Zach
Hello! My name is Zach, and I'm a Penn State graduate and Discover House alum (I am seriously dating myself, but I lived in D-House back when it was in Leete Hall--when Leete still had dorm rooms). I immediately knew that DUS was the right choice when I tried to change majors twice during FTCAP. All in all, I explored at least six different majors (Secondary Education--English; Theatre; Crime, Law, and Justice; Psychology; Sociology; and Human Development and Family Studies) before ultimately deciding on Elementary Education.
While at Penn State, I was an East Halls Resident Assistant; was involved with the Penn State Thespians, Lion Scouts, and Singing Lions; and I was a Morale Captain for THON 2006.
For me, the best part about being in DUS was that I never once felt rushed to pick a major. Very few people know for certain at age 18 what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Clearly I was one of the ones who had no idea (see the list of majors above), but I really was encouraged to take my time and explore my options before I made a final decision.
From even before my time at Penn State, I was interested in eventually becoming a lawyer. I remember, while at a Discover House interest meeting for the College of Arts & Architecture, Laura Brown told me that I could major in anything (even Theatre . . . or Elementary Education!) and still attend law school. I didn't believe her then, but now, nine years since that meeting, I'm here to say to all you future lawyers at Penn State that I am living proof. I'm beginning my second year at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and I am accepting an offer to work next year as a summer associate at a large New York law firm. I couldn't be more excited.
So my advice to you is take your time, take classes you're interested in, and, most of all, enjoy just being at Penn State! It really is one of the greatest places you could spend an undergraduate education.
