Hey all, I was accepted for both Engineering programs at PSU university park and UM. I am an international student and currently live in Miami so the price for both schools will be similar. Just that the big change to PA will require some expenses.
I am interested in Energy Engineering. Problem is that Miami does not have this program and therefore I will have to study Electrical Engineering instead.
Penn State does have this specific program.
What would you do how do you recommend the engineering program in both schools?
Thank you!
These are very different environments. Visit if accepted to both before committing.
Thank you for the quick response. Sorry, I did not mention it before. I have visited PSU last month and I am currently living in Miami so I went to UM a few times already.
I loved both even though i am not a big fan of Miami since it is too much of a vacation mood city.
State College looked a little bit too slow and I did not get to understand completely the environment…
But either way, I am looking to earn the best degree. I can always move after graduating
Does anyone know about those schools?
How do you have acceptances to the two schools? Are you a transfer moving in Spring semester?
Yes, correct
currently studying in Community College and will transfer this upcoming Spring semester
Well, electrical engineering is very different from energy engineering. So, that’s one thing that would push you to PSU.
However, you’re right, if you’re used to Miami, moving to central Pennsylvania will be a shock. So that’s one point de UMiami.
Academic quality specifically in your program will be greater at PSU, but learning conditions will be much better (smaller classes, more resources) at Miami.
As far as fun, both have a lot of opportunities, so only those who would rather do nothing end up bored.
Do you know how your credits will transfer? How long will it take to graduate at each school. Engineering tends to have a lot of course sequencing requirements.
So I will complete my AA after this semester plus few other math classes (calculus 1,2,3 diff eq etc…) It will be around 66 credits that will be transferred. I just had to send them my transcript and after they accept me they have sent me confirmation that the classes will be transferred.
Both schools will take me around two years to graduate.
How big are the classes at PSU? I have heard that some private schools such as UM tends to be “easier” than state universities and maybe not so much of study attitude for students is that true?
Students in Engineering are usually very studious or they don’t last long. And both schools have party reputationsso if you want parties you’ll find them. At Miami, you have distractions in the city or Miami Beach. At Penn State, the campus is huge and there are lots of activities (free films, conferences, concerts, football/basketball game, etc). As a transfer it might be easier to find housing in town at State College, and it’s probably less expensive than Miami, unless you’re guaranteed on-campus housing at either campus (ask, as well as costs).
@bodangles can tell you more but I believe that the classes are very large.
Basically you’d study what interests you but in large lecture halls (+ smaller labs I think).
At UMiami you’d study very different from your academic goal but classes would be much smaller (25-35 students, labs with 12-18 students).