<p>Been accepted to both, help me decide. Penn State was my definite top choice, but now I'm torn because of the scandal. I love James Madison too, but it's a little far for me.</p>
<p>some issues to consider are cost (are you in state for either one?) and size (Penn State is almost 3 times the size of JMU) and location (it sounds like JMU is farther from you?). Also consider the academic program you are interested in…are there differences between what is offered at JMU vs Penn State?</p>
<p>I’m out of state for both. I’m completely undecided for my major and they both offer a wide variety of classes</p>
<p>Last year I was accepted into both universities and had the oppurtunity of visitng them both. I personally prefered JMU and eliminated Penn State after my visit there. A Big difference between the schools is the size of the campus. Penn State is giant with around three times more students. Personally I found the campus to be unattractive, just a bunch of large buildings like a factory and the weather on that particular day did not help either. JMU on the other hand a found the campus to be very pretty and about medium sized. The bluestone or blueside are of campus is really nice and all of the facilities are fairly new and up to date. The students at JMU were really friendly and open to answer questions and help you find directions, so were the staff members and a professor that I met. I didnt really bother to look around downtown state college but there are supposed to be alot of shops and resturants there. Personally Shenandoah Valley where JMU is located is gorgeous and a nice location but I did not really get a chance to look around the town. One thing that was interesting at JMU was that there are railroad train tracks on campus but I think they were just for freightrains. JMU was also farther from where i live than Penn State is but still reasonable driving distance. Also cost wise not including scholarships JMU OOS tuition is cheaper than Penn State’s by almost 10k.</p>
<p>I think you should visit both schools to do your own assessment. While our son prferred JMU, I personally liked Penn State. I thought the campus was very nice, and State College is a great/fun college town. Lots of school spirit and pride, but same goes for JMU. Don’t let the scandal taint PSU…that’s not what defines it. Both are good schools with solid reputations. If they both meet your needs academically, choose the one that feels right for you.</p>
<p>Go to psu!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t let the scandal influence you; that has nothing to do with the students, so I’m not entirely sure why that would be a factor, but you’re entitled to your thoughts.
I love JMU. Everyone is friendly and helpful and welcoming. I read everyday how someone paid for someone else’s coffee because they were having a bad day and lost their ID card, or how someone gave someone a ride to class to get them out of the rain. The professors are great, especially because there’s no “research pressure” because the school is almost entirely undergrad, so they don’t feel like they have to hire grad students to be TAs or lab assistants, letting more people get unique opportunities. The area is beautiful, downtown is awesome, and it’s a great place to live. Everyone is happy to be here, it’s a family feel I can’t say I’ve felt anywhere else.
I hope this helps you, and good luck with your decision. I hope you choose to become a JMU Duke this Fall!</p>
<p>I was also between Penn State and JMU last year. I visited both and, for me, as soon as I got to JMU’s campus, everything clicked. I saw myself here and that was it! You really do need to visit both schools and decide on your own. A school has to fit YOU!
I can say that I am so glad the I decided to come to JMU and would never change my decision. I have made great friends and am learning a lot here. However, like I said before, you need to visit and get as much info as possible from both schools and make a decision for YOU :)</p>
<p>JMU, is a great school, it is highly regarded in Business, Arts & Theater, Science, education, and many other fields! PSU, is also great however, the scandal did create a lot of fuss.</p>
<p>mY daughter also was accepted to PSU upark and JMU and was having issues deciding. A fter admitted students day for JMU, she has dropped PSU from her list. SHe said she does not need to go to PSU admitted students day because she would rather go to JMU. She said the students and faculty fit her more. i do think both are great, and it really is just amatter of fit and major.</p>
<p>I would be more worried about Pennsylvania cutting funding for PSU than the scandal. IMVHO, while the Athletic Department might have been given too much autounomy (sp?), the school is getting control over that. HOWEVER, the governor is proposing massive funding cuts. This will result in somethings being cut. You should be looking at the Penn Sate board for more information on this. Good luck</p>
<p>I know this is a thread for PSU vs. JMU, however I am struggling right now in choosing Virginia Tech or JMU. Any advice? Thank You.</p>
<p>^^^Best advice is start a new thread to get peoples eyeballs.</p>
<p>there is a thread about Virginia Tech and JMU 3 threads below</p>