<p>Sorry for posting on the admissions board, this is kind of considered admissions, though, and I know everyone that posts on this board is well informed.</p>
<p>I've been accepted already to Penn State and will find out at the end of this week whether or not I got into Villanova. </p>
<p>I plan to double major in International Relations and Political Science. I'm wondering, if I do get into Villanova, which would be a better choice... here's what I'm looking for in a school:</p>
<p>Excellence in academics (obviously)
Good social opportunities (aka I want to go out on weekends)
Good post-graduate opportunities
Strong study-abroad programs
Internships & strong networking</p>
<p>I hate to be pushy but someone try to outline the pros and cons of both? Or like give me a comparison?</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about Villanova, but Penn State is at the top of a lot of good lists. They’re high in post-grad recruitment, they’re a great academic school (#1 in the Big 10), and the party scene is out of this freakin’ world. You’ll definitely be happy there.</p>
<p>Costs aside, Villanova. And to the above poster, PSU is NOT #1 in academics in the Big 10. Northwestern and Michigan are clearly better academically than PSU. And no I’m not biased; I’ve been accepted into Penn State and live in Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>Hi Cantonaccio, I’m going to assume you were accepted to University Park. Starting at a satellite campus would be another animal altogether. Here’s some pros and cons for you:</p>
<p>Villanova Pros:
Academics (superior to Penn State imo)
Location on Main Line: lots of other colleges, easy train access to Philadelphia, “Lancaster Crawl”
Basketball</p>
<p>Cons
High cost
Not well known nationally
Have to take a lot of core requirements</p>
<p>Penn State
Great academics esp for a state school
Happy Valley, lots going on on campus</p>
<p>Cons
Middle of nowhere… State College a nice enough town but for me it would get old real fast
For in-staters, not as good a financial deal as one would think
The scandal: tainted or no? Jury is still out…</p>