I’m planning to major in architecture and I’m torn between those 2 schools. I’ve made my research about their architecture programs and to me, both of the schools seem to have a good architecture program. Money is not an issue here either. And i fit the bill for both of the schools’ requirements. (1300 SAT, 97 TOEFL, 3.9 GPA and etc.). If Penn State wasn’t located in the middle of nowhere but instead was close to some major cities then I would have chosen penn state in a heartbeat. but I like the weather, the beach, the proximity to Miami and basically everything UofM has to offer. But on the flipside, Penn State that offers a strong alumni networks. So my question is which school would have chosen if you were in my shoes?
My daughter is an Engineering major at PSU . Her cousin is a Computer Science major at UofM. I have got to say…the weather is lousy and its in the middle of nowhere but Happy Valley hands down! Especially in your major. Not only for the alumni networks but the recruiting. Jobs, jobs, jobs. Trust me there is plenty to do at Penn State you wont feel isolated. As a parent I love going there. The whole town is about the school. The quintessential college vibe. I have been to Miami. Great vacation spot but college is not a vacation.
I applied to both schools too, as a com major. Here’s what I’ll say:
U Miami has a significantly lower acceptance rate than Penn State, so it may look more prestigious to future employers. However, Penn State does have a fantastic alum network.
Miami is in a city, which will allow you more opportunities for internships during college and summer. Penn State does not have this advantage.
I say this objectively, as someone who will not being attending either schools: for opportunity, prestige, and excitement, pick Miami. Miami is a global city will lots to do and lots to learn. Penn State simply doesn’t have the ability to provide these career-making experiences. Happy Valley is pretty, but cities will always have an edge.
Regardless of which you choose, both schools are good and both will provide you good opportunities and a stellar education. What I’ve said is simply an opinion, and I in no way think Penn State is not a fantastic school. Best of luck in your decision!
If you are accepted to Miami, I’d strongly recommend attending the accepted students event (I believe it was called ‘Cane for a Day). My daughter was accepted last year with a generous scholarship. On her first tour she was dazzled by the palm trees, a dynamic tour guide and the city of Miami. Attending classes and interacting with students and faculty helped her determine it was not a good match (lots of students skipping the class in her intended major, limited enthusiasm for the program among faculty) and as soon as she got in the car she said “cross that one off the list.” It was the right decision for her and one that she might not have made without the revisit.
I just want to chime in on the acceptance rate for Penn State. The published rate includes branch campuses. Main @University Park is more selective especially in your intended major. They “branch” a lot of students who applied to Main because they did not make the cut.
As a parent of a Penn Stater, I can attest to the fact that these students are offered amazing internship opportunities. Likewise, a Wall Street Journal poll of executive recruiters ranked Penn State #1 nationally for creating the most prepared college graduates…over the Ivies. The alumni network is tremendously powerful and is something you will have access to for life…sorry, annoyed by the poster who said Penn State does have the ability to provide these career making experiences. We are located in a small town of Happy Valley, but we are an enormous community that supports each other. Downside: we don’t give out a lot of scholarships or aid.
@RelocatedYankee I also want to visit the university and see it for myself, but I literally live on the other side of the world. maybe if I do get accepted me and my dad might visit Miami and the University and the same goes for PennState.
@Twinmom2014 That’s actually not correct. The published acceptance rate for Penn State University Park is correct for University Park. The branch campuses have their own acceptance rates. According to the common data set, Penn State UP accepted 50.4 % of it’s applicants for the 2017-2018 school year. (27,388 out of 54,271 applicants). That’s just for UP. Of course, different majors skew that significantly in that Smeal only generally accepts 10-12% of students per year.
For comparison sake, Altoona accepted about 95% of their applicants as did Erie. Again, different majors are harder to get into at the commonwealth campuses as well. But the overall acceptance rate of 50% is accurate for UP. That number DOES include the summer admits though - however the admission requirements for summer are only slightly lower than for fall.
To the OP - Do not be confused that because Penn State is “in the middle of nowhere” that there is nothing to do. Far from it. It is the ultimate college town and is listed on every “best college town” list. With the concerts at the Bryce Jordan center and the football games, hockey games and other athletics there is tons to do. Plus over 900 clubs on campus and activities for just about every interest. My daughter has also gone for weekends to NYC, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh etc…very easily. Penn State’s job fair and alumni network can’t be beat in my opinion. I’ve been to Miami. You go to college to get a degree. An Architectural degree from Penn State is highly valuable. You probably can’t go wrong either way at either school in the major - but as for college town, Happy Valley beats Miami.
If I had a dime for every time someone said to me “Penn State is in the middle of nowhere”, I would be rich. The funny thing is, it’s always said by people who have not visited the campus or State College. I live 35 minutes outside of Philadelphia, and I feel like there is so much more to do in State College. There is so much shopping, restaurants, sporting events, skiing, football games, tons of clubs to join, etc. I love visiting as often as I can. My son couldn’t wait to go back during the winter break because he was so bored at home.
Have you gotten accepted yet to both programs? Miami hasn’t released EA decisions yet. IMO do not make your decision on these two schools based on perceived prestige or how selective the acceptance rate is. They are both around the same level in term of overall academic reputation, prestige and rankings -not enough to make a difference one way or the other. Pick the school that you feel is the best fit personally and professionally/academically. Now that you’ve done your research on paper, you need to personally visit each school–go to the career center and try to get objective stats in graduation rates and internships and job opportunities placement specifically for the architecture students. Also call admissons and/or the chair of the architecture department or perhaps a faculty advisor in the architect department and ask if they can put you in touch with a current architecture student at the school so you can ask questions and learn and gain insight into their experience. Also tour the grounds and look at the other students and soak in the vibe and atmosphere of each campus and the surrounding environs. Doing all this will help you know which school is best for you. And I think you will be able to make your decision easier.
Thanks, for the advice guys!
Coming in real late with opinion. D2 was a BArch grad from PSU in 2015. She’s presently an architect in Wash DC. I happen to be a U of M student from the dark ages. My friends who were arch majors back then were always finishing off projects at the last minute. If it’s at all comparable many years later - the PSU Stuckeman School of Arch is way more professional. BTW PSU Arch includes visits to Rome Italy (entire semester) NYC, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Washington DC, and others. Very comprehensive program.