As a Nittany Lion (and 2009/2010 #1 party school attendee) , I honestly couldn’t be happier. Penn State spent all of last year under strict scrutiny because of our Number 1 party school status. I’m sure there are plenty of PSU students talking about how as the new #3 school, we have “work to do,” but maybe they should remember the tragic incident that kicked off the 2009-2010 school year. The “pressure to live up” to these rankings caused one student his life. Sure, every freshman has those nights where they get a little too drunk, and as college students, we idealize these hysterical stories that we tell over Sunday brunch in the dining commons. But these rankings take those crazy nights to a whole new level and don’t only affect a person’s time spent in school, but much, much more.

When I chose to attend Penn State, I made the decision based on our incredible alumni association and the overall environment of Happy Valley. I wanted to be able to walk into a job interview and be proud. Penn State proud. I didn’t want the person sitting on the other side of the desk question whether or not I was capable of handling responsibilities because I went to a school known for beer bongs and keg stands. The authenticity of my GPA shouldn’t be under dispute. I worked my behind off during the week and I enjoy myself on weekends, like any other college student.

What frustrates me the most about the whole party school ranking is that it overshadows the other amazing things Penn State students are doing with their free time. We have one of the most active Greek systems nationwide. We raised $7.8 million dollars last year in our annual 46-hour dance marathon, the largest student-run philanthropy in the WORLD. Where is all the press for that?

I’m not saying Penn State doesn’t deserve these rankings. After all, we make up our own freaking holidays. I am up and ready to tailgate on a fall Saturday at 10 AM, even if kick-off is past sundown. And I’ve never been one to turn down a theme party. But there is a serious underage binge drinking problem at our university that has cost Penn State and downtown State College not only hundreds of thousands of dollars, but student lives.

Rankings from Princeton Review, College Humor, and Playboy make these problems seem like jokes to brag about when they are anything but. Partying is a huge part of the college lifestyle but do we really need an award for it?

Which colleges offer the best value?

We’ll nurse Channing Tatum back to health.

What? Are Brad and Angie too good for the Globes?

What have you done for your body lately?

I want a 6 month hiatus too, Beyonce!

Megan Fox does what she does best for Armani.

A breastfeeding baby doll? Ew.

What does Lauren Conrad know about modeling?

Tim Tebow. Muscles. Sweat. Droooool.

Oklahoma really likes Angelina Jolie.

Is Penn State really the best party school?

Lay off the spray tan, Channing Tatum.

Stepping inside, I couldn’t tell whether I was in a doctor’s waiting room or the locker area of a gym. To the right were chairs arranged in a tight circle, magazines scattered about the area; on the opposing wall there stood a row of rusted lockers.

A sign directed me to the front desk where a young man asked for my ID, and upon being certain that I was who I claimed to be, offered me a clipboard. I signed the honor code, promising that I would not use any forbidden study materials or divulge the contents of any question on the test. The specific rules for the GRE and testing in the center were stated on a piece of paper behind the one I’d signed, reminding me that nothing was allowed into the testing room with me, that study materials could not be used at any time after the test began, and that during my 10 minute break (if I wished to take said break) I could not leave the facility.

I returned my clipboard to the desk and was handed my driver’s license, which I was ordered to keep with me at all times. My bag was stowed away in one of the beaten-down lockers and I was led to the back where another man took my photograph, as evidently there needed to be further visual proof that I was the person taking the test, and then was told to sign in. With a stack of scratch paper in hand and a few number two pencils, I was led to a cubicle in one of the many testing rooms. There were audiophones available for anyone who found the sounds of keys clacking and computer fans blowing far too distracting.

With a whispered “good luck,” my new found friend returned to his cubicle to photograph the next unsuspecting test taker and to keep track of the various monitors that made his station look more like security than a place for people to sign-in and sign-out. The screen asked me to verify whether I was in fact the person who I claimed to be, then showed me a blurry photograph – the one that had been taken moments before – which looked more like a mugshot than one suitable for a testing agency.

Following this screen, I was given several tutorials, the first of which I took mainly to allow more time to calm down before the actual testing began. It also provided me with a moment of hilarity as the first tutorial was on how to use a computer mouse. I personally believe it provided me with more confidence, as after demonstrating that I could in fact left-click on a particular portion of the screen the computer offered me lavish praise.

The next tutorial taught me how to cut and paste, which again left me feeling above the bar. The only tutorial that taught me anything I hadn’t already known was the last one, which explained the different buttons that were used on the exam such as the “time” button, which would either hide or unhide the allotted time left; the “next” button that you clicked once you’d answered a question; and the “confirm answer” button if you were confident in your answer.

Finally, I was into the exam. Four hours later, I completed the last question and received my scores.

I share this story because, for anyone going into their senior year of college, graduate school is becoming a consideration. Personally I went through a lot of choices during the past year, debating between law school or another graduate program, before finally settling on psychology as my field of study.

There are many different exams required for graduate school, although the GRE is the most common. There is the online exam, which is the common GRE format, but then there are also subject tests for Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, and, my personal favorite subject, Psychology. Unlike the basic GRE exam, which is made up of Verbal, Quantitative and Analytic Writing sections, subject test are three hour examinations only on the one particular subject.

In order to prepare for the GRE, there are many classes available to students who might struggle in recalling exactly what they were taught in high school math classes or need other assistance. I know I didn’t recall how to calculate the area of a circle the first time I took a GRE practice test (it’s our friend pi times the radius squared, for those who might be curious), so these prep courses were especially helpful.

The two major test preparation organizations for GRE and other examinations are The Princeton Review and Kaplan. Other such wonderful materials can be found with The GRE For Dummies and other study materials available from Kaplan and the Princeton Review which you can purchase without actually enrolling in any of their classes.

And, of course, when you officially register for the GRE, ETS is always happy to send you preparation materials!

With graduate school application deadlines approaching over the next several months, there is still plenty of time to take the GRE. The online exam is offered nearly every day at times that are convenient for anyone and everyone. If you are looking for a graduate program that requires a subject test, now is the time to find out and register as the latest most institutions allow you to take the test is November.

Now that I have my computer exam out of the way, it is time to start preparing for my subject test. Grad school, here I come.