Hi! I really liked both PSU’s and WVU’s campus and I feel like I would fit in great at both. I’m really stuck between which one to pick. I was accepted into WVU already. Still waiting on PSU. But let’s be optimistic. GPA-3.95 SAT-1220
Penn State. Far better school from an academic perspective.
Penn State if they are both in the same cost range. PSU is more highly regarded by potential employers and in general.
Penn State would cost me around 32,000 and WVU would cost me around 23,000 due to academic scholarships.
I’m not sure it’s worth spending any mental energy on that decision until you are actually faced with it.
I think one key to such a decision is how meaningful that extra $36,000 or so will be to you and your family, @schaefer406. If you’re from a well off family and the extra cost is easily absorbed, then I say go with your gut. I do tend to agree that PSU has the stronger national reputation, academically. But if you are talking about taking out loans to afford PSU, or extra loans compared to WVU, then I definitely say WVU. For undergrad, it definitely is not worth the extra burden when you are done. To me, this hinges primarily on finances.
- See if you get into PSU before you worry about it.
- If you are in-state for one then the lower tuition in-state should also be a consideration.
- You have stated elsewhere that you are a PA resident and Penn State is “absolutely” your favorite school so it seems like you made your decision already.
Except he has already stated that WVU is the less expensive of the two, so not so easy of a decision, possibly.
^^didnt see those points…but I stand by my first comment.
Intended major?
Biology
Wait till you have both admissions and financial aid package before you worry about it. 
PSU is the better school, but don’t stress until you’re actually accepted.
I’m just worried that I won’t get into psu. I’m retaking my sats and I’m almost positive I’ll be in that 1200-1250 range since that’s what I’ve gotten on the past 2 practice ones I’ve taken this month, and my GPA is above avg compared to their middle 50% for last year, plus I checked off that I would do the summer session
What major did you put?
GPA + curriculum rigor is 2/3 of the decision, with mostly test scores making the rest, and marginally your essay and EC’s. (For Schreyer, though, test scores don’t count AT ALL, all that matters is course rigor, recommendations, essays, and resume/ECs.)
Checking Summer session helps.
But some majors (engineering, business) are harder than others (Liberal arts, ag).
A 1250 wouldn’t cut it for engineering, for instance.
For my major I put down biology. The 2/3 of the decision being on GPA and course rigor is great because I have a total of 18 honors/ap classes taken throughout my high school career (including current senior year). I also have good ECs such as national honor society with 40+ volunteer hours this past year (they specifically asked about volunteer hours on the application). I’m just afraid my current sat of 1080 will drag me down but we will see what happens, I’m hoping for the best.
Are you instate for Penn State?
What are your parents saying about how much they’ll pay each year?
Yes I am in state for Penn State. Money is not a problem for me, I’m just worried that I won’t get into penn state
Summer session costs about $8,000 extra I think, so now you’re up to $40k for PSU. Almost twice as much as WVU.
Since your major is biology I’m guessing you’re premed, so with med school on the horizon it would be better to keep undergrad costs lower.
Or you could commute to the nearest PSU branch for 2 years, and then go to main for 2 years. That might cost about $80k for four years. $20k a year.
It might be better to have smaller class sizes and more support available at a branch if you are premed, and not be in huge lecture intro science classes.