<p>Ok so these are my two top schools I've gotten into so far. I've been deferred from UMich, and If I get in there I will be going there. However, I am happy with PSU and UMD and need your help to try and select.</p>
<p>So my goal in a career is to go into the business end of the sports or entertainment industries. I have a passion in talking about sports and movies/tv and I'd love to incorporate a career into one of those two fields whether it be as some kind of an executive, agent, or something like that.</p>
<p>Also, I was offered summer admission to the business school at penn state, but I would like to avoid school in the summer if possible: I have a job that I am passionate about that I do during the summer, and I'd also like to spend my last high school summer with my friends whether it be hanging out or traveling (we may go on a eurotrip!)
I also have a late graduation date, so starting a summer session only a few days later would be brutal.</p>
<p>So with these two schools, here are the options I've been given thus far:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Penn State
-Summer admission to the Smeal School of Business
-Fall Admission to Division of Undergrad Studies (Undecided) (transfer over to business school after sophomore year with a 3.2 GPA)
-Fall admission to School of Communications (Get education on the entertainment side of what business I want to go into)</p></li>
<li><p>University of Maryland
-Spring Admission/Freshman Connection for Letters and Sciences (Undecided Program)
-I was also waitlisted at this school. My mom called earlier today and we learned that I was pretty high up on the waitlist (top quarter). I also read that last year everyone on the waitlist was admitted. So I could most likely gain a fall admission offer here later in the season. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>So, as LeBron James said, "What should I do ?"</p>
<p>I think both schools are excellent but you may need to delve deeper into the specifics of the academic programs at each school to see which school offers the best program based on your interests. Check out the academic requirements for majors in the communications and business schools. I’m thinking that with your interests, communications may be where you really want to focus rather than business. But, perhaps it would be possible to do both, a double major?</p>
<p>I don’t know about MD, but at PSU there are specific courses you must take in order to enter a business major and you must take them by the end of your sophomore year and get a certain minimum GPA. Check out the recommended courses, and see whether taking all these business courses will give you enough time to also pursue your interest in communications. </p>
<p>You might also call up an advisor in the school of business and the school of communications at MD and PSU to find out more information about the different programs offered and also to find out whether it is possible to double major.</p>
<p>I do not think money is an issue at this point, my parents have hired a financial advisor to fill out the FAFSA and what not but my mom has not mentioned money as tipping point in our discussions.</p>
<p>*my parents have hired a financial advisor to fill out the FAFSA and what not but my mom has not mentioned money as tipping point in our discussions. *</p>
<p>This is NOT a good sign. If your parents are filling out FAFSA for these out-of-state publics then they think that they’re going to get financial aid. FAFSA only determines federal aid. federal grants are only for low income families and the amounts are LOW.</p>
<p>You need to have a conversation with your parents. Do they understand that out of state publics like Penn State and others do not give their need-based aid to help out of state students?</p>
<p>You need to ask your parents if they are willing to spend $40k per year for these schools. If they are not able to spend that much, then those schools will not likely be affordable.</p>
<p>If your parents are not able to spend $40k per year, then you need to find out how much they will pay. </p>
<p>*3.3 GPA 1930 SAT *</p>
<p>Your GPA will likely keep you from much merit consideration at various schools. Schools usually like to see a 3.5 or a 3.75 for scholarship consideration.</p>
<p>(BTW…some of these financial advisors are rather worthless when it comes to these issues. They mislead families into thinking that they will get aid at schools that are not known for giving aid to OOS students)</p>
<p>What state are you in? did you apply to your flagship U?</p>
<p>I would try to talk to people in these industries (at places where you’d like to work) and try to get a sense of what colleges their employees come from and how much connections / alumni network matter.</p>
<p>^^^ I don’t think that would matter. The two schools are quite comparable, and getting a vague overall opinion regarding the typical employability of a population of 40,000 isn’t going to be all that relevant to a single individual.</p>
<p>My impression is that the two universities are approximately equal in reputation, in size and in character. Of course, Penn State has a more isolated location, although it is in a great town. If you love outdoor sports, Penn State is preferable. If you want to be on a Metro line that provides access throughout a major metropolitan area, free museums and many other colleges, Md is preferable. I believe there is more crime near U. Md. than Penn State.</p>
<p>*my goal in a career is to go into the business end of the sports or entertainment industries. I have a passion in talking about sports and movies/tv and I’d love to incorporate a career into one of those two fields whether it be as some kind of an executive, agent, or something like that.</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>Go to Penn State then.</p>
<p>*
my parents have hired a financial advisor to fill out the FAFSA and what not </p>
<p>money is NOT an issue and is not the question I am asking in this thread. *</p>
<p>Happymom and I realize that you didn’t start this thread to deal with financial aspects…but the red flag is there…NO ONE hires a financial advisor to fill out FAFSA if money isn’t an issue. Believe me. (WHY WOULD THEY???) Your mom may not be saying that money is an issue because she may NOT understand that those OOS publics don’t give need based aid to OOS students. She may think that all they’ll have to pay is their EFC. All of this debate about which school may be better may all be for naught if your parents won’t pay $40k per year to attend either school.</p>