Pennsylvania State University Berks

I only attended Berks for one year and let me just say they did not make my life better. I have Autism and I did not get any services to accommodate my needs. The disability services were rude to me. My time at Berks was awful. That same year I was sexually assaulted by another student which I have told the university police and other faculty too but nobody helped me out. Then I got accused of something I didn't do and I ended up getting thrown out of the university. Disclaimer: Judicial Affairs at PSU Berks are CROOKED!

After I paid off the Perkins loan (that was all I ever owed PSU Berks and that's all they told me I owed), I called again to see whether the financial holds were off so I could transfer the classes I passed to another school and they said I had a bookstore hold. The school never alerted me about this hold and said that I must pay 700 dollars to be able to send transcripts. I wanted to see paper proof of that I owed the school more money because right after I was dismissed they said that the Perkins loan is all I owed them. They never sent me anything after asking five times within four months. I wasn't going to continue playing this game with them so I went to pay it because I needed the classes to transfer I paid with my debit card (that also is my fault too) and the lady at the bursar's office put the payment as 900$ and overdrafted my account. They stole money from me and my bank couldn't do anything to help me. I could sue them right now but I have better things to do than to fight with them.

This school was like high school 2.0 anyway which is why I did not want to come to Penn State Berks. It's a commuter school. Most of the people who attend Berks have not only gone to a high school in Berks County, but gone to high school together so they stick with the people that they know and avoid making new friends. I tried to socially make it work here but I've only made two friends here, one goes to University Park and the other moved to the west coast. I wanted to go to a PA state school where I can have a social life, get the college experience, get an education and a degree, and get networked.

The academics at this school is okay, not too bad, but I would only recommend coming here if you either want a Penn State degree and can't afford to attend the Main Campus, or plan on transferring to Main Campus but saving money to go to Berks. Students only come to Berks because their parents (like mine) want them to stay close to home. Just a word of advice for those of you high school student looking to attend college. One, go to school where you can excel and that you won't be transferring out of. Visit the campus for yourself, visit the outside surroundings even go into a classroom and get a real feel of the school so that you are left without excuses. You don't know how many times I see reviews of colleges where people say "the school is in the middle of no where" or "there's nothing to do here". Well newsflash, that's why you visit the college before you decide to submit your 200 dollar deposit. Those people can only blame themselves. No one force them to go to those schools. I was force to go to Berks but at the same time I could have just neglected what my parents told me and go to the school I wanted to go to but I didn't so I own up to that completely. Two, not only go to a school where you will be happy at but go where you can afford. That's also another role. Check out the tuitions and DEFINITELY keep an eye out for scholarships because you can never get too many scholarships. If you end up with no luck, go to your local community college and then transfer to your dream school so you get a degree with either no debt or little debt. And make sure the class you take at community college transfers.

Lastly, this is YOUR decision, not your parents. You are going to be an adult. Do you want your parents to pick where you should buy your house at? No. Don't let your parents emotions manipulate your decisions in life, not just college if you decide to attend. Be assertive with your parents because you may end up needing their help and if they don't want to help you achieve your dreams, reach out to supportive people.This my experience overall: Berks sucked dick. Honestly if you can, go to Kutztown University. It's not the best state school but it's far from the worse and it could be worse. It is still in Berks County but you do get a taste of the college community. This is my opinion and I will not change it for anyone. Avoid Penn State Berks at all cost and go to either Main Campus or a different school.