Virginia Tech or Penn-state

College Search & Selection
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Hello, I’ve been really torn deciding between Penn State and Virginia Tech. I know both colleges are extremely similar so that’s just great for deciding :slight_smile:

  • I plan to go into Biology and make my way into the premed track for both colleges before hopefully getting into med school. I am also really interested in engineering and Archaeology.
  • I am a lover of the outdoors, I like to fish and hike as much as I can. I also love snowboarding.
  • I live in PA around the Philadelphia area (so I qualify for in-state tuition at Penn State).

Penn State seems like the choice based on cost. It would cost me around $15,000 - $20,000 a year, but I would have to do an online summer session amid the Corona-Crisis, which I have no idea what classes would look like. I also love football and would enjoy watching Penn State beat some of the Big 10 teams. A lot of my friends are going there as well

But, there are so many qualities that I love about VA tech. For starters, everyone I know that has gone there has said the campus is awesome and the scenery is beautiful. I know they have a good hiking and fishing club as well as a snowboarding club. I also know football is a HUGE part of the atmosphere at VA Tech. In addition, I’ve heard the dorms are nicer, the food is better, and the weather is a whole lot less (how do I put this) awful. If I went there I would have to pay around $25,000 - $30,000 a year.

Anyways, I was really hoping to hear the experiences of some of you in either the VA Tech or Penn State medical tracks., specifically in bio. I would also like to hear the overall atmosphere of the colleges and the aspects of social life there. Also, is 10,000 that much of a difference with all that VA tech has to offer?

Sorry if this is awfully written, I am currently half-awake writing this at 4:13 Eastern Time, as Corona has seriously affected my sleep schedule.

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It sounds to me like your heart wants to go to VA Tech. IMO, 10K is not much of a difference especially if down the road you have a long, successful career. I say, follow your heart. It sounds to me like the outdoor enthusiast in you wants VT.

Someone else may disagree in that the money is significant.

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What part of the first $15-20K Is debt? If it is all covered w/ no debt, where would you get the $40,000 extra dollars? (you can’t borrow that much- somebody else has to sign for it).

Are you serious about med school, or is it one possibility? There is currently a glut of bio majors - if med school isn’t your final path, what are the other scenarios?