Toughest decision of my life

Colleges and Universities A-Z Penn State
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<p>Wussup everybody, this is my first post on here... read alot of others and figured that the people were very helpful, so here goes...</p>

<p>Basically, I cant make up my mind as to what type of college I want. So far, Ive been accepted into PSU Main, Temple, Hofstra, waiting on Northeastern, and I may last second apply to Drexel. Ive been accepted to or applied to the business schools at each one.</p>

<p>I have major legacy at PSU, stayed over with a friend the other day and have pretty much followed them my whole life. The day/night I spent there was alot of fun (the parties are as crazy as ppl say, haha) and I got to see parts of the campus I never saw before. I liked the town there, and the large size of the school/students. The school spirit is unmatched anywhere else, and of course the sports is awesome.</p>

<p>HOWEVER......</p>

<p>I also visited Northeastern/Temple/Drexel, and I REALLY liked the urban style campus, and being able to go to the city all the time and the internship oppurtunities that come with it. But things such as school spirit/huge sports/alumni/etc that comes with a huge school like PSU isnt there as much. </p>

<p>If PSU was in a city like Philly or Boston, I would be there in a heartbeat, but the fact that it isnt by a big city like that is the biggest thing holding me back. Dont get me wrong, I like the party scene hah, but Im not the type to go do that everyday, I would rather be able to switch it up, go to the city, go to clubs, etc. </p>

<p>I figure the academics between the schools are not THAT much different, so the biggest thing for me now is where I will want to spend the next 4 years of my life, and enjoy it the most. </p>

<p>If anybody has any experiences at any of these schools, suggests other schools, or has any advice in general,it would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the long post, props to those who actually finished reading it.</p>

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<p>I am also interested in what other people say about PSU. Let's bump this!</p>

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<p>Wow, our situations could not be any more similar. I have been accepted to PSU Main and I am waiting on Northeastern (among five others but they are lower than PSU on my ranking). It is so hard for me to decide, for the exact reasons you stated. Penn State is a better school academically (and the program for my major is better), but it is really in the middle of nowhere.</p>

<p>I made a pros and cons list and it didnt help me one bit. It's like, for everything one school lacks, the other has. I just want to pick PSU up and place it in Boston and then go there.</p>

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<p>but see the thing about penn state, is yea its in the middle of nowhere, but the campus is the life and there is so freaking much to do...between downtown, clubs, parties, everything...you'll never get bored. if you want the hustle and bustle of a city then thats different</p>

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<p>Just a note that one of the reasons that Penn State has such incredible school spirit and community is that is IS out in the middle of nowhere. Kids at city schools tend to spread out and go to the bars on weekend nights (GW or Emory for example). The kids at PSU stay on campus - even off campus is really on.<br>
So they bond and feel a part of the school. You just don't get this at a big city school. So it really depends on what you want.
Also State College is a town with lots of eateries and shops. State College Theater has good music acts, as does Bryce Jordan sometimes. Not like UConn - which has nothing really. So it's not like you're living on a farm...</p>

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<p>Yea... I feel you Belated Midnight haha... It sucks cuz one day I feel like I want to go to one place like PSU, the next Im thinking to myself, I would rather just go somewhere else like Northeastern and be in a city, startin on my own and stuff. Also, at my high school, a large amount of kids go to PSU, and although I have some great friends going there, I want to branch out and kinda do my own thing, meet new ppl. I figure there would be enough ppl there and its a big enough place that if I didnt want to constantly with them, I wouldnt have to. I just find myself going back and forth and its frustrating me haha.</p>

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<p>psatmadness's mother writing: I believe that everyone knows the answer to questions like this inside already. No matter how many lists they make or people they ask....they really already know....but they want confirmation of that decision.</p>

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<p>psatmadness's mother: I couldn't agree more! And I'm glad I'm not the only parent who thinks so. How can we help as parents though?</p>

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<p>well with my son I just listened to him. he applied to other places and even got scholarships from some...and we're from out of state so PSU is not inexpensive! Then when the letter came he ran to the computer and put on his facebook PSU '12. guess that answered the question!</p>

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<p>If 20 of your high school classmates go to PSU eack year thats only 80 kids out of 40,000+. You will have to actively seek out your HS friends to even get a glimpse of them so that whole "everybody" goes there thing just doesn't apply.</p>

<p>So Temple: not too safe off campus, fine on campus, really lousy location. I wouldn't want to be coming back to Temple from center city early in the AM. </p>

<p>Drexel: Lots of kids like it. Not much of a campus. Expensive. Lots of kids on co-op and take 5 yrs. to graduate.</p>

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<p>It's funny, my S likes PSU because of where it is! In the mountains, fresh air, no big city with the big city problems, no traffic (except football weekends). I can understand, he's been going to HS in downtown DC for the past 4 years.</p>

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<p>I understand the draw of State College, I really do. The town and the area around it are beautiful. But sometimes I feel like I just won't fit in at Penn State (it takes me a bit to be open with people, and PSU is very social), or I will be too bored. I crave city life. And I want to send in my $300 down payment, but I don't want to change my mind and then have wasted that money. In the scheme of things I know it's not all that much, but it's still good money to use.</p>

<p>How would you compare the co-op program at Northeastern to the better program for communications (media studies) at Penn State? I'd love to graduate with an offer of employment already (as many who graduate from Northestern do) but I know PSU has a better program.</p>

<p>Plus I have 80+% of my family within three hours of Boston, which is a plus for me. I'd like them nearby, but not so close as to where I'd see them all the time.</p>

<p><em>sigh</em></p>

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<p>BelatedMidnight: penn state vs. northeastern???
that's a no-brainer man, come on it has everything you could want from a college and then some!</p>

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<p>I know but I love the city and the co-op program. Like I said before, I just want to pick PSU up and drop it in Boston.</p>

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<p>If you haven't visited Penn State you should, its beautiful out there.</p>

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<p>Does PSU have internships where you go and live in a city for a period of time (similar to a co-op) in a place like, Philly/Boston/DC/LA or something? Or is it more you intern at the PSU campus and do the work there? I know they have study abroad programs, but do they have others?</p>

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<p>Very good question, MK.23. Let's bump this.</p>

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<p>I only know about business majors...
PSU has an active career planning office and many students get internships during the summer of their junior year. I know of kids with internships in NY, Philly and DC. It's unlikely that you will get an internship right in State College because there are no big companies around. There are a number of companies that come on campus to interview and they have a huge job fair each year in the fall.<br>
I do know that they push an 8 month internship (Jan - Aug) for kids who are interested. Apparently, these internships are not as competitive since fewer kids go for them. They would likely NOT be on campus or even close (you would need to leave school for that period). And they might result in a 5 year graduation unless you have lots of credits coming in.
BTW, check out the details in the Business Week rankings of UG business program. Students give high marks to the Career Office and recruiters really love Penn State (ranked # 6 I believe by recruiters).<br>
As you mentioned, there are lots of study abroad options available.</p>

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<p>Thanks Toneranger.... Kinda sucks that Its over the summer break haha, but I guess thats just something you gotta do if you want that experience.</p>

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<p>This might sound stupid, but is it possible to intern at a company during the winter and summer breaks?</p>