After visiting and being admitted into UIUC, which was my first choice at that time, I decided it was not for me at all. So now I am stuck with these 3 schools. I am so confused with what school to pick ugh!
Penn State: My sister goes there. I am not sure if I want to be in the same school as my sister. I love it each time I visit but I got admitted for the summer also. However, due to medical reasons, I will probably request them if I could switch to fall if I decide to enroll. I am also DUS so I have the ability to explore my interests.
Indiana University: I liked it a lot when i visited. Right now my major is psychology because I want to get into neuroscience eventually. However, my interests are always shuffling from psychology and business. I also don’t know if i want to go into neuroscience or law. I just think that since I was admitted as a pre-college major (basically undeclared) it would give me ability to explore my interests. Let us say that I am interested in business, I would be graduating from IU Kelley, however it is very difficult to meet the requirements I have heard. But Penn State’s business school is good too, however, Kelley is obviously better known. Problem with here is that I am from NY and my mom thinks its a little too far. I know it’ll be difficult in the beginning but I am sure I can adjust.
University of Delaware: Close to home. I am a psychology major there. I loved it when I visited. I know I can truly thrive there. I just don’t know if it has a good reputation compared to the other two schools.
I just don’t want to regret my decision. I just wish that this was easier! I would have chosen Penn State in a heartbeat if my sister wasn’t there. But I tend to realize that when my sister isn’t doing the same thing as me, I have the ability to do my best and make a place for myself. I know its a big school but I just don’t know if I want the same college experience as her.
@nammyohorengekyo See my comments here re choosing between Delaware & Penn State business schools
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/21235844#Comment_21235844
Delaware has a very good reputation in the Philadelphia area. Unless you are looking at an elite school like Wharton, I don’t think ranking matters as much in the next tier. Its more about personal fit and whether you’ll have access to the types of opportunities you are seeking. Also, you would likely need to pursue a graduate degree for psychology/neuroscience and getting into top graduate programs from Delaware wouldn’t be an issue if you have the grades. I have friends who went on to Wharton & Harvard (in business and law) from Delaware. It’s a very good school.
Even if you stick to Psychology, IU is really good in the field. You could always minor in business which would look really good and open you up to great jobs. Kelley is crazy good and you would be in the best hands for a business education. If you are naturally smart and work hard, you can get in. Obviously it’s possible to get in, around 500 students get in internally (1500 Direct Admits, plus 500 Standard Admits to make each class roughly 2000). Penn State is also good at Psych and of course not as good in business, but even in comparison to IUB it’s in the middle of nowhere. University of Delaware I know nothing about. UIUC just renamed their business school which isn’t good for recognition, so th that’s a problem. Psychology is really overshadowed in Illinois by all the other schools up in Chicago
Odds of getting into Kelley as an undeclared student are very low. Most kids are weeded out by Finite Math so unless you’re very very good at math don’t count on Kelley.
However it sounds like your main interest is psychology.
Explore the majors. Are there different tracks that match your interests? Can you minor in neuroscience? Cognitive science?
An area that overlaps between business and psych is organizational psychology - is that available as a minor?
Finally, what about net costs? Are they all within your parents’budget?
Did you get into the Honors college at any of them?
Btw, Penn State is gigantic. The odds of your seeing your sister are minuscule - you’ll have to make an appointment!