OSU vs. UMD vs. PSU

Colleges and Universities A-Z Ohio State University
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<p>Also posted in UMD page:</p>

<p>So basically my three “target” schools are Maryland, Ohio St., and Penn State. The rest of my list is Michigan (reach), Wisconsin (sort of reach), and Michigan State (safety).</p>

<p>I have visited Maryland. Loved the campus, I love DC. I like that they have decent sports with a lot of pride, obviously doesn’t compare to the other to.</p>

<p>Some things I am looking for: I am probably going to join a frat in college. I am looking for a “bro” lifestyle in college (played lax in high school, preppy style, partying, etc.), so if someone could compare this at the three schools (and the others on my list) that would be awesome. Basically, I like the bro/frat culture at some of the more southern schools (UVa, Clemson, Georgia) I just want to stay more northern (Big 10 schools). I am from CT.</p>

<p>Also, what are the more “bro”/preppy frats at these schools?</p>

<p>How is the student life compared for these?</p>

<p>Also, comparison of academics at these schools for finance major, potentially political science/ history minor. I have a feeling UMD, OSU, and PSU have very similar academics, but an inside take would be great.</p>

<p>Anyway, thanks for the help. I’m hoping to visit OSU and PSU but I want a good sense of how I will fit in at the schools.</p>

<p>PS I have heard before that at these big schools, you can always find a group like yourself. I get that, but I am curious about the student bodies as a whole as well.</p>

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<p>I’m a senior finance major at OSU. I have been very happy with my education, and the number of companies who recruit business students here is enormous. We have huge business career fairs, a great student career services office, plus a bunch of specialized business programs (honors and non) if you want to do something more unique with your education. Many of my peers have had plenty of great job opportunities, and I have as well. </p>

<p>As for the ‘bro’ feel to the school, there are plenty of fraternities that embrace that lifestyle, but a fairly small percent (less than 10%) of OSU undergrads are involved in Greek life. OSU isn’t a really Greek life focused school, although there are still dozens of fraternities and sororities. The school as a whole is not particularly preppy or bro, although business students are perhaps more likely to be like that than engineering or liberal arts students.</p>

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<p>If your goal in going to college is to pursue the “bro” lifestyle, and you’re from CT, then why not UConn? Lots of bros there. You’ll save yourself (or your parents) a ton of money. None of those schools is worth the difference in out-of-state tuition. It’s not worth graduating from college with a ton of debt unless you’re majoring in something extra special that you couldn’t get in your home state–and UConn is a school that’s very similar to OSU, UMD, PSU. </p>

<p>You’ll find bros everywhere you go, but the DC area is not all that fond of white male collegiate culture. In fact, DC eats bros for breakfast. I’m sure that man caves abound at UMD, but outside the university you might find that people are not enamored of that lifestyle. Also know that you will be competing with Georgetown and George Washington students for jobs and internships, and they tend to dominate inside the beltway.</p>