I’ve gotten into Penn state (university park) and Virginia tech for Mechanical Engineering. I’m a little torn between the two universities, any suggestions or recommendations?
What’s your net cost at each, do (tuition, fees, room, board) -(grants, scholarships) =
Do not deduct any loan or work study.
At Penn state it’s approximately 50k and at Virginia tech it’s approximately 45k
Are both within budget or would your parents be taking loans for you to attend?
What’s your ideal environment/major?
What do you like/dislike about both?
Compare the true entrance-to-major requirements for each school. At PSU, you can’t technically declare your major until you’ve completed the weed out courses and have between 40 and 59 credits. In addition, you need a minimum GPA of 3.2. Sounds easy enough but remember most PSU freshmen accepted into engineering probably had close to a 4.0 or more coming from high school. And only about 1/3 of students make it through the engineering program. That’s how tough it is. However, that’s also why PSU’s engineering program is so highly regarded.
Here’s a link to the entrance to major requirements: https://advising.psu.edu/entrance-major-requirements-college-engineering-2018
Maybe see how this compares to VaTech. If you are super strong in math (5 in AP Calc), you have nothing to worry about.
If you go by rankings, Va Tech’s College of Engineering seems to be at #9 vs Penn St at #20 (overall). I didn’t spend time to try to get more in depth rankings specifically for Mech E.
If you go by folks I know in the Engineering world, they are peers - though I know more in Civil than Mechanical.
Personally, I think you can easily pick the school you like better and not go wrong.