I went to Penn State (on scholarship) many years ago and the campus itself is just a huge draw for the college experience. But that being said, I don't think it's worth it for the campus alone. Ultimately it comes down to what you want to spend and your child's major (though I am sure both schools have good programs for whatever she wants to do).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two lumbering mediocre schools.

This is not helpful nor adds to thread, actually it's pretty rude. Shame on you.

NP. Oh, stop with the “shame on you”! So tired of this ridiculous, worthless phrase.

Anonymous wrote:PSU would not be allowed. How they handled the Jerry Sandusky/football scandal reflects the moral fiber of the University. This was not that long ago. I could not in good conscious send my kid there and truly feel that DC was in a supportive, safe environment.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why PA will swing GOP in 2024.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PSU would not be allowed. How they handled the Jerry Sandusky/football scandal reflects the moral fiber of the University. This was not that long ago. I could not in good conscious send my kid there and truly feel that DC was in a supportive, safe environment.

oh please.

Eh, she’s not wrong. And there seem to be a steady stream of hazing deaths there as well.

Anonymous wrote:PSU would not be allowed. How they handled the Jerry Sandusky/football scandal reflects the moral fiber of the University. This was not that long ago. I could not in good conscious send my kid there and truly feel that DC was in a supportive, safe environment.

oh please.

PSU would not be allowed. How they handled the Jerry Sandusky/football scandal reflects the moral fiber of the University. This was not that long ago. I could not in good conscious send my kid there and truly feel that DC was in a supportive, safe environment.

Both good schools with a strong student body, good sports teams, and a good college vibe. (Assuming you're talking Penn State - State College, and not one of the satellite campuses)

If those were my kid's choice, it would probably come down to finances unless there were some really unique thing that my kid liked of one vs the other.

Anonymous wrote:Two lumbering mediocre schools.

This is not helpful nor adds to thread, actually it's pretty rude. Shame on you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids with good, but not great stats, may not get into UMD, but within my small circle of friends I've heard that they do get into Penn State.

Yes, this was common in MoCo last year.

yeah, I don't think Penn State even has the hold on central PA that it once had. It is definitely harder to get into Maryland than into Penn State. Also, Penn State continues to have a big problem with having very little diversity.

They were ranked in the USNEWS 40s before the scandal.

Recently a lot of schools dropped considerably. USNWR added a education value for dollar component and there is no getting around the fact that PSU is very expensive for a state school.

Visit both campuses and see which one she likes best. Take $$$ into consideration.

Both are fine schools - she will do fine at either one if she puts in the hard work/takes advantage of the opportunities.

Anonymous wrote:My DD got an acceptance letter for Penn State. Where does Penn state rank and how good is the school? My question is UMD versus Penn state, which one would you choose. My DD is not very sure what she wants to do, sometimes talk about interest in biology....

I always used to think it was a football team with a college, but STEM there is the real deal. A very bright, organized, high-stats friend of my son is studying biology there and has been surprised by how rigorous the courses are.

Two lumbering mediocre schools.

Anonymous wrote:OP UMD is more prestigious and the acceptance rate is less than 45% whereas it's over 75% at Penn State.

Given the higher costs of PS I think UMD is your better option.

That might be all campuses.

Pennsylvania State University--University Park admissions is more selective with an acceptance rate of 54%.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids with good, but not great stats, may not get into UMD, but within my small circle of friends I've heard that they do get into Penn State.

Yes, this was common in MoCo last year.

yeah, I don't think Penn State even has the hold on central PA that it once had. It is definitely harder to get into Maryland than into Penn State. Also, Penn State continues to have a big problem with having very little diversity.

They were ranked in the USNEWS 40s before the scandal.

OP UMD is more prestigious and the acceptance rate is less than 45% whereas it's over 75% at Penn State.

Given the higher costs of PS I think UMD is your better option.