<p>My son was accepted to both Penn State and UMass at equal cost. He'd like to graduate in language and liberal college.
We not sure what is a best fit. I like Penn State because it seems to be a better school and great alumn network. My wife thinks U mass is more liberal and let rara about its sports. Penn State seems in the middle of nowhere and very Pennsylvania like, UMass could be more liberal and diverse. Can some one help us compare UMass and Penn State, what are the pros and cons of each school as both are large and state schools.
He is lay back kind of kid, multicultural.</p>
<p>If you mean UMass Amherst–it’s also in the middle of nowhere, although there are several other colleges nearby.</p>
<p>Penn State is twice the size of UMass Amherst, and much more sports-centric.</p>
<p>Looking at a map I would say Penn State is more in the middle of nowhere than UMass, which is only 90 miles from Boston.</p>
<p>I’ve never visited the Penn State campus, so I can’t comment on that. I know kids at both schools who love it there. The schools are close in terms of the quality of the students, with a slight edge to Penn State in terms of test scores. UMass has more diversity if that is important to you.</p>
<p>UMass has a much higher dorm/student ratio, meaning your kid is much more likely to be able to live on campus for all four years if they desire.</p>
<p>My feeling is MA is a much more liberal state than PA, although I since I live in MA I could be biased about that.</p>
<p>Both are great schools, I don’t think you can go wrong with either one.</p>
<p>My son goes to UMASS, and I used to live in the area. It’s not in the middle,of nowhere. Amherst has ranked as the number 1 college town in America, and Northampton, next town over, is not far behind. It’s a very lively area both for culture and entertainment. Plus the Pioneer Valley is a beautiful area with lots of outdoor type stuff to do.</p>
<p>I grew up in NYC and never felt it was the boondocks. </p>
<p>I’ve been to the Happy Valley, and PSU seems to be the only game in town.</p>
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<p>PSU may be the “only” game in town - but it’s a pretty active and diverse game. Lots of activities for everyone. It’s all there - participate or not - it’s all up to the student. There is something for everyone.</p>
<p>Both schools are good, but if you are really looking for a “liberal” atmosphere, then UMass is probably a better match, but that’s not to say your son wouldn’t find a “home” at Penn State. There is also a good-sized multi-cultural population there. </p>
<p>My son actually made a friend one day his first year at PSU getting onto a campus bus. Trying to get onto the bus in the pouring rain, with his backpack and trumpet, another student gave him a hand, and - taking a chance - my son said “Shokran” (“thank you” in Arabic). The other student (who was actually from Egypt) was thrilled that someone even spoke a bit of his native language and they began talking. Since we lived in Egypt for 4 years, the student was thrilled to meet someone who had experienced his homeland. They are not close friends, but see each other occasionally on campus and keep in touch. It’s fun for both of them.</p>
<p>The opportunities are there…you just have to take advantage of them.</p>
<p>The 5 college consortium is a nice plus for UMass. Everyone we know who have had kids go there (including family members back in days before electricity) took advantage of it in one way or another.</p>
<p>I guess this is a case in which the kid should decide. For my kids, my vote would be UMass, and I think theirs would be too. But you never know. It would be their decision. Perhaps a visit or two?</p>
<p>My D just graduated from UMASS and absolutely loved it. There is plenty to do there with Amherst center and Northampton nearby. The campus is very diverse and is, yes, liberal, as is my D.</p>
<p>The area itself is somewhat, I don’t know, granola crunchy, I guess. Pleasant, relaxed with lots of great restaurants and bars and shops.</p>
<p>We visited Penn State with my other D and it is definitely a much prettier campus than the actual UMASS campus (which is a mish mash of architectural styles) but it is also much more isolated than UMASS.</p>
<p>As far as the education, my D is good at getting the most out of an experience and she really did take advantage of what UMASS had to offer. It is a big school but she formed lasting relationships with many of her professors and strong friendships with lots of fellow students.</p>
<p>I think this sort of decision - assuming ample opportunities to visit both campuses - boils down to what “feels” right for the student. Sounds stupid, but I instilled in my kids the belief that they would “just know” when they got to the right campus. </p>
<p>I certainly used that gut feeling when I was interviewing for jobs and I think it holds for picking a college. </p>
<p>My older son had visited several campuses but KNEW that PSU was the place for him. Similarly, my younger son hit the LSU campus (granted, at the height of the azalea bloom) and KNEW that is where he needed to be. DH and I agreed 100% with their decisions. Yeah, they got into better ranked schools, but for their needs (personality, needs, and degree programs), we agreed they made the right decisions.</p>