I just got accepted by Penn state university, however, the problem starts here. Originally my father and I planned to visit the university this weekend, after knowing that I applied for berks instead of university park for business he immediately dismisses the idea of visiting. I’ll quote on his reason " look at us news ranking, only the university park campus show up on the ranking. You see the branches campus are only for the locals and only university park are the international prestigious campus (FYI: I’m from Canada)." Since my father is paying for my university tuitions, I felt obliged to not argue back. So here is my question, is my father’s claim right? If not, can you guys give me some evidence to prove to him that is not the case. I really don’t want to loose the opportunity to attedn this school.
also could you guys please tell me if you are a penn state student, a prof at penn state, admission officers ect while you reply?
Your father is correct about the branch campuses of Penn State, or most branch campuses. It makes no economic or academic sense to attend Penn State Berks as a Canadian when there are dozens of better universities in Canada that cost a lot less money. Berks is a commuter campus for locals and those denied admission to the University Park campus. It is not just a matter pf “prestige”.
@jinkhad What TomSrOfBostom says above is correct. Unless you go to a Penn State branch campus with the desire and ability (check out the transfer rules) to transfer as soon as you are able to, it makes no academic or financial or social sense to go to a branch campus, especially when you are from out of state or international. The main campus is the one that is highly ranked, not the branches. Graduate schools and employers know this. Compared to the branch campuses, College Park has the most diverse course offerings and majors, best professors, best students, best facilities (academic, recreational and campus) and vast resources–research opportunities, extracurricular opportunities outside the classroom, sports–intramural and division 1. Do not waste your parents money by going to a branch campus unless you will be transferring as soon as you can. By the way, you asked responders to state if they have any affiliation to Penn State. I don’t. But I am a parent who has gone through two extensive admissons cycles with my kids having applied and visited to 24 colleges combined --and I am a College Confidential junky :).
I am a PSU alumni as is my husband, and I have two PSU students and I am a PSU Parent Ambassador (That means PSU send me out to talk to students and parents about admissions etc). The commonwealth campuses are not the same as UP campus, but in nearly all cases, you can do a 2+2 where you begin at the commonwealth campus and complete your degree at UP. No “transfer” necessary. It’s automatic. In that case, your degree will be from Penn State University. Period. PSU is a lot of money for OOS students. The commonwealth campuses are slightly less, but still a lot. You have to decide if the ends justify the means. Meaning, if ending up with a PSU degree is worth starting at the commonwealth campus.
PSU Berks has about 3,000 students vs UP’s 40,000 +, however, 60% of students who graduate from Penn State did their first 2 years at a commonwealth campus.
So if I do the 2+2 program am I guaranteed that I can transfer to the main campus?
If you work with your advisor to make sure you cover all the requirements to transfer, I believe it’s pretty much guaranteed. It’s not like applying for college again.
If you have cheaper/better options in Canada, PSU might not be worth it.
If I am already admitted by berks, is it too late for me too change to the main campus?
You can try if you say summer session and dus (not 'business’s - Dus means you apply to business like everyone during sophomore year.)
The 2+2 means that as long as you get the grades in your required classes you go to UP junior year. It’s not a transfer system, it’s a double level system : pre-reqs in one place, then specialty classes at UP.
However I don’t think it’s worth the high oos costs as surely you must have similar options for a cheaper cost in Canada.
If you really want to graduate from psu, you could also ask to switch to a branch campus with dorms, such as Harrisburg, or even Greater Allegheny (GA is basically open admission so not difficult to switch to, but check you can start there for dus-> business ; Harrisburg may be a good choice for an alternate campus, better than Berks but easier to get than dus summer Up.)