Pennsylvania State University, in State College, Pennsylvania, has been awarded the CampusTours February 2010 Four Star Tour Award for their excellent virtual tour and their compelling campus orientation series entitled First Thirty.

The Penn State University virtual tour is entitled It's Your Time, and features a series of videos that cover everything from how life at Penn State differs from high school, to dining options, living arrangements, things to do, the campus and even what to do during your first week at Penn State. Narrated by current students, It's Your Time exudes the camaraderie and welcoming atmosphere that are hallmarks of Penn State University.

In addition to the overview videos, Penn State has created a terrific presentation called FirstThirty which follows four incoming PSU first year students as they acclimate to life at Penn State. For many college applicants, the stress of college applications is compounded by the uncertainty of moving away from parents and into a new community with where they must make new friends. Penn State's FirstThirty presentation tackles this issue head-on with a MTV "Real World" style that is both familiar and reassuring to prospective students. Each Webisode features lots of information about how these four students are adapting to their new home, and gives prospective students a sense for what awaits them if they choose Penn State.

The CampusTours Awards Committee found the Pennsylvania State University virtual tour to be a truly memorable experience, worthy of the CampusTours Four-Star Virtual Tour Award!