<p>My daughter is currently trying to decide between the University of Delaware and Penn State. She likes both schools, and feels there are many pros and cons to each. She seems to like UDel more, as she would get her major of choice there whereas she would not at PSU. However, the strong school spirit and sports atmosphere at PSU deters her from rejecting there and going to UDel, which she sees as much less school spirited. Any input on the issue? And any opinions on major differences between the two schools?</p>
<p>both would be out of state (we live in central Maryland so distance is pretty much the same for both as well)
at UDel her major would be Visual Communications/Graphic Design
at Penn State it would Advertising/Public Relations
what school would be better if she were to change her major later on? I realize this is becoming more and more common</p>
<p>I know someone who went to Delaware, and she eventually transfered to PSU. She found that most of the students were from Delaware, knew each other, and it was difficult making inroads to establish friendships. That might have just been her experience, but I wanted to share.</p>
<p>She also didn’t realize that they had a winter interim session. IIRC, she would have had to pay an additional fee to take a class during that session. So she was stuck with being at home from the start of Christmas break until February. She was lonely after all her friends went back to school.</p>
<p>Both schools have an excellent reputation. PSU is much bigger. Would it be too big for her?</p>
<p>The other students I know who are at Delaware are very happy there. The students I know attending PSU love it there also.</p>
<p>re: “She found that most of the students were from Delaware…”</p>
<p>Actually, stats show 59% OOS enrollment at UDel, which is very high for a state flagship U, but can be explained by the small population of Delaware.</p>
<p>PSU - 30% OOS.</p>
<p>FWIW, I visited UDel with my DD (intended major also Com Design) and had the opportunity to sit in on the presentations given by CD students who had just completed internships. Very interesting and impressive!! Unfortunately DD ended up not applying there … not sure why. The program sounded great and they seem to have good connections for internships and post-grad employment.</p>
<p>Since both schools are OOS for you, cost would probably be similar.</p>
<p>I can see that the pros and cons for each school make it difficult to come up with a clear favorite. Maybe another visit to each school with a chance to sit in on a class within her major would help to give her some clarity.</p>
<p>ETA: I aggree that PSU might have more options if she changes her major.</p>
<p>School of comm at PSU has excellent recruiting/ alumni networking…the students we know that have graduated in the past couple of years, all have full time jobs, in their majors, within 3-6 months of graduation…</p>
<p>My impression was that a lot of them were from New Jersey. But they still might all know each other.</p>
<p>Anyone who attends a state university in another state has to be prepared for the reality that the majority of their classmates already have a substantial number of friends/acquaintances on campus. There are always other people on campus from their high schools, and some of them may be close friends. An out-of-stater is going to have a bit of a challenge making friends because the in-staters already have some friends.</p>
<p>And I’m just speculating here, but there are a lot of kids in Maryland who go to out-of-state schools either because (1) they can’t get in to the University of Maryland at College Park, which is more selective than most state schools (although not in the UVA/UNC Chapel Hill league) or because (2) the University of Maryland at College Park is not in the nicest neighborhood.</p>
<p>She got into u of Maryland college park into the arts program, and as a scholar (similar to honors) however she hates the area and does not like the idea of going to the same school as so many of her classmates. It is a very popular choice at her high school for those who can get in.
She still can’t seem to get past the large difference in the presence of sports at udel vs psu. Any input as to how much that makes a difference?</p>
<p>U. Del’s schedule is awkward. As noted above, it gives you an unusually long winter break, unless you pay extra money to take a course during that time. I imagine that schedule also could interfere with the timing of some summer jobs and internships. However, you are much closer to opportunities for internships and other job opportunities at U. De. than at Penn State, which has an isolated location. Also, State College is at a high elevation and can get a little unpleasant during the winter.</p>