So I got accepted to the college of science and engineering here and I wanted to know why should I choose this school? I heard it’s kind of a commuter school? I’m from Seattle (I also applied to UWash but it’s very hard to get in their engineering program and transferring later is not appealing to me). I am also considering paying more money for penn state because their social scene is a lot better. I don’t know if this is true though. Can any current or past students tell me if I would feel out of place here? I applied here because of the cheap out of state tuition and the good engineering program. But what else besides that? I know about the tuition increase, but it says they will only increase it by 5% for already enrolled students so I’m not too worried. Sorry if I sound mean or anything, I just want to make sure I’m making the right choice 
The 5% cap is for student CURRENTLY at UMN. You are not enrolled yet and thus are looking at the 15% per year increase. You should consider that increase and then look at the cost.
One other note: My DD1 went to UMN, we live in Chicago, and it is far from a commuter school. She had many friends who lived on-campus/off-campus who were from the TC area but rarely went home. The campus population and atmosphere is no different than UIUC, UW, UM, etc. Also the social scene is very good at UMN, especially in Dinkytown!
How do you know PSU so well considering you live in Washington?
You should definitely visit both campuses if you are able. Similar size, similar % of OOS/Int’l, very different metro areas. Choose the one which suits you best, taking into consideration that PSU is already about $31,000 for OOS tuition.
The U is so big there is always things going on. If you want to be social you can be social. My first semester at the U I had a super easy schedule and would go to parties Thursday-Saturday and then tailgate for Vikings games. These aren’t little parties either, if you join greek life or make some good friends in fraternities you can go to massive parties every weekend basically.
If you want a big school like Penn State, you’ll like the U. There is literally so much to do. There are so many opportunities and so many different types of people, especially since we are 5 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. The engineering school as fantastic.
Well, if you can handle the snow like the rain in Seattle, then you should be set weather wise. If you like a big campus, the U of MN is also for you. The party scene is ok, but if you want to be an engineering major, chances are you’ll be too busy with the huge workload to go to too many. I can’t think of more tips 
My S is a freshman and part of the OOS LLC. He says everyone on his floor is very friendly and he has made many friends - this particular LLC is in Centennial which is mostly singles (something my S preferred and and it’s worked out quite well). The culture seems to have most students living off-campus by sophomore year.
S likes to socialize but also likes quiet time to study. He has gone to some frat parties (he insists it’s not at all like the other school and that they are open to all students regardless of whether you are in the frat or not) but mainly likes to hang out at his dorm with his floor mates. Outside of the U, he has enjoyed music concerts and NBA games (for $10). The light rail runs right through campus so it’s easy to gett around. He also has friends in Bailey in St. Paul so he often takes the light rail to hang out there as well.
If you like the idea of a big 10 school in an urban environment then this is a good fit. S did not like the traditional campus layouts in smaller towns. And the engineering department is ,of course, well-regarded as are many other programs.
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This is sort of true. If he’s talking about traditional IFC fraternities (the big, “traditional ones” mostly seen on fraternity row), he’ll need to be on a predetermined invite list to get in, which is totally possible if he knows people in the house. Otherwise he could be going to the sketchier fraternities that aren’t IFC, and aren’t regulated. IFC fraternities at the U don’t throw open parties, it’s strictly against the rules. So he either is getting on the list, or going to the smaller, unregulated parties.
@Transgopher - yes, he is going with someone is joining one of the fraternities so I guess there must be a list of some sort.