How is the transition from satellite campus to University Park 2+2 Plan?

At this point, I’m torn between Penn State Abington 2+2 plan and University of Delaware

I’m majoring in finance so I’m most worried about getting an internship. My question is does the transition from Abington to UP make this more complicated? I like Udel because I would be situated in the same campus for all four years but Abington would obviously be more affordable. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I am OOS and was waitlisted from my state school (rutgers) so I am in between Penn State and Udel

I’d see if they would reconsider you for Altoona, Harrisburg, or Erie. Abington is very much so a commuter campus/community college feel. Otherwise i’d go for Udel.

Business school at Erie is amazing. I know the weather stinks, but they really go out of their way to engage students in career-enhancing activities. Go on FB and search Penn State Behrend Finance and check out some of the posts. Lots of snow in Erie, but the campus is beautiful and you’d get more of a true campus experience with 4K+ students.

What’s the difference in cost and how much can your parents pay from income and savings?

@myos1634 To be honest with you I don’t know how much they can pay and how much would be loans because my dad does not like discussing it with me (I’ve tried because I don’t want this to be a burden on them but he won’t tell me he keeps saying they will pay. I think he doesn’t want me to not choose a school because of money and that’s why he doesn’t want to answer). He said the choice is up to me and either is fine. But the cost is significant because it’s 50k vs 35k. He said he doesn’t think CC is great either for my specific major because he said a lot of his higher ups at work said they are looking for internships as early as sophomore year and that you need to be already somewhat established (he works for a brokerage firm and that’s the field I am planning on pursuing also). That’s why Abington worries him a little too (because I wouldn’t stay after 2 years). Before you ask about my instate option as I said previously, I was waitlisted from rutgers

Call Penn State and ask whether you can be switched to Erie because your parents will only let you go to a university college not a small branch.
(Don’t mention costs or Rutgers).

To answer your original question:
You take your required courses in smaller classes and then transition to UP if you have a 2.0; you have your major if you meet there Major’s requirements.
Abington is a commuter campus, not worth it from OOS - there would be very few people during the weekends for instance, very little going on on campus.
As an OOS student you should be at Erie, Harrisburg or Altoona.

@MYOS1634 Is there a reason you’d suggest Erie? I applied to Abington because it was closer to home and I was planning to move to UP after the first two years regardless of what branch I got into. I just asked for money from Abington yesterday and they gave me an additional 5k a year so would that be weird to now want to switch to Erie?

Well, because Abington is smaller and more commuter. But if you plan on going home on weekends it wouldn’t be a problem and the extra 5k is worth considering.

I live near Abington, and know quite a few kids who go there. They have a beautiful new freshman dorm, and sports and activities. The kids seem to be happy But, I also love UD, and if my son had to make the same choice, he would have picked UD. He loved it there, and had he not gotten into PSU main campus, he would 100% be going to UD. As far as internships go, UD is very close to Wilmington, and there are so many corporations headquartered there. And they love UD students. My older son goes smaller school near Philly, is majoring in finance, and has had a ton of opportunities. He’s currently doing an 8 month co-op (paid internship) in finance.
Also, something to consider… PSU Finance is a pre-major, and you need a 3.5 gpa to get in/stay in. If you’ve been directly admitted to UD’s business school, it might be a better option.

Sorry this is so long . I don’t think there’s a wrong decision here. Let us know what you decide!

I agree with the above: have you been directly admitted to the business school at UDel?

Is 35k COA with the scholarship?

You really should have a serious talk with your dad to see if he can send you to UDel without taking a parent PLUS loan for you. If he can, I’d go with UDel. If he can’t, things get more complicated…or clearer.

@penmom222
Thanks for the response and those have all been talking points. I don’t plan to return to NJ but I’d like to live somewhat close to my parents so I like the idea of living in Delaware and being able to either work in Wilmington or Philly. You do bring up a good point about having to maintain a 3.5 to stay in the business program at PSU which makes me a little nervous. With Delaware, you are already admitted to the business program which is nice and I don’t know about PSU but seems easier to double major at UD (1/4 of Udel Business school does double major according to their website) I may want to double major with accounting but I haven’t made up my mind about that yet. I will definitely let you know what I decide and I’ll probably know after I revisit UD for admitted students day on the 13th

Have you visited UD yet (for a regular tour)? If not, I think you’ll really like it when you go to accepted students day. I agree with you that it’s in a great location. Close enough to home, but far enough, too. But it’s expensive OOS, so it would ultimately depend on your parents and what they can swing. You seem like a great kid, and I know you’ll end up successful whichever school you choose . You really can’t go wrong either way! ?

My daughter went to UDel Nursing. She loved the campus and we were happy with it too. We both liked that it has a very nice campus, the town of Newark is nice and it is close enough to other big cities. Go with UDel!

@penmom222
Parents were overly impressed with Udel and I committed today. To help with costs, they are thinking about moving down to Delaware once my sisters graduate high school. Thanks again for everyones help

Congratulations! I think you made a fantastic choice! When my son was considering it, we were thinking about moving there as well. Best of luck to you and for what it’s worth, UD’s dining hall food is a lot better than PSU’s ?
I’m really happy for you!

Congratulations!