<p>I just posted this on the Maryland board but I'm curious to see it from both sides. I'm extremely torn between the two schools =(</p>
<p>If anyone could grace me with their knowledge or some pro's and con's for each, I would appreciate it lots! Or any opinions in general. I'm undecided at the moment- but considering something bio related, or maybe even graphic design. it's up in the air. I just want to know what makes each school special and what the pro's are/how they compare. PSU is actually ranked higher on US news, while I always thought UMD would be</p>
<p>i have the same problem. well im torn between penn state, UMD, and university of dayton. but the first 2 are definately my top, and im going to have such a problem choosing if i get into UMD.</p>
<p>I just found out earlier today as well, decisions weren't supposed to be out for another couple of weeks so I was suprised. though i'm happy i'm very stressed out about it</p>
<p>I got into both too, but I got into Smeal for PSU while I got into Letters & Science (for undecided people when I did not apply undecided, so mad confused) for UMD. I'm still waiting from Illinois Urbana Champaign. But, I think I would go to PSU instead of UMD.</p>
<p>i never actually visited penn state so this might sound biased, but i would choose UMD over PS because of the location. i know penn state has farmland outside the university and UMD is just a subway ride to DC. you'd find better jobs and internships. you get the city feel without having to live in the hustle and bustle of the city. the opportunities are almost endless living next to the capital. also most people seem to have a great social life hanging out in DC, going to museums, really good clubs, and just in general exploring. i would know cus i live in the metropolitan area. when people told me about penn state, i was kind of turned off with the whole farmland part of it because you'd be with just people your own age but in the college park area you can be around different types of people. hope this helps.</p>
<p>dustbunny, I think you may want to reserve your feelings on Penn State UP's campus until you actually visit. Also, your description of the difference of job and internship opportunities is not accurate. I have been to both schools. Summer271, I wouldn't listen to someone that gives their opinion on the atmosphere of somewhere they have never been. It has a very blind leading the blind feel to it.</p>
<p>okay, i'm not trying to cause something, i already provided a disclaimer that my comment might sound biased so you guys dont have to act so defensive. i'm speaking not just by observation but by what people have told me about penn state when they visited, and i have friends even regretting going to penn state because of the location otherwise PS was one of my top choices too. this isnt a competition over which school is better. i'm not trying to offend anyone i'm just giving my opinion.</p>
<p>i've visted both schools and i can understand where dustbunny is coming from. if you're a more city life person, UMD is definately the better choice, also with the current economy it's probably safer to live near the nation's capital and work for the government and have a stable job. i know my friend chose penn state over umd because she liked the quiet, farmy atmosphere and the people there. i dont think dustbunny was necessarily trying to say umd is better because they have better job placement, it's just a lot easier to get a job/internship for the government and private instutions in dc.</p>
<p>I think it all depends on the student. I have one at PSU and one in Cambridge, MA. Both seem to find plenty to keep them busy in and around campus. The one in Cambridge probably gets into Boston a couple times a year, usually for some sort of celebratory dinner with friends. He went to see BSO once, but hasn't been "going to museums, really good clubs, and just in general exploring."</p>