I’m a Penn State alum and my daughter has been accepted to both Ithaca and PSU. For communications, is a smaller environment with a good program better than a large school. I think she’s suited to both from a social aspect, but I’m wondering if she will be more successful with smaller classes and a more intimate setting than a large university. Any thoughts?
Based on your daughter’s interest in communications, Ithaca seems like a natural fit for her.
Had the same issue with larger schools and we hope to visit Penn state in April to look at the facilities there… isn’t Ithaca having issues with enrollment? I think I read that they had to downsize staff… I’m not a fan of small colleges with a weak endowments. We’ve had a few shutdowns in the Northeast this year.
D visited Ithaca twice (we are from PA) for film/video. The facilities are wonderful and the surrounding area is nice; however both times we visited it was dreary, grey and raining or snowing. Although the communications department is very nice- rest of campus not very “pretty”. Interesting that the students all said it was mostly cold and dreary throughout the school year… However, I don’t think your D can go wrong with either-psu is building brand new comm building to be finished fall 2020- also at accepted students day PSU stated major classes are small (not gen Ed’s) …so I guess we will see as my D chose PSU. Depends whether she wants big school or small school. It is advisable to visit both more than once if you have the opportunity…
Yes, krabbiek, we have visited Penn State in the summer for “Spend a Summer Day at Penn State” and we’ve had a tour of Ithaca over the summer as well. Funny that you mention the weather–Penn State gets a lot of crummy weather, too, as it is in a valley, but you can’t beat the beautiful campus or college town atmosphere. D was actually accepted into Smeal College of Business at PSU. She’s interested in both business and comm. but isn’t sure. We were advised to apply to Smeal because it’s hard to transfer in from another college, so better to start there if you can get accepted. Their comm program sounded impressive, but I’m not sure they can compete iwth Ithaca with internships. We are going to accepted students days at both colleges over the next two weeks. We’ll have to do some fact-finding and make a decision after these visits. Good luck to you and your daughter!
@AJCmom - agreed that internships at Ithaca definitely seemed exceptional- especially the California Semester… and also agree psu weather definitely is not south beach, but I think they may have a few more sunny days vs Ithaca ? I enjoyed Ithaca and the Comm/film building. Good Luck, cannot go wrong with either!