<p>I've gotten my decision down to Penn State (main campus) and UMD. Both are big schools; which I like. </p>
<p>Penn State: TONS of spirit, THON, decent academics (should have apllied to the honors program), nice little town but otherwise isolated,</p>
<p>UMD: I got into their Scholars Program: Media, Society, and Self, spirited, close to DC, close to home (I will live on campus), prettier campus (buildings match)</p>
<p>I just knocked out Clemson because it is far and in an isolated area, but I could reconsider for good reasons.... I REALLY can't decide. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I'd say UMD... The location definitely has it over Penn State and I'm assuming the Scholars program there would be more academically challenging than regular Penn State. I don't know that much about UMD, but just by your list it seems like a better choice.</p>
<p>Actually the Scholars Program is not really an "academic" program. It is not their Honors Program. It is a two year citation program that has 11 different focus areas that you could apply to. I got into the Media section. You just take 1 class that is geared toward your focus, a 1 credit colloquium each semester, and have a project presentation at the end of your sophomore year. All other classes are your gen ed. classes the first two years. After that, you have chosen your major and choose your course work accordingly. The program is like a learning community and helps to make a big school a little smaller.</p>