Stefanie Gregorini can still remember visiting Penn State Erie, the Behrend College as if it were yesterday. It was a Saturday in February and the roads were covered with the latest lake effect snow. Although she was bundled from head to toe in hopes of staying warm throughout her campus tour, Stefanie wasn’t afraid. She was in heaven.

“I instantly fell in love with the campus,” said Stefanie. “I couldn’t picture myself at any other place on earth except at Penn State Behrend.”

And so began Stefanie’s journey with the 2+2 plan at Penn State. While some students choose to remain at one of Penn State’s 20 undergraduate campuses for all four years, others spend their first two years at one campus and transition to another for their remaining two years. This plan is so popular that more than 60 percent of students opt for the 2+2 plan, making it the most common path to a Penn State degree.

Starting as a freshman, Stefanie chose Penn State Behrend for two reasons: the beautiful campus and the smaller, more intimate classrooms. “I felt I could learn more by having smaller classes,” she said.

Many Penn State students choose the 2+2 plan for this reason. For some, the smaller classrooms provide a better learning environment. Students may feel more comfortable interacting with professors in a smaller setting and asking for the personalized attention they need.

But for some students, starting out at a campus other than University Park meant being closer to family for two more years.

“Behrend was only an hour from my house,” said Penn State junior Pamela Smith. “I’m a family person so I figured I’d go somewhere within a reasonable driving range.”

Pam grew up often visiting the campus because her two siblings attended Penn State Behrend. But it was the smallness of the campus that convinced her to apply. “Everyone knows everyone,” said Pam.

Pam and Stef’s meeting was just more evidence of that fact. It was fall move-in day 2006. Stef was in line at the dining commons for dinner when Pam asked to sit with her. What the two didn’t realize was that they lived together in the same dorm, had the same classes, and in two years, would be roommates at University Park.
“It was such a coincidence that I had asked Stef, of all people, to sit with at dinner,” said Pam. “Who would have thought she would become my closest friend and we would end up rooming together two years later?”

Just as Stef and Pam were there for each other when they transitioned from high school to college, they were there for each other as they moved from Penn State Erie to University Park.

The transition from another campus to University Park is difficult for some students. Although the number of students at University Park can be overwhelming, the transition can be eased with the help of a friend.

“I was impressed by how easy the transition from Erie to University Park was,” said Pam. “I’ll admit, I miss family but it was definitely worth it to start at Erie then make my way to University Park.”

Looking back at her decision to spend her first two years at Penn State Behrend, Stefanie said she couldn’t have made a better choice. “It just felt so right to me. I would do it all over again if I had to.”

So, what should a prospective student do if they are contemplating starting their education at a campus other than University Park?

“Go with your gut instinct,” said Stefanie. “If you think University Park is too big, choose the 2+2 plan. You will appreciate University Park more because you get to experience other Penn State campuses. College is something you don’t want to take for granted.”