World Campus students ARE ‘Penn Staters’

After a ten year break from college and a move from Upstate NY to Florida I finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up, the hard part was finding a college that lived up to my standards. That is a difficult task here in the sunshine state; while there are plenty of colleges and universities none of them were the caliber I was looking for. So my choices became either I suck it up and go to a Florida college or I try to find a decent online degree program, I wasn’t thrilled about either of those options.

Then one day, I was in line at the store when I saw the US News annual report on the top Universities and I noticed that Penn State had the number one online program. I knew PSU was a top university and would love to go there without having to move back to the cold of the Northeast! So I looked into what was offered and found that there was an entire virtual campus, World Campus, and that there were tons of degree options entirely online – this was perfect! So I applied, not really sure I would get in (it had been ten years after all) but a few weeks later I got an acceptance email and a package in the mail with my student ID – I was officially a Penn State student!

I was ecstatic! I started telling people that I was going to PSU and they would always ask when I was moving? I’d explain the WC program, that I wouldn’t have to move or leave my job, that everything was online; heck, I’d even get library access and through the interlibrary program I could check-out books that weren’t digital. That inevitably led to the looks, in most people’s opinions online degrees aren’t real degrees, and for the beginning of my first semester I have to admit that even I didn’t feel like a ‘Penn Stater’.

I was alone in my room at my desk for class, I would go to the coffee shop to study; it was an odd feeling, not at all like I was actually in college. Thankfully PSU understands this dilemma that WC students go through and assigns WC students a Student Success Coach. I could call her whenever I was having any issue. I called her midway through the semester and told her what I was feeling she turned me on to some WC groups; the WC Blue & White Society and because I was going to be a psych. major the WC Psychology Club. I joined the groups and almost immediately I had connected with people and made friends with my fellow students. More so than in the course work these groups offer more interaction and support not only academically but in life.

That was the moment I truly felt like a ‘Penn Stater’. Gaining that connection with fellow students is what I was lacking, which is something that traditional campus bound students get everyday. I never really thought that that would be something I needed so badly. The people I have met in my continuing journey as a WC student are going through the same journey as me just all over the world. These are people that if I ever saw out somewhere I would hug as if we have been close friends for years even though I’ve only seen them via video chats. We may be spread out all across the globe and more different than similar but we all share one thing – our passion for Penn State!