I got into both UD and PSU. They are both my top choices and I’m having trouble deciding which one I want to go to. I’ve visited both a lot of times and stayed in their dorms. I’m concerned about how penn state’s dorms, bathroom, and food is, but at the same time it’s a slightly better school. Help!!!
The main difference I hear people mention between the two schools is sports. The presence of major teams and lack thereof can influence your experience. I can’t speak directly to dorms, but I did have two brothers attend Penn State and never heard any complaints. What are you specifically worried about with the dorms? Communal bathrooms? Dorms at both schools are coed, but that’s the main issue I can think people may have. As for food, I think college food, for the most part, is lackluster wherever you go. I have friends that attend both schools and they have both said it just gets boring after awhile. Hope this helps.
I’ve stayed in both dorms and I know I like delawares more and I actually really like the food there too. I feel like psu’s dorms are stuffier and the showers aren’t the best. I think I feel more comfortable at Delaware because it’s smaller and not as intimidating. But penn state’s sports and spirit is great and it’s a great school.
Is money an issue? What’s the difference in cost between the two?
Also, did you have a major in mind already?
It’s not a huge issue, but definitely something I want to keep in mind obviously with my decision.
I am going in as undecided, not sure what I want to do.
I mean, if you were going for business then Smeal definitely > Alfred Lerner
But if you’re not, then it’s kind-of a tossup. Are you taking out loans or are your parents covering it?
My parents will cover some, but I’ll also need loans. I know, I’m having a really tough time choosing!
You still haven’t said what the financial difference IS though. If it’s a huge difference in loans you’d have to take out - then that should be an important factor in your decision
Choose cheaper option because you are not decisive.
Udel: $46,000
Penn state: $50,000
^you could avoid the frozen tundra of East Halls and choose a nicer dorm if that’s what bothers you about PSU.All in all this shouldn’t be your top concerns:
Think about
1° costs*: which one will be the most expensive? What’s your parents’ budget?
2° academics: what major are you going for? If chemistry or chemical engineering, the answer wouldn’t be the same as for Materials Engineering or Supply Chain Management.
What other universities are you considering? What’s their net cost?*
(tuition, fees, room, board) - (grants, scholarships)
PSU has five dining halls plus the HUB – lots of food options, IMO. Dorms and bathrooms will vary depending on where you live.
MYOS1634, I’m going in as undecided. The two schools are in the budget range, udel is cheaper though
@sweetsenior: but surely, you have some fields that you KNOW you won’t get into… and some you may consider?
For instance, are you interested in …
Aerospace Engineering? Cybersecurity? DataScience? Landscape Architecture? Agribusiness? Sociology? Psychology? Neuroscience? Supply-Chain Management? Francophone Studies? => Penn State
Chemistry? Chemical Engineering? Political Science? Physical Therapy? Hospitality Management? Urban&Public policy? => UDel
How much is each of them? (or: how big is the difference in UDel’s favor?)
Did you get Honors College at UDel?
Would you rather attend on a large campus with 45,000 students, or on a more contained, historical campus with 26,000 students?
How important are academics - how strong a student are you?
“I’ll also need loans” How much in loans would you need to attend either of these OOS schools? Do you have any less expensive options?
I am not sure either of those schools are worth the OOS price tag. I wouldn’t worry about the dorm situation at PSU. Their dorms run on a lottery systems. Most sophomores live off campus. What is your home state?
Just saw that irks 46 vs. 50 k.
When you say ‘loans’ do you mean 5.5k federal loans… Or would your parents have to take loans for you? In that case, Wat are your other choices?
http://summersession.psu.edu/leap/housing-and-tuition-costs/
If you are accepted to DUS at PSU and do the summer start, don’t forget to add the cost of OOS tuition and housing for that to your total first year amount.
With OOS tuition at $1,300 per credit (you take 6 credits I believe), fees and housing, that could add up to $10,000
So you first year PSU COA would be $60,000 or more.
Student stats seem very similar at both schools
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=penn+state&s=all&pg=1&fv=130943+214777&cp=1&sl=214777+130943
New York