I was recently accepted to both Tulane University and Penn State. I don’t have a clear-cut top school; I also applied to other Big Ten schools like UMIch, Wisco, and UMD. However, I really like Tulane and PSU and I wanted to know how their reputations compare. I was a little confused because Penn State’s acceptance rate is pretty much double Tulane’s, but they’re ranked around the same.
I’m interested in PoliSci if that changes anything.
Is one or the other significantly cheaper for you? PSU’s OOS tuition is brutal. In-state it can be a good deal – with extra money from Schreyer it was basically my cheapest option.
If your parents support you. They will pay PSU OOS tutuion
If they have $180k available to spend, sure. Otherwise it may be a concern.
Or you go to a community college first and take all your general requirements like what I’m doing 
@bodangles
@bodangles @NASA2014 Paying tuition most likely won’t be an issue. I’m OOS, but I live in the Northeast so PSU is much more convenient. Would you both choose PSU over Tulane? From the research I’ve done it seems like TU is a better school, but PSU is a 3 hour drive.
Penn state is a huge school compared to Tulane. Where do you see yourself? A college with 15,000 students or 45,000
I don’t know anything about Tulane (maybe @fallenchemist will drop by?) but I’ll second NASA’s question about environment/size and add that if you’re worried about finding Serious Students you can still apply to our honors college, Schreyer. As far as I know both schools are well-respected. Maybe it’s a region thing, too – do you want to live and work nearer to PSU or Tulane?
Poli-Sci is really good at Tulane, especially if you take an interdisciplinary approach and specialize in political-economy or international relations. I wouldn’t focus too much on the reputations. Both schools will take you to great places if you work hard. Focus in on the environment (big v. small; New Orleans or college town, etc.) and specific programs. Best of luck to you!
Thanks for the help, I didn’t want it to have to come down to these two schools but I just got deferred from my #1 (UMich).
Focus on environment. Big vs. Small, college town vs. City; weather; where you hope to work after college; etc…
Have you applied to Schreyer?
I’d pick Tulane over psu regular, but there’d be a dilemma between Schreyer and Tulane.
DO NOT make any decision for now.
There are many differences between the schools. First, be sure they are both affordable for your family. After that focus on the difference in size, location etc. between the two schools as they are significant. If you are still stuck, try to visit the two schools once more.