<p>I am an NJ high school senior looking to major in journalism; not yet sure if print or broadcast though I'm leaning toward the latter. I've been accepted for the Fall of 2008 at the Merrill School of Journalism at the University of Maryland at College Park and the College of Communications at Penn State (University Park campus). </p>
<p>I've visted both schools and have met with J students and professors at each, and I am impressed with both universities and their J programs. It seems that the well established Merrill School is widely reputed to be one of the best J schools in the country, at least for print (programs include print, broadcast, magazine), is a limited enrollment program with around 500 -600 undergraduates total, and is located in or near major media markets; very attractive campus, big time sports, lots of spirit, but surrounded by sketchy area and so vulnerable to on and off campus crime. </p>
<p>PSU's College of Communications was established relatively recently (became a separate college in 1985) and is supposed to be the largest communications school in the country (2500 undergrads) with tracks for print, broadcast, PR, and online), with supposedly strong connections with alum and others which can be important in terms of obtaining internships and jobs; campus is huge and sprawling, lots of spirit, big time sports, and located in the middle of nowhere but in a safe and college friendly town (State College). </p>
<p>Both universities are considered public ivies and are highly ranked public universities by US News and others, with rankings that are pretty close to one another. </p>
<p>Which school would be best and why? I need to decide before May 1st and am having a tough time. Help!! Thanks!</p>
<p>you'd probably get arguments about the "public ivies", and on this thread, you'll probably get a bit of a biased answer. However, UMCP's proximity to DC (easily accessible by metro) seems pretty hard to argue with, in terms of opportunities....</p>
<p>Arguments from whom? Astrophysicsmom, they are both ranked as "public ivies". You might want to look into that.</p>
<p>They are both great schools. I would consider them very similar. Have you visited yet? I think the feel you go on campus should play a large part, considering that they seem to be equal in most other respects.</p>
<p>Being originally from NJ (exit 8A/9), I would say UMCP. The school is very high in rankings, If I am not mistaken London Times ranked it @37 in the world and in the top 10 (I think @6) in the nation</p>
<p>UMCP has a lot of people from NJ. Bullet went to UMCP before the influx of the NJ/NY people, but UMCP takes alot of OOS from this area...mainly because NJ is ranked very high in the nation for Public.</p>
<p>I knew several people who also went to PS and loved it, but in the end of the day, if you want to go into print than why go to PS? You have a better chance of getting an internship right down the road to the Washington Post, Washington Times, Washingtonian, etc, than if you went to Penn. UMCP is so close to DC, that every major new organization has an operating office, can you say that Penn can give you this opportunity 25-30 min away from the campus. You can also go north to Baltimore. If money isn't an issue, hands down UMCP</p>
<p>You will easily meet people from your area, you are close to the action (esp. on a nat. level), the school is ranked as an ivy for journalism. The only thing that should stop you is if you feel you like Penn State Campus better.</p>
<p>I was in the same situation. Over my spring break I flew all the way from Hawaii (where I live) to visit each school on one of their designated spring open house days. After a lot of thought I decided to attend Maryland. The people seemed very open and the large ammount of diversity also played a large part in my decision. I was looking for a great school with a great journalism program and a diverse, spirited student body. In my opinion Penn State was impersonal. Hope that helps, maybe I'll see you next fall =)</p>
<p>def maryland.....psu is just too big</p>