<p>I was choosing between UCR and Syracuse (engineering) and just after beginning to lean towards Syracuse and making my final decision...I was pleasantly suprised with admission to Penn State University Park for Enginnering! I know they have a pretty reputable name and USNews ranks their engineering program as 17 (versus UCR which is 82 and Syracuse which is 66). Their program is probably superior but I am scared that at such a giant public institution I will have a really hard time assimilating. I know that doing engineering is going to be an extremely challenging task for me where I have to work harder than the average students to even hang on and thats why I thought that the private aspect of Syracuse would benefit me and come in handy. Do not ask about costs, right now this is no longer a factor.</p>
<p>melokid, no matter where you study engineering, you will be working very hard. One of my nephews graduated from PSU in civil engineering a few years ago and his brother is in the petroleum engineering program now. Both are very satisfied with their education at PSU (and I am sharing this even though I’m a Pitt engineering alumnae!)</p>
<p>I frankly am always confused by this “lost is a large school” attitude. Would you feel the same about living in a large city with lots of things to do? Regardless, studies show that at either a large school or a small school kids tend to develop an inner circle of friends that are the same size.</p>
<p>You just will need to break things down into manageable parts at such a big school. Being in the engineering school should make Penn State feel smaller, especially if the program starts in freshman year – you’ll end up taking a group of courses with students who have similar interests. You should be able to find one group of friends with other engineers and another group of friends with people in your dorm. It seems like the best school for your interests. In reality Syracuse and UCR are pretty big schools as well (not as big as Penn State, but still pretty big) so you will likely face many of the same issues. </p>
<p>Not sure why the private aspect of Syracuse would help you unless the school has more resources/tutoring/smaller classes available in which case that should be factored in to your decision if you feel that would help you to succeed in the engineering program.</p>
Oh, did your parents win the megamillions? From previous posts you are from CA and didn’t want to make your parents pay for Syracuse. How will they pay for Penn State? You certainly aren’t going to get any FA from them.</p>
<p>^^^There are some families fortunate enough to be in a position where money is not a deciding or even a material factor in their decision. If the OP said it isn’t a consideration, I’d take that at face value. If his/her parents determine that money is a factor, that is certainly their prerogative and it should then immediately weigh heavily in the college choice.</p>
<p>As for the OP, I’d strongly consider Penn State if it is the best program. If Syracuse offers something different because it is a private school (not sure what that would be), then look at the differences and decide which is the better fit. And if finances are an issue are you are a CA resident, then the UC is a smart and cheaper choice. </p>
<p>If you were comparing Penn State to a small LAC with engineering I would think size of school should be a bigger factor in your decision, but all of the schools you are looking at are reasonably big.</p>