<p>so I'm in a bit of a dilemma and I was wondering if you folks could help me out. I'm having a hard time picking between University of Pittsburgh and Penn State. My major is going to be biomedical engineering. The problem is this - I got into both branch campuses (crappy SAT score). </p>
<p>Pro for Penn State
- MUCH closer, I could commute which I have no problem with.
- Cheaper
- I like the campus much better</p>
<p>Cons
- Pittsburgh is ranked as a better school for BME.</p>
<p>Pros for Pittsburgh
- Better school for BME.</p>
<p>Cons
- Much much much farther
- Costs more
- Don't like the environment of the campus, more rural </p>
<p>So what do you guys say? I wouldn't have this problem if I got into both main campuses, that way I would just go straight to Pitt. How does doing my basics at Penn State then transferring to Pitt main sound? Should I go with the school that is academically better or stick with where I want to go (Penn State)?</p>
<p>go where you want to go.</p>
<p>If you didn't wan't to attend one of their branch campuses, and they sent you there anyway... I would try as soon as possible and apply to a different university.</p>
<p>I think Pitt and Penn were my best options though. I got into Temple but it isn't known for engineering at all. What are the downfalls of going to a branch campus then transferring to a different university?</p>
<p>Well if the option is avialable ( since branch campus wasn't your main choice) look at other universities you have a chance with for your stats.</p>
<p>Do you mind listing your stats?</p>
<p>They're pretty bad but yea I'll list them lol.
GPA - 3.7
Two APs
Few clubs with leadership positions and other extracurriculars
I do have good recommendations though.
SAT - 520 Math, 500 CR</p>
<p>Your stats are not bad at all, though I must ask how far to your unweighted GPA drop? I have a 3.75 GPA, but my unweighted doesn't drop far at all... I would say between 3.6-3.75.
I think your stats are decent where you may want to try to apply to other universities ( at least I would) though maybe not more prestige than ones applied to already ( to increase chances). If your not in a bad financial situaton, or have scholarships I would find other schools to apply to as soon as possible.</p>
<p>Also thought about retaking the SAT or taking ACT? That may help, and be part of the reason.</p>
<p>Haven't really seen a SAT score that low, and that may be the problem. You've also only took two Ap classes, your schedule may not have been that challenging.</p>
<p>I think my GPA is the same, around that range. Not 100% sure though. And wouldn't taking SATs and ACTs be too late now? I'm a senior and will be graduating this year. I think I could get into other universities but I want to go to a university with a fairly big name and not really a no name school. Can you tell me what the major disadvantages are of going to a branch campus though? What are your thoughts on going to Temple then transferring out?</p>
<p>I guess retaking the test now could be too late unless you know where you could sign up to do retakes now and have it checked within a week after ( that may not be too late then).
Disadvantages of going to a branch campus is that they are not exactly the big name school. Say University of Michigan- Ann Arbor and University of Michigan- Flint are basically two different schools and when reviewing a school profession, stats etc... each University of Michigan is looked at seperately ( UofM- Ann Arbor is rank, Flint is not). Basically a branch school is like attending a different school, with same name, different/seperate academics. So attending Penn branch is almost no different then attending a random school in Penn.</p>
<p>Hard to explain...</p>
<hr>
<p>Nothings negative with a branch school if thats where you would like to attend.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I got into Temple but it isn't known for engineering at all.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>We actually have a very solid engineering school, but it's definitely not our specialty. Drexel is 'known' for engineering, but their engineering school isn't better.</p>
<p>Go to Penn State, you are guaranteed the transfer to UP in 2 years and you could also try transferring to Pitt at that point. If you go to one of the Pitt branch campuses, I don't think the transfer is guaranteed.</p>