<p>I always thought Penn State as a major safety school for me, but after some researches and studies that I have done over the internet, I found it very attracting. </p>
<p>Now I really want to go there.</p>
<p>But being an Asian and my parents, Penn State isn't just too well known over the world.....</p>
<p>I don't know If i will be making a life-time mistake by choosing to go PSU, than others.</p>
<p>It is a huge school and i just don't know.</p>
<p>Rankings and credibility set by alumni networks and fame are my biggest hinderance in choosing my future collge....</p>
<p>Any advice would be awesome at this point.</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>PLEASEEEEE don't pick a school based on how well it is known throughout the world. It's great if it is, but make sure you will love it there. You need to understand that you are commiting yourself to a school for four years (possible more) and you don't want to be miserable for that long. The schools I applied to range from top 10 to not being ranked. Some of the schools that I applied to are in the top twenty, but I know I wouldn't be happy there for four years (figured this out after I applied, unfortunately). Don't make a decision that will affect your future based on numbers and fame; Going to a top tier school does not guarantee happiness or success.</p>
<p>A couple more examples... the summer before my senior year, my dad and I visited schools along the east coast that I thought I would like to apply to. Two of them were top choices before visiting (Brown and MIT). Afterwards, I knew I didn't need to apply because I would never feel excited about going to either school because they didn't feel right to me. Right now, my top choice is the University of Pittsburgh; it's not ranked very high (I think it's near 60), but it is one of the schools where I know I will be successful and where I can enjoy four years with a solid education. Of course, I'm still hoping for big envelopes from Yale and Harvard, but I am comfortable with attending U Pitt. </p>
<p>Also, don't choose a school based on what your parent's think. Value their opinions, but don't let them decide your future for you. I listened to my parents a few too many times while I was applying to college and ended up applying to five schools that I knew I didn't like, but only applied to please my parents (yes, they're Asian). Instead of applying to 13 schools, I could have only applied to eight and saved my parent's a chunk of money in the process. Ultimately, it should be your decision. Not your parents'.</p>
<p>"But being an Asian and my parents, Penn State isn't just too well known over the world....."</p>
<p>So what? Are you planning on living / working internationally? If not, then who cares?
"What Asian parents think" is really of very little importance in the real world.</p>
<p>well,, i am planning to work internationally. (i believe most international students want to do so)</p>
<p>plus, what my parents think are very important, since they paid huge amount of money for my education past 4 yrs. THey have not only paid substantial amount of money, but also they gave up their valuable time that they could possibly spent with me. </p>
<p>i don't know, it's really hard to decide...urg.</p>
<p>and plz i try not to be so subjective, but plz don't be so demeaning of some other people's opinion....</p>
<p>thank you</p>
<p>Well...what are the schools that your parents want you to go to?
Are there any schools that both you and your parents like?</p>
<p>Compromise is key, especially if your parents are helping you out financially through college.</p>
<p>Would your parents approve of Duke, for example? Or perhaps Rice? Both schools have a great/vibrant campus feel (sort of like PSU), but are high in rankings.</p>
<p>Penn State University Park is a really good school. I am not sure what the big concern is in this thread. I could understand if you had you had your heart set on a louisville or some other crappy school, but unless you get into an ivy/ivy caliber school then penn state up is not a step down. Hell, many of those who were accepted to ivies go to schreyers. Penn State is amazing and you will love Happy Valley.</p>
<p>From what i've read on several threads here, prestige and reputation of a school is VERY important in Asia. Whether we agree or not, it is a valid point that qtipkorea4u is making and I can understand why he/she is asking this question. Unfortunately from what i've read if you don't go to one of the big 5-10 schools in this country, you could be looked down as an underachiever there. That in itself is the real shame.</p>
<p>thank you, especially rjkofnovi for at least trying to understand me..</p>
<p>i mean going to colleges is a big choice in your life.</p>
<p>it's a lot of money at least for me. my dad is not Bill Gates and my mom is not Hilary Clinton.... they don't have a lot of money.</p>
<p>but i don't know it seems like the best choice i have... hmm i will let you guys update with upcoming college decision. alright?/</p>
<p>thank you for helping and i would appreciate future comments and advices.</p>