UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- High School Students Making The Difficult Choice Of What College To Attend Will Find Friendly Faces And Useful Advice At An Open House Sponsored By Penn State's College Of Agricultural Sciences On Saturday, April 9 From 8 A.m. To 5 P.m. At The Hetzel Union Building (hub) On The University Park Campus.

"Selecting a career can be tough for anyone, and it's even tougher if you're a teenager right out of high school," says Marianne Fivek, assistant professor of agricultural and extension education and undergraduate recruitment coordinator. "Attending an event like this can introduce young people to career options that they haven't thought of but might be interested in. It's great to see the light go on in a young person's eyes, as they discover a career that they might not have associated with agriculture.

"The open-house setting is relaxed and informal," she says. "About 100 faculty, staff and students from the college will be there, so visitors can get personal attention as they visit with faculty or talk with students about university life. Representatives from the Ag Advocates student organization and the Ag Student Council also will attend."

Attendees can learn about careers in agricultural and related fields and the college's 19 undergraduate majors, including food science, agribusiness management, landscape contracting, turfgrass science, agricultural and biological engineering, toxicology and environmental resource management.

At 8:15 a.m., visitors can get an informational overview of Penn State's admissions process. A 9:15 a.m. session will explain the financial aid and scholarship options available through the college. After a general welcome, information on student clubs, organizations and societies, internships, undergraduate research and study-abroad opportunities will be presented at 10:15 a.m., followed by explanations of the College's many majors at 11:15 a.m.

Visitors can visit college facilities and explore the campus through an afternoon of tours. A panel discussion on internships, careers and international experiences in agriculture will be held in 101 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building at 1:15 p.m.

After the open house, families can visit the University Creamery, the Penn State Bookstore, the Penn State University Libraries and the Palmer Museum of Art. Penn State Housing and Food Services will offer students and their families an opportunity to sample cafeteria-style brunch and dinner at campus dining halls (tickets sold at the door).

To register for the open house or for more information, visit the Web at http://www.cas.psu.edu, contact the Office of Undergraduate Education at 814-865-7521 or send e-mail to Marianne Fivek at mafivek@psu.edu. EDITORS: Contact Marianne Fivek at 814-865-7521 or by e-mail at mafivek@psu.edu.

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Gary Abdullah Office 814-863-2708 FAX 814-863-9877