<p>Have to decide in the next couple of weeks and I keep going back and forth. If all things are pretty equal after financial awards, I will have a tough time choosing. I like the Nova campus life better I think but it would be nice to be in the Honors program at Delaware and possibly get more of a priority with research and internship opportunities. Anyone have any experience or knowledge to share?</p>
<p>Check out the housing situation at Villanova. As of last year, if a student had not accepted an offer of admission before April, they got a triple room.</p>
<p>Both are great schools, however, if you like diversity, U. Del is preferable. Some students at Villanova are not happy with the number of required classes that everyone has to take.</p>
<p>Also, some students like have a downtown right next to the campus at U. Del. vs. there is not much within an easy walking distance from Villanova. If you like to do things in Phila., then Villanova is much more conveniently located.</p>
<p>University of Delaware is diverse in what way? It is about 80% caucasion and has been described by several students I know who attend as being a little “Stepford Wives.” However, it is a great school.</p>
<p>charlieschm is right, compared to Nova, UDel is more diverse. I am also very interested in internships and was wondering which school would give me more options.</p>
<p>did you apply to Drexel? I think Drexel would be best for internships.</p>
<p>Do you already have your decision from U Del? I thought they had not notified yet. Are you in-state?</p>
<p>I think you have until May 1 to make your decision, so that gives you almost 2 months to research this. I would suggest calling the engineering depts at each school and ask your questions about internships directly. They should be able to tell you what types of internships are generally available to students.Also- try to attend an accepted student day for engineering students, where you may be able to find out more specifics.</p>
<p>Villanova is a catholic school and I believe that a majority of students are Catholic. </p>
<p>As to general location and things to do, Villanova definitely has the edge on U Del. There is tons to do on the Main Line (though it would be helpful to have a car) plus you can train into Center City. U Del has a small Main St and there is a nearby shopping mall that you can get to by city bus, but I think that is about it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input @pamom59 
I haven’t applied to Drexel. I have been to both campuses for engineering tours and they both tell you the same thing: “internships and research opportunities are easy to come by…” I have my doubts as to how fairly they are doled out. I’m hoping the merit/need aid will help me to decide. I am OOS and have not been notified yet from UDel but I did receive a “you are being considered for a scholarship” letter a couple of weeks ago. From what I can see, my stats will most likely place me in the Honors program which means better housing so that’s a big plus for UDel.</p>
<p>Also to get the best housing at Nova, I would have to submit by deposit in the next few weeks.</p>
<p>Both schools have top-rated Engineering Programs. UD has a particularly well known chemical engineering program. You really can’t go wrong with either program as long as you apply yourself. Both schools have very active “social activities” depending on your interests. UD is a major Engineering Research University offering eight PhD degrees in engineering sub-specialties. Research activities are extensive as a result of this, and opprtunites for undergraduates to become involved are encouraged and very diverse. </p>
<p>Just FYI Honor Program students at UD have for a number of years have been housed together in the Russell Dorms. They are older buildings but have fairly recently been renovated so are nice overall. They are mostly relatively small doubles (roughly 8’ by 12’ per student spacewise) with some singles. The rooms share communal single sex bathrooms/showers located at the end of each wing. The newer dorms (two rooms share a single bathroom) at UD are larger but do not house Honor Program students. Still the rooms in Russell are better than a triple somewhere else.</p>
<p>When My D was at UD (Nursing major) she did find that honors courses did offer expanded opportunies (as far as exposure to additional clinical sites/activities was concerned) as compared to regular courses (but also required more work-just so you know). I can’t speak for engineering but I suspect the same thing would probably hold true. This would therefore probably expand your opportunities for involvement in internship/externship programs. </p>
<p>Hope this info is helpful. Best of luck in making your decision. Many engineering applicants would be envious of your dilemma.</p>
<p>Thank you so much Mwallenmd for all of this great information. I am so torn. I am not at all interested in the Greek life or partying so I’m wondering would that make me an outcast at UDel? I appreciate all of your assistance Both are 2.5 hrs from my home and have pluses and minuses. I am wondering if studying at UDel for undergrad would help me get into their graduate or Phd program. Even if I go to Nova I would likely want to attend UDel for my graduate work since Nova doesn’t have a Phd program.</p>
<p>From what my D has told me (she had several HS friends who went to Villanova) the amount of “partying” going on at both schools was very similar. However, both schools have a large number of other activities/organizations that are available to students who have other interests. 80% of the students at UD are not involved with Greek Organizations. However, UD does have one special interest sorority, Alpha Omega Epsilon, for female engineering students which might be of interest to you. </p>
<p>The decision to choose between two excellent programs is always very difficult. One thing that seemed to sway my D towards UD (she also was considering Nova and several other schools) was that on her several visits to UD prior to deciding she perceived a sense of elan (not snobbery-more like a goal achievement orientation) that seemed to permeate the campus and student body at UD that she did not sense in the same way at the other schools. This is one of those subjective things that is difficult to describe. She basically felt she “fit in” best at UD and it turned out very well for her.</p>
<p>Although there are no guarantees it would be my perspective that most Graduate Programs in most all majors would probably give some degree of preference for graduate admission to undergrads from the same school, assuimg an appropriate level of scholastic achievement. In most cases they already know the students and know what type of undergraduate education they have received. </p>
<p>Again I wish you the best in making your decision.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for all that great input. I appreciate it :)</p>
<p>Have you made a decision?</p>
<p>Yes, I’m attending Cornell.</p>
<p>congrats. ivy Bound</p>