<p>Ok, so the clock is ticking and I have to make my college choice. Right now, it's down to CMU or Penn State. I got large scholarships at both schools, so both are affordable (although PSU is still cheaper). I'm planning on studying engineering. I know that CMU has a better engineering program, but I have a couple concerns:</p>
<p>-I want to attend grad school, but I'm worried that the big workload at CMU would make my GPA suffer, making it harder for me to get into a good grad school. How hard is it to keep a high GPA in engineering? How high does your GPA at CMU need to be to have a good shot at a top 10 engineering grad school?</p>
<p>-I'm also a little bit worried about the social life at CMU. I mean, the other school I'm considering is Penn State-pretty hard to compete with. I'm a smart kid, but I'm not really sure if I would fit in at the environment at CMU (I like to party, I like to play sports). Are there fun things to do on the weekends? Is the super-nerdy stereotype true? How big is the party scene (if there is one at all)? How much of a factor does the 3-2 guy to girl ratio play in the dating scene?</p>
<p>I know a lot of questions, but any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>cmu hands down...</p>
<p>in regards to the first concern, a deflated gpa from CMU will still be regarded much higher than a higher gpa at penn state. all grad schools know the level of difficulty at cmu.</p>
<p>in regards to your second concern, when i visited cmu, i wont lie, there were many nerdy people. however the other half of school is much more social (usually the art students), and there you can find a flexible social life. additionally, pittsburgh is a HUGE college town with upitt practically across the street.</p>
<p>so yeah, CMU totally.</p>
<p>CMU completely blows Penn State out of the water in engineering.</p>
<p>All of my friends in my major that applied to grad school were able to get into at least two top 10 universities. As long as you keep a good GPA, you should be fine. It's not hard to get over a 3.0, since it's kinda hard to actually get below a B in most classes, and if you can get half your grades as As, then you'll be pulling a 3.5 which is good enough to get into most grad schools. Just be sure to take advantage of research as an undergrad (very easy to do at CMU) and use your summers wisely.</p>
<p>As for social life, search for my posts in this forum; I've addressed that a number of times recently where I give my take on it. (If you don't feel like it, I feel it's not a problem as all my friends that liked to go out and party every weekend, could, and those of us that liked to just hang out with friends, could. Also, sports at CMU is pretty fun since it's understood that academics comes first, so you won't get extreme pressure from coaches or whatever to blow off homeworks.)</p>
<p>3.0 at CMU > 4.0 at PSU</p>
<p>Ok, you are posting this in the CMU thread area. I WONDER what response you are going to get. Of course they are going to say that CMU is better. Maybe you should post this somewhere where people that don't all have CMU diplomas are going to give you feedback. There is obviously more than a little bias in the opinions that you are getting.</p>
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3.0 at CMU > 4.0 at PSU
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<p>I wouldn't say that. Getting a 4.0 at Penn State isn't a joke, while getting a 3.0 at CMU is pretty easy. I'd say it might be closer to a 3.75+ at CMU would be looked at the same way a ~3.9+ at PSU would.</p>
<p>I would say that OP has a lot of insecurities. One person's work load is another's cakewalk. Only you can make the decision. Your question requires that the replier must have detailed knowledge between CMU and Penn State and to have experienced both colleges in the same field of study. That is a pretty tough set of mutual conditions. </p>
<p>Opinion: In my five years in reading this forum, I have found that the students are getting more indecisive. From your concerns about dating, b/g ratio, parties, GPA's, grad school, I would guess that Penn would be a better school for you, because just the size of Penn, you will find something that will fit your needs in parties, dates, sports, etc.</p>
<p>As for Grad school. Plan on getting through undergrad school first and doing very well in undergrad with glowing recommendations. Example, and if I can brag; S graduated CMU with 3.79 gpa, dual major, engineering and HCI, worked for reknown professor for 3 years. Worked hard, played hard, no sports, no girl friend, big circle of friends. Smart. Applied to 4 top grad schools in his field, accepted at 1. Could have graduated early like RacinReaver but double major prevented such action. Once he makes a decision, he never, ever, looks back. And the decisions he makes, he owns up to them.</p>
<p>LongPrime,
All I can say is, "Woohoo!" That is great about your son. D2 will be attending CMU/CIT in the fall. It came down to CMU and Swat. It was tough but, for engineering, she decided that CMU was the place for her. Besides, her campus visit last week sealed the deal. Great college town environment/energy.</p>
<p>S best bud went to Swat. They are hooking up later in France before bud heads off to India for an internship that S recommended. His Bud will do very well as a politician.</p>
<p>Am responding because I have a very social son who attended and graduated from CMU.</p>
<p>Penn State's a different kind of animal. For those half dozen home fb games it's pretty amazing. I went to PSU-Michigan last year and it was wild even though PSU lost. In fact most schools, hundreds of them including CMU, can't compete with that. If that's important you'd probably be happier at Penn State and get a good education to boot.</p>
<p>Through luck of the draw, I guess, son landed in a pretty wild (really) freshman hall, where everyone bonded and did crazy things together as a unit (don't ask;)). Then with a few from his hall, joined fraternity and lived there 3 years. Loved it...like LongPrime S, worked hard. But played just as hard. Gf at Pitt. Lots of partying, but also weekends where he worked ALL weekend (CS/IS double major). Played all intramural sports. Spent months working on Buggy (they usually win). Went to lots of Pirates games, a few Steelers games (when Jets were in town), basically got off campus often. Did significant research, was a grad assistant (got masters)...surrounded by smart kids. Most important, has amazing job (top NYC investment bank) that might be a stretch coming out of Penn State.</p>
<p>archermom, good luck to your D! Good choice.</p>
<p>I visited CMU yesterday and really liked the campus. There were some pretty nerdy kids at the Amitted Students day, but I also met some pretty chill kids. The idea of going to PSU is gonna be hard to let go of (I've been a huge PSU football fan since I was like 5; been to plenty of home games, and a few bowl games), but I think I'm leaning towards CMU now. I think I could get a top notch education there while still having a good time.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all the responses everyone. Any more insight into life at CMU would also be appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks, 2331clk. The decision was a testimony to her passion for engineering. We're very excited. And D2? She is anxiously waiting for her CMU sweatshirt to arrive in the mail! ;)</p>