<p>I am a biology major and intend to fulfill pre-med requirements. I know both schools are huge, may have large intro classes, and are fanatic about football. Now, which one would provide me with the best milieu and academics? I know texas is great for business, engineering, and a variety of other majors. Penn state has a more suburban feel but I haven't really heard of any specific major or graduate schools that is nationally known. After glancing at the usnews rank for business schools, medical, and chemistry, UT always appears ranked at least 30th whereas penn state seldom shows up. I am from NJ, so psu is more convinient. Which would you say is the best school for my plans? I am am highly academic focused person and hate football, so the party/game scene is irrelevant to me.</p>
<p>I think the education you receive at Penn State is very good. The standards of admission for a freshman are high.Yes, there are some classes which may be catagoized as easy, some huge lecture halls, some classes you have difficulty getting into and you need, and others stifling with competition but overall the major classes you take are challenging, difficult and carry weight with other universities. I don't really think Penn State Univ. has a suburban feel at all. Old oaks, immaculate and beautiful buildings, chimes, young people everywhere, town close and easy to walk to,crowded homecoming and football, any sports team you care to watch or a pick up soccer game any time, etc. It has a specific feel to the place.........and there are hoards of people but you can define yourself. The academic level is high and if per chace you have dinner at the Nitanny Lion Inn, will encounter academics from all over and very happy to be there at Penn State. You can be alone at Penn State or part of a crowd and you do grow up and become an adult there. I have seen this, kids who have made the transformation into adult. And yet the place is always Happy Valley with most people young and in their prime. The thing about Penn State Univ. park is it becomes larger than yourself. You become part of it and that isn't necessarily a bad thing.</p>
<p>In answer to you question in my opinion the academics are fine, but because of the great numbers it is competitive.You should look at the placement statistics for graduates in your intended major.</p>
<p>For my sons one went to Penn State another to a sm. private college. My son at Penn State knew exactly what he wanted so it works for him. He also wanted to be a part of something greater than just himself, and Penn State Univ. Park is that. My other son at a smaller college is receiving much more individualized attention. There are less students so more time for him to interact with the profs and he is receiving more opportunity.He is happy there too.</p>
<p>Thanks backhand, I agree that UP is probably a better environmnet than UT, but won't I have more opportunities in a large capital? Can anyone comment wether the academics at both schools is comparable?</p>
<p>UP is University of Pennsylvania and PSU is Pennsylvania State University. Different schools. </p>
<p>I think what you are talking about is grant money so you can pursue research as an upperclassman? My son is a biology major at a small private college and they receive quite a bit of research money. As a freshman and honors college student he has already the opportunity for a paying job, on his own schedule, helping the bio prof of his choice with lab research. Apparently, all the profs are doing something. I don't know if son would have this opportunity as a fresh at PSU. Maybe. Son hasn't actually starting doing this yet as he is also involved with varsity sports and a number of other club activities. His friend a junior, stayed on campus all last summer doing research for a prof. They want the kids to try work in their field early so they see if they really like it.</p>
<p>If you cannot find online the university's placement statistics for the past graduating class in your intended major, just call the department chair's office and ask for them. They have this info., it's important to them, and a secretary can give it to you.</p>
<p>if the link doesn't work go To schreyers honors college</p>
<p>even if you don't get in honors you can always attempt to get in the classes. ALso you can apply for honors as a junior. Amazing amount of research monies
available and opportunities.</p>
<p>The UT campus, Austin and the Hill Country are absolutely beautiful. The problem is that with the top 10% law, it is getting very difficult for oos candidates to gain admissions at UT-Austin. Last year 76% of the freshman class at UT-Austin were instate top ten percenters. The remaining places went to highly qualified instate candidates who were close to top ten percent, highly qualified instate candidates from privates that don't rank and oos candidates.</p>
<p>But, go for it. A degree from UT-Austin will definitely be taken seriously by med schools. There are several Honors programs there as well. Plan II and Dean's Scholars (Natural Sciences) are two. UT-Austin also offers a BS in Psychology-PreMed Track in the College of Liberal Arts which makes a candidate eligible for COLA Honors Program as well.</p>
<p>"I think you would be more comfortable at PSU. UT would be a big adjustment and you would be in a small minority."</p>
<p>I don't think I understand this statement at all. Given the size and diversity of the State of Texas, being in a school with a bunch of Texans would be no different than being at any other university. And given that both schools are huge, what would make one more 'comfortable' than the other?</p>
<p>UT Austin is such a diverse and rich environment that everyone can find a home. That said, it's huge and can be hard to find your niche. Don't worry about the weather - the months that you will be in school are mild. Austin is a hub for music of all types and a liberal bastion within Texas.<br>
Worry instead about what's best for your ultimate goals - where will you stand out for med school applications?</p>
<p>I'm curious: you're looking at two big state universities, neither of which are particularly excellent. Why not go to one of the many state universities in NJ and save some money?</p>
<p>It IS unreasonably hot in Texas... from May to September. So, for a couple of months of the school year, you'll find yourself pretty warm. But nothing beats a cool, clear, crisp 60 degree day....in January. :) Those beautiful winter months make the summer months worth it.</p>
<p>(Truthfully, the entire state of Texas is air conditioned and the thermostat alway seems to be stuck on 65...so you'll most like find yourself shivering in the hot months as well.)</p>
<p>AND, I take exception to dmd's comment. UT-Austin is an excellent school....very strong programs for a pre-med. It's just big, big, big. Fortunately, they have many highly regarded honors programs available to freshman and upperclassmen, which create small communities within the larger community.</p>
<p>I agree it is unreasonably hot in Texas. No one should live here. The west and east coasts are much nicer. We have tornadoes and rattle snakes too.</p>
<p>Ldmom, have they published that 76% yet or are you still relying on what somebody somewhere told you?</p>
<p>^...this is per my conversation (one of several) with UT Admissions (officer/counselor). I'm not sure if the 2006 data is yet updated on the website though. In my first conversation in late Spring, I was told they were seriously concerned they would top 80% this year. In a later conversation, based on preliminary numbers they told me they were looking at 76%. </p>
<p>I was also told that UT-Austin desperately wants caps because they do feel they will eventually fill the class with top ten percenters.</p>
<p>Btw....I do think the 76% has been published somewhere. I'm going to do some googling to see if I can find it. I had stacks and stacks of top ten percent related data (potential voter project) which I have since filed away. But I remember seeing a fairly recent article somewhere. I'll post a link if I can track it down.</p>
<p>The % of top-10% admits last year was 71%, up from 69%. The % of top-10% admits over the last 4 years has been 70, 66, 69, 71. So there is nothing to get all in-a-twist about at all.</p>
<p>^Yep...just found that same link. That is the ENROLLED percentage though...not accepted. For instance, about 15 in my d's graduating class were auto-admits who were accepted as required by the law, but chose other schools. </p>
<p>I'll give Admissions a call this a.m. and find out what the ACCEPTED rate for auto admits was this year. 71% enrolled suggests perhaps higher than 76% accepted. :-) I'd really be interested to know how it all shook out this year.</p>
<p>Btw...I don't think any highly qualified nontop should be worried in the next couple of years. But the future for our flagships under this law is very uncertain. However, I don't want to get in yet ANOTHER debate with you about the merits of the law. I am firm in my belief that it diminishes the credibility of school when they are required to create a freshman class with one, and only one, parameter of excellence.</p>