My daughter and I are starting the college search and have scheduled tours of many of the state schools as we are trying to save her from huge debt. She is an honors student and is not one who has any interest in parties or drinking. If anyone has feedback to offer, please share. If you have suggestions on Pa. Private schools, please feel free to offer suggestions.
Check out Susquehanna, they are giving a lot of merit to top students…very nice campus and good school. Not a party school at all.
What kind of GPA and test scores does she have?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1678964-links-to-popular-threads-on-scholarships-and-lower-cost-colleges.html links to threads on big scholarships and low cost schools that may be less expensive than PA public schools (which are relatively expensive with poor financial aid for in-state students).
GPA is about a 3.5, SAT scores will be back by the end of the week. she is a junior and just took them for the first time.
My son had 3.4 w lots of AP’s and 1950 sat and Susq came down to $25k year ( from 51 sticker)
3.5 HS GPA with high SAT or ACT scores could get some large automatic merit scholarships:
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
What subjects is she interested in? Large or small school?
PA is a big state. Why limit to privates in pa? Depending on where you live there might also be choices in NJ or ?MD or OH that are closer than other things in PA.
She is interested in a medium size school , although this is one area she is flexible. Definitely does not want a large school, but small will be considered. She wants to stay w/I about 3 hours of home so NJ or Md. Schools would be an option. Her interest is in Physical Therapy with a preferred undergraduate major in Athletic Training. I know other majors , i.e. Biology and psychology are also options but at this time she wants to explore athletic training.
Check out Duquesne, they have a 5 year PT program, med sized, give merit to top students, nice self contained campus right in Pitt
University of Delaware has PT and is well attended by PA residents
If she is certain that she wants PT, look for direct entry PT programs. Being admitted to a PT program as a freshman is a lot easier than trying to get into the very competitive PT graduate school programs. Check the CAPTE website for a list of accredited PT programs (both direct entry and not - A2 in the listing signifies direct entry). Fortunately for you, PA has a fair number (6) of direct entry programs in its private colleges/universities.
There are a number of smaller private colleges that specialize in health care related programs. Many of their health care programs are much more competitive than their regular admissions. Many offer merit aid. It is nice to go to a college where you can switch to a different health care related field if you find one you like better.
For PT, I believe Misericordia U. and DeSales U. offer programs. They definitely are not party schools. York College of PA. offers many health care programs, but I don’t know about PT.
I agree with Kidz - look for direct entry from high school. It will save money and time, and avoid stress in later trying to find a grad program.
PA.'s state owned universities (PSSHE) are in the middle of a trick with their tuition. They used to charge the same tuition whether you took 12, 15 or 18 credits. Now they are switching to a per credit tuition charge. The end result is that several now cost 25% more than they did a year or two ago if you take a regular load of 15 credits. Other state owned universities may also be switching to this system.
Some of the state owned universities do have a reputation as party schools, while others do not.
PASSHE schools tend to be more commuter (often dead on weekends) and less “intellectually serious”; WCU is one of the better ones. They’re not very well-funded.
I’m not sure you should focus on PA programs - odds are high she’ll change her mind as many seniors do between the moment they apply and the moment they enroll; it’s best to include PA programs as well as others.
Check out Bryn Mawr, Susquehanna, Muhlenberg, Goucher, Moravian, Dickinson, Elmira, Chatham, Washington MD, McDaniel, Washington&Jefferson, Lycoming, Lebanon Valley, Juniata, Drew, SUNYs (especially New Paltz), Loyola Maryland. (These have various degrees of selectivity)
be aware that there’s a sort of “bonus” for geographical diversity that starts at 4+hours from home, so the 3-hour radius may not yield the best merit possibilities.
If she doesn’t want a large university, how about starting at Penn State Harrisburg or Penn State Erie, and either staying on if she really doesn’t want to or moving on to Main Campus after 2 years?
Slippery Rock has a 6 year program for doctorate in PT, with an athletic training major. Like MYOS1634 said, I don’t know how many kids stick around on the weekend.
Penn State Harrisburg just started construction on a large new student center building. They also have a first class library, and on-campus housing.
If you are eligible for PA. PHEAA grants, it may be in your best interest to stay inside Pa. for college. Many middle income families are eligible for up to $4k a year in these grants. If you go to school in other states, you will get nothing or next to nothing.
I believe the state schools that are larger and are in more interesting towns have fewer people going home on the weekends. If I went to college in Edinboro, I’d leave on the weekends, too.
Look at IUP - one of the larger state schools:
http://www.iup.edu/
Lower cost than most, and if she gets in their honors program, it’s even better.
I can’t offer much advice on PA schools, but I will agree that if you can find a direct admit program that would be a good way to go. D2 and D3 both focused on direct admits and found a school that had direct admit to both AT and PT. It really relieves the pressure of making sure you have the pre-reqs for each PT school you apply to, and you know you have a PT option. But there is nothing to prevent applications to other PT schools if you decide that you want to pursue a different school- it just gives you one sure thing.
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My daughter was a B student and we don’t qualify for financial aid. She received scholarship equalin g about 1/3-1/2 tuition cost at 3 different private school. These brought the cost to close to Penn State’s tuition. So, don’t limit yourself to just public universities, keep a few on your list, but, if she likes a private school, I say, give it a shot and see what they offer. If the school is still building up a newer program, or if your daughter is an above average applicant for that school, I think the likelihood is even greater.