<p>Well Penn State is one of my favorite schools. I currently consider myself a "match" admission wise, so I'm trying to find a school just like Penn State that would qualify as a "safety."</p>
<p>I really like the big sports school atmosphere, which is why I also have Florida State and University of Arizona on my list. However I'm looking for one more similar to PSU in a similar location (college town, cold weather and snow).</p>
<p>I liked Indiana University, but it's solely a basketball school, and I want more of a football scene. IU's stadium only fills up about 50%, and I definitely want more spirit than that. I started looking at University of Iowa and University of Oregon, but I'm not really sure. Oregon seems to "hippie" for me...and the state of Iowa doesn't sound too appealing.</p>
<p>So if you have any suggestions that would be great. </p>
<p>Thanks...</p>
<p>FWIW, Iowa City has much more to offer, and is just plain nicer than State College. It is reasonably close to Chicago (about 3 hours, all freeway) and pretty similar to Bloomington, with plenty of nightlife, bookstores, restaurants, etc. I wouldn't eliminate U of Iowa just b/c the rest of the state sucks.</p>
<p>I've heard that Mich. St. has a gorgeous campus - that might be a good option. Why not Ohio St. or Pitt? Are those too urban?</p>
<p>I'll look more into Iowa, OSU, and Michigan State. </p>
<p>But I've never really considered Pitt, but it just doesn't seem like the school I'm looking for. And I'm definitely fine with urban schools, but I would prefer to add another college town school to my list.</p>
<p>thanks for the help</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Yea Penn State is as rural as it gets dude...
its Amish country! :D</p></li>
<li><p>Mich State is a solid option..</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Virginia Tech or University of Maryland? </p>
<p>I'm not sure how hard they are OOS, but they are both big football schools. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, which I would imagine is very similar in feel to Penn State's town.</p>
<p>Maryland is in a suburban location so maybe it is not so much for you.</p>
<p>what about Syracuse?</p>
<p>Rutgers, Temple, Florida State, UNLV</p>
<p>university of washington...or washington state? i think they're pretty easy to get into (compared to penn state), and they both have football teams. don't know about the location, though.</p>
<p>Washington State is a fairly easy admit. University of Washington, however, is not. It's probably slightly more selective than Penn State or Ohio State, particularly if you're OOS.</p>
<p>UW also has one of the most beautiful settings of any campus in America on Lake Washington on the north side of Seattle. Washington State is in Pullman on the Eastern plains of the state.</p>
<p>Other than the urban/college town settings Penn State and Ohio State are very similar (in a positive way) colleges from my perspective.</p>
<p>Iowa City is actually a pretty nice college town. I'd recommend visiting before you take it off the list. </p>
<p>And...don't even consider UNLV. It's a major commuter school, and it definitely doesn't have the small, college town feel you're looking for. And if Penn State is a match, Maryland would probably be a little reach-y. </p>
<p>Rutgers could be good though.</p>