<p>So the final two colleges I'm looking at are Penn State and Brandeis. I'm going for Economics/Business. From what I know, Penn State is ranked 25th for Smeal and the WSJ ranked it the number one school to recruit from for business. I know Brandeis is well respected in academia and on Wall Street. My cousin and his friends in investment banking both recommended Brandeis because it has a strong reputation in the business world. </p>
<p>I'm full pay at both schools but my parents told me not to make my decision based on money and that they'll cover almost all of it as long as i get good grades.</p>
<p>So is it worth it to go to Brandeis for almost twice the cost?</p>
<p>I couldn't really "see" myself at either school among other equalizing factors so fit is practically a wash.</p>
<p>Well if you want a fun college experience Id go to PSU. Its just as good at business and you can get a full college experience and not be with a bunch of socially awkward nerds.</p>
<p>Thanks for the comment. PSU would definitely be the more enjoyable of the two. I do know that since 2000 or so Brandeis has been working to be more fun though.</p>
<p>I would go with psu not sure how well of a college Brandeis is but seems like it is the same as PSU atleast at what you want to do. PSU is a really great school you will have a ton of fun plus state college is an awesome town and you will get the full experince and meet tons of people.</p>
<p>Both are great choices. Personally, I would go with Penn State. It has a very strong national reputation and a nearly unparalleled alumni network. Also, you are far more competitive than the average kid at Penn State so I believe that if you devote yourself to your work, you will be able to graduate at the top of your class and go on to get the same jobs a Brandeis education would allow you to get. Also, there is something to be said for saving $100k, even if your parents don’t want you to use it as the only factor. Only go to Brandeis if you are sure that the education that you get will be that much better.</p>
<p>i’d go with psu, it’s a lot more fun and has large alumni network. brandeis is outside of boston where all the colleges are and isolated so not that great of social scene.</p>
<p>Is money totally a non-issue for Law or B-school, as well? If it is a non-issue I would choose the smaller school near a real city, but that is a personal preference. If you will be paying your own way to grad school, would your parents be willing to put the savings from PSU toward your grad school? In our family the deal was we would pay for any undergrad; grad school was the kids’ responsibility. One son went to an expensive private and is handling his own grad school with a generous fellowship. I have to admit, if our PSU student (who is in a combined BS/MS program) decided to get a doctorate and needed some funding, I would be inclined help him out because his undergrad was so much less than his brother’s.</p>
<p>My cousin goes to brandeis and loves it academically. But socially there isn’t much to do in waltham. Since you are going for business take a look at lists by us news and other sources for best undergrad business schools. As far as I know penn state is on the list(in the 20s), brandeis is not. Also keep in mind that brandeis is a newer school so they may not have as many connections</p>