Penn State Honors, Maryland Honors or Michigan State Honors?

Parents Forum
1

<p>My son intends to be a physics major, and has been accepted into Penn State Schreyers, Maryland Honors and Michigan State Honors. Being in-state in PA, and with merit aid, MSU would be $12,000/yr, Penn State about 25,000 and Maryland about $28,000. We can afford all three, but of course all things being equal....</p>

<p>But are they equal? Penn State's honor program is so highly selective that it seems an honor he shouldn't pass up. MSU offers a Professorial Assistantship, in which freshmen and softmores are matched with professors for guarenteed research opportunities right away. Maryland has the highest SATs for its student body in general, though we don't know much about the advantages of its honor program.</p>

<p>Any advice? Is this the best forum to gain some insight on the advantages of one honors program over another, or should I post under the three schools? Thanks for your counsel.</p>

2

<p>All great schools. Your son will not be held back in any way by attending any of the three. </p>

<p>(MSU grad here-OOS)</p>

<p>I’d suggest he go to least expensive of the three.</p>

3

<p>Michigan is an ACT state and I believe Maryland still tilts toward SATs so if you’re going to go solely on SAT scores you might be making correlations that aren’t really there. But in general I can’t imagine there is a whole lot of difference and all are fine universities. Your son should visit all three and figure out which one he prefers.</p>

4

<p>Shreyers…no doubt about it. </p>

<p>Frankly, I don’t understand why this is even a question…you’re instate, it’s a bargain price, and it’s one of the best HC programs out there.</p>

5

<p>Have him visit and see which college feels best for him. Penn State’s honors program is the most prestigious, but MSU’s lower tuition plus assistantship program is a great choice too, as such research jobs are often paid and offer students the opportunity to work and make $$ over the summer, as well as earning credits throughout the year.</p>

6

<p>Maryland has a lot of flexibility in its honors program. There are many honors courses and sections to choose from. And the University Honors program is strictly a freshman-sophomore program. Whether to do departmental honors as an upperclassman is a separate choice. This could be important if his interests do not include research; he wouldn’t be obligated to do research in his last two years the way honors students at some universities are.</p>

<p>Maryland’s campus is also within easy reach of a very interesting city, which is something Penn State can’t offer.</p>

<p>On the other hand, it would cost more, and the immediate area (College Park) is not particularly nice, although the campus itself is lovely. He should visit if he’s seriously considering Maryland.</p>