<p>My daughter is a good (not great) student who currently is undecided on a major though she is leaning towards communications (film editing). She has been admitted to a number of good SUNY Schools including Oneonta, New Paltz and Albany. She has also recently been accepted to Penn State (University Park). </p>
<p>The problem is that we live in NY so Penn State will cost double. Is it worth it? Why? </p>
<p>Any thoughts, guidance, opinions or experience would be greatly appreciated!!! </p>
<p>It all depends on the type of school experience she is looking for. Penn State is huge, much larger than the SUNY’s. Sports are really big at Penn State and so are fraternities/sororities. My close friend’s daughter started at Penn State this past Sept. and she already joined a Sorority.</p>
<p>OK. My s is at PSU (in state) and I went to a SUNY so I have a basis for comparison. </p>
<p>I would say PSU is NOT worth double the price. No way. New Paltz is a great little town, with beautiful surroundings, not too far from NYC, and the school has a good rep. I am less fond of Albany put perhaps it should be on the radar screen for those who like bigger schools. </p>
<p>I like Penn State…but as a parent…I just couldn’t see the rationale for paying double. Now if my kid really wanted to go, I would pay the cost of instate and let the pick up the rest (through loans etc). The only exception might be if there was a unique program that wasn’t available in state. I’m tough though…:)</p>
<p>I would recommend SUNY. I went to SUNY Albany years ago when it was the flagship of the system. Even today, SUNY schools provide a fine education. Too much emphasis is placed on this college or that college. My S goes to an expensive private college in Atlanta, Emory, but had he not decided on that school, he would have been just as happy at UVa, or UMd or UPitt or Penn St., etc…</p>