Hello, I’m a guy from NJ and have been accepted into the computer science program at Penn State and Rutgers. Both schools really interest me and have become the only 2 I’m considering hitting the accept button for. With regards to size and sports culture they are relatively similar. Program wise, I have seen similar rankings for each. I am fine with both campus feels. Although I am interested in at one point or another living in a city, I have grown up in the distant suburbs so Rutgers would be a pleasant change of pace, but PSU feels a lot like home. No issue with either one. Food options and living conditions seem better at PSU. The dorms I was shown at Rutgers felt like a hospital and didn’t seem like somewhere I could see myself, granted that is only Freshman housing. Financially, in state tuition is a big plus at Rutgers. All of my education will be financed with loans and I will be the one inheriting these loans NOT my parents. However, I’m not opposed to spending more for an education if I will have a better experience at PSU. With the boom in Comp Sci jobs I don’t necessarily think it will be an overwhelming challenge to pay off my debts. One of the most important aspects of a school for me is the career services department. Which college would be better for getting internships each summer and a job after college? Also I picked big 10 schools for the education but I also would like the social aspects as well. As a freshman guy I have heard the party scene is difficult to get into. Which college would have more opportunities to get out on the weekends? Which campus has the more attractive student body for a white male? Just as a disclaimer for this last point, I’m not a rascist or against diversity but I come from an affluent White community and am used to these people, Rutgers seemed extremely diverse and PSU not so much.
You cannot get enough loans to pay the cost of Rutgers (or the much more expensive Penn State) without a cosigner.
Do you have any cheaper (full ride) options?
“… against diversity but I come from an affluent White community and am used to these people”. Sorry but I have to say that it is time to grow up (which isn’t what I’d really like to say but I don’t want to be booted from this site)! But it would have to do with taking your affluence and whiteness and…
Rutgers suite style dorms are very nice and i’ve been told they’re good with job fairs and also have a lot of on campus employment. Very big greek life though and I can’t imagine with the huge campus that it would be that hard to get involved socially.