<p>I have a week to decide between PSU, VT Honors, and UDel Honors. I plan on majoring in Chemical Engineering. I am in-state for PSU and it would be about 40-50 grand cheaper than VT over four years and about 12-14 grand cheaper than UDel over four years (gave me a nice scholarship). The benefit for VT and UD over PSU seems to be their Honors programs (I did not apply to the Schreyer Honors College), which would provide me with average class sizes of 20-30 students and more interaction with my professors, in addition to the various other benefits. So, my question is, is Penn State too big without being in the Honors program? I have read that the undergrad program is very impersonal with huge class sizes, it is hard to register for some courses that you need, and that you have to teach yourself for most of the classes. I have gone to a small, Catholic high school and I do not think that learning in an environment with such huge class sizes would work for me. I do realize that all three of these schools are large, state schools that are going to have bigger classes but it seems that PSU is just too big (esp compared to two Honors programs). I am going to an Accepted Students' Day this Friday at PSU but some insight on here would be awesome. Right now, VT is my favorite of the three but it may not be worth the cost when compared to a degree from PSU for so much cheaper (or UD for that matter) and I do not know if an Honors degree is really that much more valuable.</p>
<p>Mostly the intro classes are big, and you can go to office hours and get to know your professors and TAs.
If you sit in the front row of class, and you participate and you put in work, then your professors will know you better, but if you sit in the back than you might get lost.
Penn State is so well known and so good for networking PLUS its cheaper!</p>
<p>The choice is obvious then – PSU is instate, it is a good school, and you don’t get burden in debt (Remember, finances are HUGE). </p>
<p>VT is a good school., but PSU is also a very good school for engineering. In addition, yes, PSU is large, but once you get past the intro classes for your major, then classes get small and excellent, and you can learn a lot from professors. </p>
<p>The Honors tag at UDel and VT is very nice, but when you have the option of PSU, a great school in-state that doesn’t overburden you with finances, and very good in engineering, then I’d say choose PSU. Plus, you can always apply to the PSU Honors program as a sophomore or junior in college … If you truly want the experience of Honors, you won’t be denied it if you work hard your freshman year at PSU.</p>
<p>Ultimately, though, it is your choice. You’ll be happy wherever you end up. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>That is a lot of money. For Chemical Engineering, your options are fantastic. The Chemical Engineering professors at Penn State are very up front about PSU being a big school and that a lot of personal attention from professors is hard to get. The strength of the school is that the massive size commands huge resources and that generates a ton of opportunity for research and a large corporate presence on campus. In terms of value, PSU is a no-brainer. However, the fit will ultimately determine your happiness and could affect your success. You can shrink the University considerably if you join a club and create a community for yourself. Only you can judge your desire to adapt, persevere and ultimately thrive in the setting. You can do it. </p>
<p>Applying for Schreyer in a year will require good grades and some on-campus involvement. Is it worth 40-60K to you and your family?</p>
<p>I don’t know much about Delaware other than it has an excellent reputation in Chemical Engineering and is a much smaller option than the other schools. </p>
<p>VT is also a huge school. Not all your classes will be small honors classes.</p>
<p>Go to the Accepted Student program and see how you feel. My son had chosen UD Honors for engineering over PSU, Northeastern Honors and Pitt Honors, all with nice scholarships. But when we got to the PSU accepted student day for engineering it took him about 2 hours until he said “this is where I’m going to go”. Nothing he could define - just seemed to be a feeling he got on campus. Definitely stay for the engineering tour in the afternoon (UD never even offered us a tour of the engineering facilities) and check out the engineering living options. I am a UD alumna, and I don’t think you can go wrong with their Chem E program, but I now believe that PSU is every bit as good.</p>