<p>Trust me, in the real world nobody gives a **** about rankings, especially when comparing schools as similar as Pitt and PSU. Pitt does not have a communications school, but has an excellent communication department. Employers want to see experience. The opportunities available to you at Pitt far outweigh whatever edge PSU has in rankings.</p>
<p>I agree w/Pat. If you're going to pursue communications, you're better off in a city where you might obtain p/t work and/or internships in the field. Rankings don't mean everything; you go to the school that can best suit your goals and where you'll succeed.</p>
<p>I'm a business major at Pitt, and one of the biggest reasons I chose Pitt over other schools is because of its location. I have had invaluable experiences working in the city that I never would have been able to have at a rural school.</p>
<p>The proverbial can of worms has been opened haha. </p>
<p>Seriously though, you'll never get a very straight answer on this one. PSU probably has a little more name value because of the football team, and a stronger alumni network. That said, Pittsburgh location is about a billion times better than Penn State's. Though PSU gets some recruiters Pitt does not, if you take advantage of the opportunities to work downtown at Pitt, it evens the field. </p>
<p>Personally, I never liked PSU. I always loved Pitt. As a result, I chose Pitt.</p>
<p>Maybe you could find what companies recruited for jobs and internships last year at both of the schools. Pittsburgh will certainly have tons of job opportunities, but State College is in the middle of nowhere. I like Penn State as a college town, but neither of my kids would live in a rural place.</p>
<p>I personally love Pitt and everything a vibrant city has to offer: performing arts, professional sports, museums, shopping, restaurants, community events, etc.</p>
<p>What kind of advice do you get on the Penn State board?</p>
<p>Penn State has LOTS of recruiters come in from Philly, NYC, Baltimore and DC.<br>
The communications school at PSU is well thought of and there are many opportunities to intern locally. The school has an award winning newspaper, and has radio and tv stations.
It all boils down to what environment you want to be in for four years. PSU is not urban but it's does have a pretty vibrant college town. It doesn't feel rural when you're walking around (but the mountains do look great).
The schools are very similar in terms of ranking and opportunities. Go where it feels right for you.</p>
<p>pat - your opinion. Compared to a place like UConn which is in the middle of nowhere, with no college town - PSU has more to offer. I have lived in PA for over 20 years and through the years, have heard stories about PSU being in "middle of nowhere: with lots of comments about the cows out there in state college. This sounded familiar since I grew up in upstate NY and that's what all the NYC types would say about the small city I grew up in. Not at all true ...and infuriating really.<br>
In any case, based on what I heard, I pictured a bunch of big ugly buildings in the middle of cow fields. I was pleasantly surprised after my visit. Classic college campus look with towering elms and lots of green. Surrounded by a vibrant college town - and mountains. Golf courses, hiking, and a ski mountain all within a stones throw. Movies, restaurants, shops - all geared to students needs. Yes, it's far from a metro area - but no you don't feel like you're walking around on a farm. There's lots to do.<br>
Pat, you can argue but I think most on this board know your bias. At least I give Pitt credit where it's due. It's a fine choice...just a different one.</p>
<p>I think you missed Pat's point in his post. He never made a comment about the actual campus of PSU. I don't think anyone would argue that it's an awesome campus. What he commented on was the lack of anything outside of the university's limits. </p>
<p>State College may very well be a great "college town", but the point being made is that at Pitt, though lacking in the rankings, may be the better choice with the number of work and internship opportunities available because of the close proximity to the city. Smith Barney, the Big 4 accounting firms, PNC, The Bank of NY Mellon, National City...those are just a couple companies where students often work during the school year. No offense, but no matter how great of a college town State College is, I doubt it has any of those opportunities, outside of being a bank teller at NC or PNC.</p>
<p>No - I don't think I missed his point. The question was "does it feel rural".
IMO, it doesn't. In his opinion, it does. We have a difference. To me, it doesn't feel like a farm.<br>
Yes, if you want to stay and do you internship at your college location, Pitt is the choice. But there is certainly no lack of internships for PSU students in nearby cities like Philly, NYC, Baltimore, DC, and yes, Pitt. Lots of kids I know get to save money by living with their parents in the summer and taking advantage of great internships at Philly accounting firms and other big corporations like Boeing and Wyeth. Lots of students I know were hooked up with great opportunities in North NJ and NYC. It's really NOT a problem - unless of course - you are committed to staying put in your college environment.
Yes, if you like living in the city, go to Pitt. If you like a college town, beautiful green campus, and outdoor activities, go to PSU. I really don't see internship opportunities as a big decision point - there are plenty of opportunities in both cases.</p>
<p>I missed Pat's post on the rural feel. My mistake. </p>
<p>That said, PSU certainly does have opportunities, none of which will ever come during the school year though. The network PSU has is great, but the potential work experience you can get at Pitt, during the school year (not the summer months) is something PSU simply lacks.</p>
<p>Agreed dilo. In my experience, internships are more common during the summer so it may not be a deciding factor for some students. Would I choose Penn over Cornell due to internships? Maybe. But both will do a good job of hooking student up with summer opportunities. It all boils down to what the student wants. Always a good idea to figure out what you want and to go in with eyes wide open...</p>
<p>kyle33 This is probably a decision that is pondered by many. I am a Penn State alum , however my son just chose Pitt. For this decision to be made I had to take off my Blue and White glasses and allow him to visit and research the opportunities at each school. I am a firm backer and believer in Penn Staes academics and alumni network. That being said I have become a believer in the University of Pittsburgh also, after our many visits and opportunities to meet and greet. My son believed that all things being equal - and for all intents and purposes they are - Pitt was a better fit for him. You can't go wrong with either school for acedemics and opportunities. It has been said on here many times and it is true, visit, research and ask questions. Where you feel most comfortable is the better place for you. That being said - Love Ya Lions (My son says Hail Pitt!)</p>
<p>Wrestlersdad, thank you very much for your balanced post!</p>
<p>To the OP: One of the best training grounds for a journalist is getting involved with a vibrant campus newspaper, preferably a daily. I work in publishing, and I have been very impressed by the young people in my office who have had that type of experience. I don't know if the Pitt News is a daily or not, but if I were you I would find out. Ditto for Penn State. Yes, internships are crucial and look good on a resume, but to put together a college newspaper on deadline, day in and day out, will probably be even more important. I suggest going to the college with the better newspaper(s), and doing internships over the summer (as a previous poster has said). For instance, the Ivy League schools don't tend to offer journalism as an undergrad major, but many kids from those schools work on the newspaper and get great jobs in publishing after they graduate. Just another perspective.</p>
<p>To me, what it comes down to is: do you want a large city or small, yet buzzing, town setting? Being from NY, I personally prefer a metro area(it took my being at PSU to realize that) just for the fact that your choices of entertainment/culture/jobs will be much broader and readily available, as opposed to a small college town where fun usually revolves around sports and drinking. </p>
<p>My rationale before coming to PSU was "great, I get to leave this hectic, heterogeneous city to attend a large university with a lot of school spirit and community feel." But now I just miss experiencing the diversity and fast paced, competitive atmosphere of a major city or school like suny stony brook or nyu.</p>
<p>I was thinking about transferring to upitt for those reasons, but based on collegeboard, the school(being public) apparently doesn't award aid to international students, so that might rule it out of my list.</p>
<p>
[quote]
International Undergraduate Student Applicants - The University of Pittsburgh offers no financial aid or scholarships for international undergraduate students.
[/quote]
</p>
<ul>
<li>Yep, I guess this means upitt won't be a choice for me after all.</li>
</ul>
<p>Well, I would pick Pitt. But there are benefits to Penn State as well. It has special business programs for talented students. For example, the Sapphire program gives business students an edge in job placement. And yes, Penn State's business school probably has better academics, but it all depends on how you do. You make yourself successful. Always remember that. That is why I prefer Pitt. It is located in a city, where you can seek out internships and jobs. If you are motivated enough, you can be just as successful as any Penn State business graduate. Good luck!</p>