So I’m down to 2 schools. I’m a English education major from PA and I’m not sure where I should commit!! Schreyer, I think, is more practical because I want to teach in PA, its reputation is phenomenal, and I’d be so well-advised throughout the process. But I really didn’t like how huge it was, and it totally wasn’t my social scene. Aesthetically, Richmond makes me happier. It has smaller classes and a more intimate feel; it’s more my social speed but I feel like it’s “prestige” per se comes from its business school and not so much it’s other departments and so I’d never find a job. What do I do??? If you could help me in any way, or maybe offer more info to Richmonds program or Schreyers social life (my areas of concern) that’d be amazing!! Thank you!!
I’m not from PA, so that influences my opinion, but in terms of overall prestige it is Richmond hands down. Now that’s not a reason to pick a school, but it sounds like you really do prefer Richmond. Yes, Richmond is strong in business, but also in the humanities and has a very strong internship program, along with career services
In terms of prestige, schreyers wins - it’s hugely respected as one of the top honors colleges in the country (acceptance rates below 10%). But URichmond is an elite LAC so the education there would be superb too and there’s no problem with its reputation, quite the contrary.
Have you visited both, attended classes?
Are you sure you want to teach in PA rather than VA and are there reciprocity agreements for certification?
What do you call 'not my social scene '?
Thank you so much for the response!! I don’t doubt Richmond’s “prestige” but I think it’s because when I visited Richmond they focused primarily on the business school and leadership studies; I heard nothing about education or English. If I was applying for a job, I feel like having Schreyer on my resume would look much better than Richmond, and going into education, finding a job is something that concerns me. I’m from PA, so I was hoping to teach in my own school district and live back home (my district really respects Schreyer and even just Penn State alone) but it wasn’t too great of a fit socially. By “social scene” I mean that I’m not dying to go scream all night at a football game each weekend or join a sorority, which are very big at Penn State. It’s kinda a rowdy party scene and I’m not to into really large, crazy parties like that. I’m sure that I’d find my social group and eventually be happy, but I’d be kidding myself if I didn’t realize that I wouldn’t fit in with the typical penn state student.
Do you know anything about Richmond’s teaching program? My visit didn’t tell me much about the program, and it looks like it’s only a minor. Im worried that Richmond won’t help me too much when it comes to being employed, which is a pretty large concern considering that teaching is a difficult field to find a job in lol. I’m so torn!
Like I said on another thread, I’m a sophomore at Schreyer and exactly the type of person you describe yourself as; I’m in the book club and volunteer at the local animal shelter (see new profile pic :P), had enough of football as a trumpet-player in my high school’s marching band. There are nerds and introverts and non-athletic people here, too.
BUT. I completely understand what you think about not fitting in with the average student. When I visited here during the summer before my senior year, I told my parents that everybody was TOO happy. Two of my three roommates have been party people. (Coincidentally, they were the two not in Schreyer…) And it can be super annoying when the people next door are having a dance party complete with jokey sex noises when you’re trying to do material balances homework at 11 pm.
However, there is a large number of people who go to college to party…EVERYWHERE. My boyfriend, at his tiny northeast PA LAC (four of it could fit in PSU’s freshman class), has been accosted by so many belligerent drunk people. His verging-on-alcoholic roommate last year tried to pull a water fountain out of the wall. The pipe in their communal bathroom sink keeps getting stolen this year. People suck, is my point.
Don’t ignore your feelings of fit, but realize that there will be people like you and people not like you at every college, so maybe don’t overestimate it either.
@MYOS1634 Thank you so much for the response!! I don’t doubt Richmond’s “prestige” but I think it’s because when I visited Richmond they focused primarily on the business school and leadership studies; I heard nothing about education or English. If I was applying for a job, I feel like having Schreyer on my resume would look much better than Richmond, and going into education, finding a job is something that concerns me. I’m from PA, so I was hoping to teach in my own school district and live back home (my district really respects Schreyer and even just Penn State alone) but it wasn’t too great of a fit socially. By “social scene” I mean that I’m not dying to go scream all night at a football game each weekend or join a sorority, which are very big at Penn State. It’s kinda a rowdy party scene and I’m not to into really large, crazy parties like that. I’m sure that I’d find my social group and eventually be happy, but I’d be kidding myself if I didn’t realize that I wouldn’t fit in with the typical penn state student
I think I replied in another thread of yours with ways to help you with the “fit”.
But first thing you need to do is see if VA has reciprocity agreements with PA, to see if UR’s ed program would get you certified to teach in PA.
Then, compare the requirements for English and Education at both. Look at the choices for classes, the clubs you could join, how early you do a placement, if there are volunteering activities, if you’re allowed to do research with the Education professors.
URichmond is known for its Greek scene and partying, too, just so you know :). But they do have a women’s college branch if need be - with fewer parties. And of course you have substance-free floors if you’d rather not have a loud party at midnight on your floor before an exam.