PSU Schreyers Vs. Cornell

<p>Howdy. I am just wondering if anyone had thoughts to share on the pros/cons of attending PSU Schreyers Honors College or Cornell. Both are similar in costs (with a slightly cheaper bottom line for...Cornell??? Hmm. And I am IN state. Maybe I can negotiate?). Please post any comments on the differences between student experience at these two institutions. My interests are not quite defined yet (trending towards the science/tech stuff :p). I appreciate any and all responses.</p>

<p>Personally, I chose schreyer in your place. And I'm out of state. I'll be going there next year. Penn state just has a better feel to it. And, it definately will NOT be as cutthroat as cornell engineering. YOu will get the same degree from a nearly equal or equally prestigious university whilst not killing yourself in the process. The surrounding town is much better in my opinion as well. Hope to see ya next year.</p>

<p>I was in the same position as well, except I chose Cornell (even though it would cost me $30k+/yr). For me, it was because Cornell's engineering degree is more well regarded and that I would be in a campus with 12k similar calibur students instead of only a thousandish (?). Though its been 5 years since I've been in State College, I find there isn't really much to do off campus at either place. For what its worth, my father (the source of my info) was an engineering professor at PSU for 10 years and I grew up in State College.</p>

<p>I really liked Schreyers when I visited one of their reception things. Its really all about which you feel more comfortable at - you will get a great education at either place and if you are going on to grad school then its not going to make that big of a difference.</p>

<p>My son is deciding between Schreyer and Tufts. I got some advice on the Honors Colleges thread. My son did not apply to Cornell because he felt that the lower cost at Schreyer would outweigh anything else. I know PSU has a rep for being tight fisted, so good luck negotiating for $.
My sense is that you will get more attention at Schreyer. You will be in a small program that will give you a lot of guidance. When we visitied Cornell, the guide talked about undergrad research, (That is the hottest thing right now!) but we felt that it could still be a battle to connect with a prof. TOWERPUMPKIN, how did that go for you? At Schreyer, I think students are given more support in pursuing their interests. </p>

<p>"... I would be in a campus with 12k similar caliber students instead of a thousandish(?)."
It's a smaller group but nobody just coasts through because you can't stay in the program without maintaining a high GPA. Besides, there are plenty of non-honors kids at PSU who are great students and would be intellectually stimulating and fun to be with!</p>

<p>mkl, I also have to decide between tufts and schreyer. tufts gave me more money, and i know it is better regarded overall. However, i'm going for engineering which is an area in which I believe penn state has the advantage. what are you guys leaning towards?</p>

<p>Schreyer has the edge for my son. He prefers the close hiking, skiing opportunities to the urban offerings of Boston. He was also really impressed with how nice the kids are at PSU. He is not the stereotypical Penn State athlete-partier but felt like a lot of the Schreyer kids are similar to him and the kids are very supportive of each other, no matter where their interests lie.
He is interested in genetic research but PSU engineering is well known.
Do you have a feeling about the Tufts stereotype that the kids use Tufts as an Ivy safety, so a lot of them are disappointed?</p>

<p>actually its a first choice school for many kids... around 40% of the class is filled via ED.</p>

<p>How big are honors classes usually?</p>

<p>I don't know. It probably depends on the class.</p>

<p>i think they limit it to less than 35, though some are smaller i think...</p>

<p>cornell .</p>