<p>My son is trying to decide between UD Honors Program, UMd and Syracuse (dual program of Newhouse Communications and Arts and Science). He also is considering UConn, but the first three are his top choices. He is not sure of a major, although he toys with something in the area of communication. At times, he has said he wants to go south, but the dual program at Syracuse is very enticing. I believe he leans towards Delaware and Syracuse because of size, but he has not ruled out Maryland. He does want to be in a school with good academics, wants school spirit, and is not a big partier.</p>
<p>If anyone could help with pros, cons or any other considerations/advice, it would be appreciated. Also, I would really like to hear more about the Honors Program at Delaware. This is my second son going through the process and I remember how hard decision time was the first go-around.</p>
<p>Frankly, I don’t think that any of the schools is a stand out reputation wise.</p>
<p>My advice, state schools are having severe budget cuts and program cutbacks particularly in Maryland as a result of our lousy govenor’s policies of tuition freezes. If the cost is somewhat close, give or take a few thousand, I would pick Syracuse. I would also pick Syracuse if money is no object. </p>
<p>If , however, money is tight for you and there is at least an $8000 per year differential between tuition at Maryland and Syracuse then I might pick Maryland.</p>
<p>I, personallly, would firget about Delaware absent some amazing scholarship.</p>
<p>Newhouse at Syracuse is one of the top journalism programs in the country.</p>
<p>S is interested in journalism, and is deciding between Delaware and UConn and perhaps (no decision yet) Syracuse, so I’m very interested in this as well.</p>
<p>taxguy: while Northwestern’s program in Medill is top notch, their School of Communications is primarily geared towards film and TV and, therefore, would be compared to NYU-Tisch or USC-School of Cinema Studies…and Columbia’s program is a graduate journalism program so doesn’t fit the bill…</p>
<p>top 3 for overall communications are considered to be USC-Annenberg, Newhouse and Medill…fwiw…and UCLA and a few others come real close…film/TV: different story…pure journalism, also different story…with UMissouri getting very strong acclaim…</p>
<p>to the OP: this decision is a $$ one; UMD is terrific being right near DC for internships in the political journalism field; Newhouse draws companies to recruit from all areas of communication (advertising, PR, TRF, journalism etc…)…really depends on field of interest and…$$$</p>
<p>I’d say Syracuse as well; Newhouse is the standout academically. But if your family can’t swing the cost, there’s no sense in standing around on the train tracks after the warning whistle blows. UMD vs. UDel is a common and difficult choice… UDel is in a better financial position, I think, but access to DC can be really useful for communications. As you said in the OP, UMD is also significantly larger in population and campus size.</p>