Penn State vs. Maryland (undergrad business)

<p>If accepted to both, which would be a better undergraduate business school choice:
Smeal (Penn State) or Smith (Maryland)??</p>

<p>They're about the same. Just go to the college you like better.</p>

<p>Well, according to business week, Penn State is ranked 32 and Marlyand is ranked 36. But who cares about rankings? Especially if they are that close.</p>

<p>I would say visit both, consider which school suits your needs best and which campus you like better.</p>

<p>If its still a tie pick based on sports teams :D</p>

<p>Also, do you live in either Pennsylvania or Maryland? If you do, then pick the school where you get in state tuition.</p>

<p>No point in going to maryland if you get in state tuition at penn state.</p>

<p>ah, nj resident and wanna get out of state so no rutgers haha</p>

<p>Hmm...well, I would say to just pick the one you LIKE best.</p>

<p>i know that, but i am just looking for people biased towards one or the other to point out the pros and cons for each...</p>

<p>I was in your position 2 years ago. I had to choose between PSU and Maryland, and ended up at PSU. I chose PSU because - </p>

<p>1) I got into the sapphire program in the business school but didn't get into the scholars program at Maryland.</p>

<p>2) PSU has a MUCH BETTER campus</p>

<p>3) I was more impressed with PSU's facilities. It just seemed that PSU had more to offer.</p>

<p>4) Better food</p>

<p>5) Better dorms</p>

<p>6) Big Ten Football?</p>

<p>Even though I live in Maryland and have taught at University of Maryland, I would say that if cost is about the same, take Penn State. Why?</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Less crime at PSU. Maryland has one of the highest crimes on campus among the big schools. The area where is is located is a bit seedy and attracts a number of undesirables. This isn't true for Penn State,which has a much safer campus.</p></li>
<li><p>I tried the food at both cafeterias and agree with post number 8. The food at PSU is better.</p></li>
<li><p>Sports is difintely better at Penn State to my sadness. I really wish that Maryland football was better; but, alas, Maryland tries to get more academic players,which hurts their ability to recruit top thugs....er... players.</p></li>
<li><p>Frankly, I like the campus better at Penn State,but this is my opinion, which is very subjective.</p></li>
<li><p>Choices among majors: Although Maryland does have a fair number of majors to choose from, Penn State offers more choices.In some way, Maryland is quite limited in its majors.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>thank you taxguy and mightynick, your insight was very helpful!</p>

<p>You may want to consider the size of classes. Penn State has a very large bus. school. As far as sports is concerned,
Penn State is a one trick pony.</p>

<p>One of my favorite things about Maryland's business school is the recent addition of the Fellows programs, so business students have the opportunity to take classes and participate in activities relating to something of interest (like sports management or e-marketing) without actually majoring in it.</p>

<p>PSU might have something similar but I'm not familiar with the school.</p>

<p>Another plus for Maryland is the location-- one thing my friends at PSU complain about is the isolation from big cities. At UMD you can hop on the metro and get into Washington DC in 15 minutes.</p>

<p>I do agree with many of the negatives brought up earlier, particularly the crime (comes along with the city). I don't think that UMD's sports program is a negative. Just because we aren't winning doesn't mean that the fans stop being fans. The great athletic atmosphere is still very much around--and isn't that what REALLY matters? :P</p>

<p>PSU just won the NCAA w's volleyball championship and does well in a number of non-revenue sports. Actually M's bball is the only bad team.
I have read pretty negative things about recruiting at UM biz.</p>

<p>PSU--better overall.</p>

<p>As much as I hate the school as a whole, I'd go with PSU over Maryland. I've heard some pretty bad things about College Park. Penn State sports are better. Only big negative about PSU is the isolation and the huuuge party scene. </p>

<p>A friend of mine is in Smith (I know three people in Smith, but only talked to one about it). He doesnt like it that much. He's transferring out.</p>

<p>Ultimately, I wouldnt pick either. I'd much rather be at Indiana.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Only big negative about PSU is the isolation and the huuuge party scene.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>How is the party scene a negative?</p>

<p>Because not everyone wants a social scene ridiculously dominated by partying?</p>

<p>The only reason UM lacks a huge party scene is that everyone goes home on the weekend and there is nowhere much close to campus to party. Dead does not mean good.</p>

<p>I have best friends who goto PSU & Maryland.</p>

<p>Overall, I'd go with PSU. There's less red tape with the administration compared to UMD and my friend at PSU seems to enjoy his major a lot more than the Smith friend even though they have the same major. However, the social life at UMD is much better. Unlike PSU, you can just get on the metro and goto Adams Morgan, Georgetown or anywhere in Washington DC as well as Rockville, etc. very easily.</p>