<p>Can anyone comment one whether the introductory courses in both schools are similar? My kid applied to the engineering school as an undeclared major because he's not sure what he'd like to specialize in, but the IST program holds a lot of appeal as well.</p>
<p>Many thanks!</p>
<p>No, they are not similar at all. </p>
<p>The two areas are very different and there is very little (if any overlap).</p>
<p>These two links will give you a general idea of the course flow for each…
[Recommended</a> Academic Plans ? College of Information Sciences and Technology](<a href=“http://ist.psu.edu/current-students/plans]Recommended”>Undergraduate Academic Advising | Penn State College of IST)
[Penn</a> State COE Academic Plans by Campus of Admission](<a href=“http://www.engr.psu.edu/AcademicPlans/default.aspx]Penn”>http://www.engr.psu.edu/AcademicPlans/default.aspx)</p>
<p>Thank you! Do you know if many kids end up switching between the two schools once they figure out what they’d like to study? At many research universities (e.g., Penn) information sciences is within the engineering school. I’m guessing a lot of students aren’t sure which direction they’d want to go in when applying to college. </p>
<p>Or am I misunderstanding what IST at Penn State is? Is it not as heavily science based? </p>
<p>To your knowledge, is one school harder than the other to get admitted into at PSU? We figured if he could get accepted into the engineering school he’d probably be able to switch out more easily than vice versa. Thanks, again.</p>
<p>As an IST student here at Penn State, I’ll give my two cents.</p>
<p>From what I have experienced, the real divide with IST is itself and Computer a science, which falls under the College of Engineering. However, IST is it’s own college. IST takes a much more technological and societal approach to things whereas both Computer Science and Engineering are more theory based. Getting admitted for Engineering will probably be harder than getting in for IST. I initially was admitted as a Business major but switched during orientation with no problems whatsoever.</p>
<p>Also, here’s a link to some information about IST: [Future</a> Students ? College of Information Sciences and Technology](<a href=“http://ist.psu.edu/future-students]Future”>Prospective Students | Penn State College of IST)</p>
<p>Thanks, fawninghawk!</p>
<p>In terms of what to study, IST or engineering. I would pick engineering. Engineering is harder for a reason, more thoery based and those students are really prepared to tackle on the technological challenges in the world. IST is more a computer programming and business major. It does look appealing, but of all honestly think of it this way. An engineering major could same job plus more of what IST major can do. However, IST major cannot and will have trouble having engineering job.</p>
<p>Cheers</p>
<p>Thanks, obwian22. That was kind of what I was thinking, but I wasn’t sure. The SRA major sounds awfully cool, though. (That “President Palmer” video didn’t suck me in at all, LOL!)</p>
<p>[Security</a> And Risk Analysis (SRA) ? College of Information Sciences and Technology](<a href=“http://ist.psu.edu/future-students/sra]Security”>http://ist.psu.edu/future-students/sra)</p>
<p>Also IST is a nice easy major to minor or double major in. For example Im doing engineering major and ist minor to get extra software/programming engineering courses. </p>
<p>If you really like IST or SRA I would do computer science and ist/SRA as minor or double major. At Penn State that is pretty typical. That would actually be a very good combination. However, make sure that you put computer science as primary major though because college of engineering is harder to get in.</p>
<p>Thanks, again, obwian22. It would be my son, not me, and he’s already been accepted into the engineering school (his first choice), as an undeclared major. I’m not sure what other schools/majors he listed when he made his application. I think he may have listed IST second. I think that computer science/IST/SRA combo sounds like a terrific idea for someone with his interests.</p>
<p>Cost is going to be an issue for us. He’s already been offered a full-tuition scholarship to Bama, plus another $2500/year for engineering. Obviously, Penn State’s engineering is ranked higher, but we’ll be doing a close comparison of the two schools once it gets down to making a final decision. Penn State @ ~$26,000 a year or Bama @ ~$15,500? Not an easy decision.</p>
<p>Im an out of state student at Penn State engineering its worth the cost for sure. Finding a job after graduation wont be a problem. I already had multiple internships with great companies. Its all thanks to Penn State’s great engineering rankings and reputation!</p>