I got accepted to both Penn and Michigan State. I know the Penn is more prestigious but I live in Michigan so I was wondering if going to Penn would be worth the extra money. I plan on studying political science. If I go to
MSU I would be in the James Madison College, if I go to Penn I would be in the College of Liberal Arts.
I don’t think there is enough difference to justify making your decision based upon prestige.
Just a note: “Penn” is the University of Pennsylvania, while “PSU”/“Penn State” is Pennsylvania State University.
Penn State is probably not worth OOS tuition if you have other good options.
If you’re instate a MSU, go there. I bet you got into the Honors colleges too.
What’s your budget? How would you afford the difference between instate MSU and PSU?
If the answer is ‘loans’, don’t look back and pick MSU.
I think this is a no-brainer. MSU is a top tier university and it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than Penn State. What’s really going to be important is your major. If it’s employable, the school won’t matter. If it’s not employable, neither school will help you…and Penn State will drown you in debt.
^ actually, that’s not true. Majors that aren’t preprofessional or vocational can lead to very good jobs. There aren’t inherently unemployable majors. (Some people for instance would name women’s studies or African American studies as ‘lezdibg to nowhere’ and yet, associated with a few targeted courses or a minor in business, there are huge prospects in HR. So the students would need a career center and advisers who can point in that direction and advise effectively so that the students can have both internships at non profits and HR. On the other hand, few would know that biology has one of the lowest ROIs along all possible majors. Recreation science and sports management also aren’t doing that well. Yet even students in these three majors finding jobs, depending on what they did while in college.) What matters is how they are structured, how good the career center is in general and for these majors in particular, and, to a certain extent, the relative prestige of the university.
@lorni: how much would each cost? Can your parents afford either one without debt? Pick the school that means minimizing costs and especially debt.
Look carefully at each major within political science for each university. Thee offerings are actually very different.
MSU has four possible majors: one, the most flexible, is General Political science; then you have : Pre-law, which focuses on constitutional law, policy, and American politics; Public Policy; and International relations/world politics.
PSU has one general political science program; a program in Data Analysis applied to political science called SODA (think 538 and co); international relations and world politics; national security; international political economy (which combines economics, policy, and international relations.)
As you can see, those are quite different. Look at what each entails.
But, again, not worth debt for any of those.
I heard god things about JMC at MSU. Idk how Penn State compares, but JMC is a very good opportunity for poly sci
A longtime James Madison College professor once quipped that JMC is like an Ivy League college with Big 10 sports.
OP: Have you been accepted to Penn or to Penn State ?
With an SAT score of 1180, probably safe to assume Penn State, not Penn.
@laurni
Congratulations on your acceptances! Would you mind sharing some of your stats (residency/citizenship, SAT/ACT, GPA)? I am applying to both as a freshman this fall, and also intend on majoring in IR/Pol Sci. Any help/advice from you would be very helpful as I’m very interested in both school!
Thanks very much.