<p>I'm looking for a strong education that is not going to cost me as much as a mortgage to pay off. So, I took interest in my local Penn State, a commuter campus, a small school with about 1700 undergraduate students. They are adding my major starting this fall and many of the teachers have received their doctorate degrees. I'm just wondering if the education I can receive at my local campus will be as good as that of Penn State in University Park. Does anyone know for sure or have any suggestions for me? Everyone talks about PSU main campus and not much about smaller local campuses. In this economy, it only seems right for me to go to the school where I can come out with the least amount of debt (student loans to pay off) so my local Penn State looks good in that sense. I'm not interested in going to main campus just yet because I really don't want to go that far from home.</p>
<p>Is it possible to start at the local campus and transfer to the main campus? You could get some of the basic requirements out of the way in smaller classes than at the main campus and then transfer for upper-division. Of course, depending on your major, that may not even be necessary.</p>
<p>Yes that is a possibility. Since the local campus is adding my major though, I won’t necessarily have to transfer to the main campus. I guess the only reason I’d transfer is if the local campus is the equivalent of a community college. That is my only fear. I’m interested in pre-veterinary medicine and plan to major in biology. I go to a private college-prep high school that costs a lot of money and did not even get into my top choice for college - (an ivy league school) so I’m thinking, why should I overpay for college if my local penn state can offer me the same education. I’m just trying to find out if my local campus really does offer the same education as other more expensive schools.</p>
<p>Penn State has a 2+2 plan, where you can have a starting and ending university. </p>
<p>For the first two years, you study at one of the local campuses, and then switch to University Park to finish up the final two years. That way you have the same degree as someone who goes to University Park for all four years.</p>
<p>If you go to a local campus in 4 yrs your degree will read the same as a student who went to all 4 yrs at main. If you go two and two you will still have a PSU diploma.You cannot differentiate where you got it by the diploma.</p>
<p>The local campus will probably have smaller classes and a better ability to get to know your professors. </p>
<p>The question I would be asking though of the local campus is if there is a way for you to be involved in research those first two years or all 4 years. Research and internships will be helpful for you to get into a good grad school.</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses guys! </p>
<p>@kevycanuck - Don’t you end up with a degree that says Penn State no matter which campus you go to? I heard that your degree says the same thing whether you go to main campus or a local campus for all 4 years. </p>
<p>If anyone attends a local penn state campus vs. university park, your input would be very helpful!</p>
<p>@sax - That’s what I thought about the degree. And I got into the honors program at my local campus so there will be opportunities for me to do research and work closely with my professors. Does that sound as good as main campus then? My parents keep telling me I have a false understanding of the difference between penn state campus locations. I’ve just always thought that main campus was “better” than the local smaller campuses. Is that untrue? As far as internships go, I already work at a boarding kennel and will soon be applying for a job at a vet office. There are a lot of vets around here that I know so I’m thinking maybe if I go to the local campus, I’d have a better chance of getting a job/internship working with a vet I already know.</p>
<p>KA. Congrats on the honors acceptance. My son graduated honors in 2010. </p>
<p>You need to ask a few things: What honors classes are actually taught at your local branch. The first two years of honors are great because you get small classes and a variety of honors classes to take at main campus. Sometimes ( I hear) local campuses just have you take a regular class and then do extra work by yourself to “make it honors designation” Will you be happy with this?</p>
<p>I think your local connections are great and they would be a plus for you to not only do work in your field but to also get paid. </p>
<p>I would contact the head of the program at Penn State Main and ask in either an email or ask for a phone call to discuss your questions. I am sure they will be willing to discuss the program with you especially since it will be new at your location. They may give you another contact name as well. You may want to get involved in research in your field and it will be important to ask them how you would do this at your local school.</p>
<p>You will also have an advisor that will help you with these questions. PSU does do everything possible to give their honors students everything they need to be wildly successful. I think it would be great to do the first two yrs local and then decide to either go to MAin or not. You will know more then</p>
<p>There are many things that factor into a college education. One is your interaction with your peers, social involvement and the ability to attend lectures, concerts etc. You may be missing out on these things at the local campus, which will be (most likely) a commuting campus. It certainly is possible to get an adequate education and you are wise to consider the financial aspect, but don’t discount the opportunities you might have to expand your horizons at main campus. I would keep an open mind about transferring to main campus after a year or two. </p>
<p>Did you not apply to some schools that might have given you some merit scholarships?</p>
<p>@momofwildchild - I applied to 8 schools, 5 of which offered me scholarships. One school even offered me their presidential scholarship and I was admitted to their honors program as well. But even though I received the greatest scholarship that schools offers and financial aid as well, the out of pocket amount is still far greater than that of my local penn state campus. I am still open to the idea of going to university park after the first 2 years, but like sax said, I’ll know more then.</p>
<p>Momofwildchild makes some very good points about the extra activities on main campus. I got the feeling you are trying to do this as “cheaply” as possible and still have a great education. Momof wildchild is looking out for you.</p>
<p>Usualy commuting is cheaper. Remember though that commuting to school takes time in the car and gas money. Work those into your thinking. Also many times students will get together in study groups with difficult problems. Sometimes this is easier to do living with your classmates. You can do this commuting.It just might be more difficult.</p>
<p>Main also has different animals up there. I remember the darn pigs …they are huge. I don’t know that much but you can ask what opportunities are at main. Since you are an honors student they might have some cool stuff you don’t even know about.</p>
<p>You should also ask about additional scholarships from your department. Many majors give scholarships to sophomres and juniors who are excelling in their school. You need to be aware of these and whether or not you need to apply for them.</p>