Why I finally chose Penn State over Pitt

If you would have asked me a year ago where I was going to school, I probably would have said the University of Pittsburgh. This was a really bold move on my part, considering my family “legacy” at Penn State, but I ended up sending in the deposit and accepting my offer to Pitt anyway. Then, I realized I was making a huge mistake. Here’s just a few of the reasons why.

Beaver Stadium

People kept trying to tell me tailgating at Heinz Field was a lot of fun, but I couldn’t hear them over the roar of Beaver Stadium. I may have just had my first actual home game as a student but I already knew that Happy Valley on a football Saturday couldn’t compare to anything on the North Shores of Pittsburgh. Tell me why I’m supposed to be  impressed again?

Our Mascot

The Nittany Lion is a total family man and the Pitt Panther (which is the same animal by the way) has a double chin, permanent under-bite and glowing green eyes. Does he play the air guitar with his tail? Doubtful. Does he get excited and scratch his ears? No. Is there really any comparison? Absolutely not.

We are called Happy Valley for a reason

We are secluded between mountains and farmlands in our own valley, in a town that was literally built for us. At Pitt they have Oakland, I guess, which doesn’t even compare because it’s literally turning into one of the worst areas of the city. People will try and tell you that Disney is the happiest place on Earth, but those are the same people that have apparently never witnessed the sea of blue and white that pours into Penn State on the weekends. Which isn’t surprising, as they’ve never seen any sort of crowd at a single one of their games.

We have our own zip code

Our campus and downtown have their own zip code—which is necessary at a school with a Main Campus enrollment as high as ours. And to everyone who says, “Penn State lets everyone in,” I would have to remind them that the acceptance rate at Pitt is higher, so I’m really not all that impressed.

Lack of Gumby’s

I am a Pittsburgh native, and I love my city but there is an utter lack of Gumby’s in the southwestern part of the state. I get the Primanti’s hype, and thankfully I never have to leave Happy Valley to get my fix, but nothing can compare to Gumby’s Pizza and Pokey Stix.  You may have cheese fries at your “Big O,” but that is child’s play compared to the Thirsty Thursday special of a Big Ass Pokey Stix at Gumby’s.

So, this little “rivalry” is pretty much useless. Penn State will always be a more attractive option than Pitt and screaming “Hail to Pitt” will never mean as much as “We Are.” Simple as that.