Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest)

The California University of Pennsylvania is a small campus that offers students “the tools and opportunities to be successful” in their chosen field, which includes small class sizes and “plenty of resources around campus … whether you need an essay revised or tutoring.” Programs praised the most include Education, Criminal Justice, and Biology. But regardless of discipline, the school “has a great environment for studying, and the faculty and staff are pretty great.” In fact, the professors are almost universally heralded as “very passionate and well-versed in their given area.” As one student explains, “They make sure they give you the support and aid you need to succeed in and out of the classroom.” To that end, “they cover the content students need but also apply their own personal experiences, which helps [the class] understand and connect with the content.” By making “the material interesting to learn no matter the workload,” students find it easier to succeed in class.

Some at Cal U may seem more interested in the social scene than academics, but this is really an extension of many enrollee’s “Do-It-Yourself type of mentality.” That is, “it all comes down to how hard you want to work” to determine your success on campus. Regardless of the path you choose, “everyone is always so nice and courteous to one another. With a student body that is “so kind and welcoming,” it’s no wonder attendees use words like “wonderful,” “fun,” and “excellent” to describe the vibe on campus. Additionally, many praise the diversity present here, which is amplified by having “so many … people from all over the world” enrolled. You’ll also find students have a broad range of interests “from athletes to artists, and more.” This helps the campus feel “inclusive and inviting to all.” As one student sums it up: “It is nice to be … here and see everyone moving towards their goals, [still making] time to come together for school-held events.”

At Cal U, the days are “usually very busy,” with most students focused diligently on studying. But when students are not hard at work, “there are a bunch of activities” to occupy their time, and one need only travel as far as the student center where “there are many things to relieve stress,” including free movie screenings, a pool table, and pianos. Those looking to make more of their experience have plenty of options as “almost everyone is involved in some sort of club” at Cal U. And don’t worry about lack of variety, either: “There are [so] many clubs here…, but if there is something else you would like to do it is very easy to create your own organization.” Plus, those clubs aren’t just for fun—they also “help you build your knowledge for your career.” Outside of organizations, some claim that “if you do not get involved with activities on campus, then you will be bored.” But others disagree: “There are all kinds of shows, concerts, and gatherings … on campus at all times, so you never know what’s next.” And even if some “choose not to completely fill their time and would rather just relax,” they note that “it’s quite fun no matter what you do.” Overall, it seems Cal U has it all: “The campus is beautiful. The dorms are amazing. And it’s close enough to Pittsburgh to take a day trip,” even if that does mean “needing to drive 20+ minutes.”