating time YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted September 25, 2018 Author Share Posted September 25, 2018 1 minute ago, joesixpack said: To give you an idea what PSU game day traffic is like, we would be on the road at 3 am from the LV to get a few hours tailgating time YMMV. But for what game time? This weekend is 7:30pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 2 minutes ago, SDS said: But for what game time? This weekend is 7:30pm. That would be for a noon start. But like others have said, Gameday is there this week, it's likely to be a 12 hour tailgate day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Info Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 10 minutes ago, SDS said: I'm trying to make some hay this weekend. Might go to VA Tech instead, but that is a longer drive. Feel free to hit me up with any VA Tech questions. My son is a senior there. Hokies @ Duke this weekend so no football traffic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 got there one year and a snowstorm had hit the stadium and they hadn't gone much into clearing it out 2 hours before gametime those were the days when you'd get huge snow in November Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 1 minute ago, PromoTheRobot said: 9/7/2019 UB plays at Penn State. If you've never been to happy valley, you gotta go. Hell of a scene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 every college stadium where they pack in 50,000 plus has been great to visit, up to a mere dozen myself Wisconsin was the only truly negative experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted September 25, 2018 Author Share Posted September 25, 2018 5 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said: Hoping the Bills home opener is on the 8th. Would make a great weekend. 6 minutes ago, joesixpack said: If you've never been to happy valley, you gotta go. Hell of a scene. 8 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said: 9/7/2019 UB plays at Penn State. Somewhere else please. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 38 minutes ago, SDS said: It appears as though they do the tours every other weekend. Or maybe that i just the football schedule. I'm trying to make some hay this weekend. Might go to VA Tech instead, but that is a longer drive. Call admissions office and ask if they can accommodate you. Sometimes the answer is "no" Never know when you'll get lucky, though. If your kid is willing for rural PA, any interest in Bucknell? VA Tech is AWESOME. My kid was dead-set on someplace colder than St Louis but we loved VA Tech as a school. Def. worth a visit. I can't give you gouge, but from the traffic we experienced in that part of the state when we drove through just before Little League World Series this August makes me think you might easily swallow the drive time difference in road delays Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted September 25, 2018 Author Share Posted September 25, 2018 3 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said: Call admissions office and ask if they can accommodate you. Sometimes the answer is "no" Never know when you'll get lucky, though. If your kid is willing for rural PA, any interest in Bucknell? VA Tech is AWESOME. My kid was dead-set on someplace colder than St Louis but we loved VA Tech as a school. Def. worth a visit. Luck! We are a University of Rochester family. If we went private it would be hard to go another route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 1 minute ago, Hapless Bills Fan said: Call admissions office and ask if they can accommodate you. Sometimes the answer is "no" Never know when you'll get lucky, though. If your kid is willing for rural PA, any interest in Bucknell? VA Tech is AWESOME. My kid was dead-set on someplace colder than St Louis but we loved VA Tech as a school. Def. worth a visit. Luck! Should have look @ Lake Superior State University in The Soo or MTU (Michigan Technological University) in Houghton, MI. Okay... Maybe NOT Pluto. I wanted My son to get into mining and go to MTU or the one in Golden, CA... He went Bio... Yuck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 4 minutes ago, SDS said: We are a University of Rochester family. If we went private it would be hard to go another route. Oh, we all loved Hajim at U of R also. Great school! I thought it might have been maybe a better fit for our kid overall. She applied, but it wasn't her #1 choice and #1 school took her so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffAlone Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 9 hours ago, SDS said: It's boys weekend at my house and Penn State is on my son's short list. We have the opportunity to make a trip to a college this weekend and Penn State would typically be an easy drive. The problem is OSU is in town Saturday. Clearly the place is going to be crazy, but should we avoid it? Embrace it? Just go Sunday and drive against traffic? Any advice? I regurally work on campus Its ALWAYS crazy. Should be no different that week. Accomodations are not far away tho. Great spot for football. Its really fan friendly...byot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 8 minutes ago, BuffAlone said: I regurally work on campus Its ALWAYS crazy. Should be no different that week. Accomodations are not far away tho. Great spot for football. Its really fan friendly...byot Did You fix the showers? I keed, I keed... Dank dank dank You... I will be here all week, try the veal! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misterbluesky Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 11 hours ago, SDS said: Any advice? If you plan on leaving for UP on Sunday morning exercise some patience and don't set your alarm clock too early....Sunday's are a day of worship for the Amish and they will be out and about as early as sunrise.Also,that part of the state can get very foggy in the morning hours,especially in the fall,.travel safe and take it slow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 probably about 45 other weekends way more optimal to visit Penn State in a given year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Take a drive to Slippery Rock instead..all the smart kids went there!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 18 hours ago, Mr Info said: Feel free to hit me up with any VA Tech questions. My son is a senior there. Hokies @ Duke this weekend so no football traffic. Any chance he would be open to giving us a tour? What is his major? My son is looking at Comp Sci (but is also interested in PT, but I advised him to get a different undergrad degree and then see if his interest in PT still exists in a few years). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RochesterRob Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Kind of late to the discussion. Just curious as to the "mark up" being that your son is out of state in this instance. I was accepted at Ohio State many years ago and liked the program but the out of state tuition fee was a deal breaker. Especially, without a scholarship in hand. Ultimately, I stayed in NY including two years at Cornell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 Just now, RochesterRob said: Kind of late to the discussion. Just curious as to the "mark up" being that your son is out of state in this instance. I was accepted at Ohio State many years ago and liked the program but the out of state tuition fee was a deal breaker. Especially, without a scholarship in hand. Ultimately, I stayed in NY including two years at Cornell. We have saved sufficiently to offer him a choice. I'm not overly concerned about the money if there are valid reasons to go out of state or private. I personally value the college experience above and beyond the degree aspect, so I'm not focused entirely on price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Jackson Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 (edited) On 9/25/2018 at 9:31 AM, SDS said: He's a not a football kid. That's why I'm trying to gauge how much pain I'm looking at. Picture the biggest Bills home game ever and then add 30,000 people. It will be PSU - OSU and nothing else. Literally the entire area will be nothing but that. They started camping out Monday. I can’t speak to PSU specifically but when Alabama plays in Baton Rouge they estimate over 300,000 people are on campus that day. It can take an hour to drive a mile. For context, Baton Rouge has a population of 227,000. I’d imagine that you are looking at approximately 200,000 plus. Edited September 26, 2018 by Kirby Jackson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Imagine all those PSU fans all crying and angry post-game over getting shelled by the Buckeyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Info Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 4 hours ago, SDS said: Any chance he would be open to giving us a tour? What is his major? My son is looking at Comp Sci (but is also interested in PT, but I advised him to get a different undergrad degree and then see if his interest in PT still exists in a few years). Checking...will get back to you via PM. He is a Poly Sci major but started out in sciences. Hope he is available because he has a good personality/interaction as a guide. From my perspective, VT had the best prospective student/parent presentation and tour of any university or college that we visited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 9 minutes ago, Mr Info said: Checking...will get back to you via PM. He is a Poly Sci major but started out in sciences. Hope he is available because he has a good personality/interaction as a guide. From my perspective, VT had the best prospective student/parent presentation and tour of any university or college that we visited. Thank you for checking. We are still in the planning stages, but having someone available to show us around would be very helpful. We could always do an official tour later, but we are just looking to do something this weekend possibly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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