Good research, bad culture - Graduate Research Assistant Penn State Employee Review

3.0
6 Oct 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Beautiful area, high quality research. High camaraderie among graduate students and other positive and supportive environment.

Cons

Penn state at large is frighteningly cultish and willing to look over immoral behavior (although I'm sure other large football schools suffer this problem). Computing cluster management is a disaster. One is better off running simulations on Amazon or Google or their own computer for a larger price than deal with ICS. Poor undergraduate instruction in physics -- mostly organizational style. Mediocre to handling of graduate student grievances. Particular faculty have far inappropriately large weight when it comes to graduate student applications. Loudest voices among faculty appear to be the only ones heard, while not enough attention paid to the opinions of humbler and/or quieter but equally (if not more) qualified faculty.

Explore other reviews about Penn State

5.0
21 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Friendly professor and professional staff

Cons

Reassignment can take longer and can be a tedious process

5.0
19 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

My supervisor was fantastic: provided good feedback, flexibility in work schedule, opportunities for professional growth.

Cons

Usually 1-2 year contract, determined by grant funding and availability Workplace experience is more dependent on the individual researcher/research lab you end up working for than the university as a whole

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