I am currently a freshman psychology major at Florida State, but i am interested in transferring to either Penn State University Park or Rutgers New Brunswick. I really enjoy the big state school environment of FSU, but I hate being so far away from my home in New Jersey. I’m really interested in Penn State because I hear it has a similar environment to FSU and a great psychology program, but Rutgers is much more affordable for me. I was wondering if anyone has any advice/ could tell me more about either of these schools (also any suggestions besides these two schools would be greatly appreciated)
Thanks in advance!!
Hi, I dont attend Penn State but I was supposed to. So i have visited many times, slept over, and know a lot about the school in general. I dont know much about Rutgers, I have their transfer booklet and its close to my house since I’m from NYC.
Penn State: They have alot of merit scholarships and aid offerings but since youre like me and from out of state, the school is still expensive. The University Park campus is in a semi secluded area in Pennsylvania called “State College”. All thats there is the college. Its a huge campus and it has a great atmosphere with really friendly people, The people I spoke to said it was a “work hard, party harder” type of place. Its nice to walk around and they have a bus that takes you through out the campus and other places. They are big on sports, clubs, greek life, and charity. They talk about THON excessively. The dining hall is huge and has a really wide variety, different sections have different types of food. I like the housing, has a mini fridge and microwave. The hall I stayed in had a bathroom for two rooms but I think it was for upper class men.
Im sorry I cant tell you specifics about the academics but the school has a great environment. When I was eating random students sat with me and talked to me. There are cows that wonder pass the football stadium and animals that you pass on the drive there. It just seems like a really inclusive environment and even though I got in applying as a freshman for this fall, I couldn’t afford it, Im applying to transfer for Fall of 2018. Its a happy place and they respond well to emails and phone calls.
Apply to both. See where you get in, and whether either of them are affordable for your family. Then decide.
Thanks for the advice!! I got into both of them last year and i’m doing well in college so i’m confident i’ll be able to get in again, and i also know that whatever I get Rutgers will be more affordable for me. Really my question is whether or not penn state is worth the price or if i’d be better off going to Rutgers.
^ I agree with the above. Apply to both. See with your parents what budget they have for you. Academically, Penn State is a notch above fsu and Rutgers. If you’re interested in psychology you can apply for Paterno scholars, as a pathway into Schreyer the famous honors college. If cost were no isduebir’d be my pick. But costs are always an issue.
If Rutgers is instate it’ll be much cheaper for you, like half the costs, and I wouldn’t get into debt above the federal limit for Penn State. So at the end I think you’ll have to decide based on budget.
I think you have to look at the psychology major at both schools and compare those (is it possible to sit in some clases?). Both Penn State and Rutgers also have very good Honors Colleges. As you know, Penn State has a more rural atmosphere and Rutgers is urban. That is something to consider too. I would weigh all factors: strength of major, college atmosphere, cost, etc. Of course, there is a lot to be said for graduating with very little debt. My S chose and in-state school for that very reason. He did very well as an undergrad and got accepted into a great PhD program.