Penn State Distance Learning
from Israel Isenberg
As high school graduation time approaches, many
seniors will be thinking about what they should do next. Two short years ago, I
was wearing that same cap and gown. Beyond the fact that I was going to
continue my education, I was very undecided.
I must admit, at sixteen years old, the idea of
going off to college had scared me. Several months prior to my graduation, my
father had picked up a Penn State Distance Education catalog at Ag Progress Days in State College. He made some
phone calls. We found that Independent Learning, as the program is called, would be well suited to my needs. The course schedule was flexible, allowing
me to study at my own pace. I would be able to study in the guiet of my home,
as I was used to doing as a homeschooler, without going into the college
classroom. I would be able to complete between one and two years of study, depending
upon my maf or. And, as I was not sure what I wanted to do "when I grew
up," I would have time to think about my future.
I sent my SAT scores to Penn State when I took
the test at a nearby college, earlier in the spring. That summer, I took a
placement exam at a branch campus, to
determine which courses I should take.
In September, following graduation, I enrolled in two courses through
Independent Learning. Most courses include less than fifteen lesson assignments
and two or three exams. The course material was shipped to me and I slowly
began. The first lesson assignment was
hard and it took me two weeks to complete, because it required more time than
my high school work. However, I soon adapted to this change and began to make
progress. I am now able to complete several lessons a week. Upon completion, I
mailed the lesson to the professor for evaluation and correction. The professor
would then return the graded lesson. After several months, I was ready for my
first examination. You are permitted to take the exams at any Penn State branch
campus, or you may use a proctor who meets Penn State's requirements. I decided
to tke my exams at Penn State Altoona, about an hour from our house. The exam
took place in a small office room. I was the only person taking an exam. The
proctor was a Penn State secretary (who reminds me of my grandmother)and was
very friendly.
At the end of a year and a half, I have sixteen
credits earned through Independent Learning. I am currently finishing two more
courses. For me, the advantages of this method of study were many. I was able
to keep high grades while making the transition to college level work, to take
my time choosing a maf or and, to prove, to myself, that I can succeed in
college. This fall I will be attending Penn State main campus as a sophomore
enrolled in the Animal Bioscience major. I plan to go on to vet school after
completing my requirements at Penn
State. If you would like more
information about Independent Learning, call the Department of Distance Education
at 1-800-252-3592 and ask for a free catalog. If you have any questions, feel
free to contact Jerry Goff, coordinator of advising, at (814) 863-3283.
[Note
from Howard Richman: An update about Israel appeared in the summer 2000 issue
of PA Homeschoolers: Israel Isenberg
(PHAA 1996) of Marion Center PA, has accepted early admission to Cornell
University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
Currently a senior at Penn State University, Israel will receive his
bachelor's degree after his first year at veterinary school. As a student at Penn State, Israel was on
the Dean's List every semester, after completing his Freshman year entirely
through Penn State distance courses. He
was accepted into all seven of the
veterinary schools that he applied to for graduate work.l