Don't know if I should switch colleges *sigh*

[aswedc]

Sorry, but Grove City is not all that.

On the list of US News best undergraduate engineering programs, at schools whose highest degree is a BS or MS, Gove City is #51.

Here are the PA schools which are above it:

Lafayette College (#16)
Villanova University (#13)
Swarthmore College (#10)
Bucknell University (#8)

Schools whose highest degree is a PhD are likely to have a higher degree of recognition than any who only offer a BS or MS.

On that list:

Penn State (#16)
Carnegie Mellon University (#8)
University of Pennsylvania (#28)
University of Pittsburgh (#57)

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: aswedc
Sorry, but Grove City is not all that.

On the list of US News best undergraduate engineering programs, at schools whose highest degree is a BS or MS, Gove City is #51.

Here are the PA schools which are above it:

Lafayette College (#16)
Villanova University (#13)
Swarthmore College (#10)
Bucknell University (#8)

Schools whose highest degree is a PhD are likely to have a higher degree of recognition than any who only offer a BS or MS.

On that list:

Penn State (#16)
Carnegie Mellon University (#8)
University of Pennsylvania (#28)
University of Pittsburgh (#57)

But even still, as I mentioned earlier, this school has excellent career services and help. And keep in mind that I'd be going through Behrend's engineering program if I switched, not the main campus's.

So which is better, I have no idea. Grove City is a private college that is known for being very selective and having very rigorous academics. It also has an excellent department devoted to helping people find jobs, tweak their resumes, etc. PSU, on the other hand, is more known nationally, and if it is easier, perhaps that's to my benefit so I can achieve a higher QPA. I'm not really sure which is better for my future.

I'm also not sure which is better with costs. Both schools have almost identical tuition. However, PSU accepts federal grants and loans, and GCC does not. However again, GCC would most likely give me more free money than PSU would. So I'm not sure which would be cheaper.

PSU is in Erie, but I might not find much more excitement there than here, and once I have a car and get a bit more involved, I might be satisifed here. I also have some very deep-rooted friendships at PSU, however.

And of course going to PSU requires an extra hour driving and giving up my laptop.

This is why I've been stumped about this for awhile now.

 

[hevnsnt]

Why don't you spend some of your free time developing electronics for I-Hacked.com?

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
Why don't you spend some of your free time developing electronics for I-Hacked.com?

watch it there...you do not want to become to famous

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: aswedc
Sorry, but Grove City is not all that.

On the list of US News best undergraduate engineering programs, at schools whose highest degree is a BS or MS, Gove City is #51.

Here are the PA schools which are above it:

Lafayette College (#16)
Villanova University (#13)
Swarthmore College (#10)
Bucknell University (#8)

Schools whose highest degree is a PhD are likely to have a higher degree of recognition than any who only offer a BS or MS.

On that list:

Penn State (#16)
Carnegie Mellon University (#8)
University of Pennsylvania (#28)
University of Pittsburgh (#57)

yes, we all know that us news is the be all and end all of how good a college is:roll:

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: kranky
I think you'd be making a big mistake to change based on your expressed reasons.

You know GCC is a good school with an excellent program in your major with good placement rates.

If you're going to college for social life, transfer to some beach college in FL or CA. If you want a good education that will build a solid foundation for your career, stay at GCC.

Getting wasted and laid in college was VERY important to me

Ausm

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: aswedc
Sorry, but Grove City is not all that.

On the list of US News best undergraduate engineering programs, at schools whose highest degree is a BS or MS, Gove City is #51.

Here are the PA schools which are above it:

Lafayette College (#16)
Villanova University (#13)
Swarthmore College (#10)
Bucknell University (#8)

Schools whose highest degree is a PhD are likely to have a higher degree of recognition than any who only offer a BS or MS.

On that list:

Penn State (#16)
Carnegie Mellon University (#8)
University of Pennsylvania (#28)
University of Pittsburgh (#57)

But even still, as I mentioned earlier, this school has excellent career services and help. And keep in mind that I'd be going through Behrend's engineering program if I switched, not the main campus's.

So which is better, I have no idea. Grove City is a private college that is known for being very selective and having very rigorous academics. It also has an excellent department devoted to helping people find jobs, tweak their resumes, etc. PSU, on the other hand, is more known nationally, and if it is easier, perhaps that's to my benefit so I can achieve a higher QPA. I'm not really sure which is better for my future.

I'm also not sure which is better with costs. Both schools have almost identical tuition. However, PSU accepts federal grants and loans, and GCC does not. However again, GCC would most likely give me more free money than PSU would. So I'm not sure which would be cheaper.

PSU is in Erie, but I might not find much more excitement there than here, and once I have a car and get a bit more involved, I might be satisifed here. I also have some very deep-rooted friendships at PSU, however.

And of course going to PSU requires an extra hour driving and giving up my laptop.

This is why I've been stumped about this for awhile now.

OK , lets step back for a sec....

Let's look at what you think are the pros of GCC

1.Grove City is a private college that is known for being very selective and having very rigorous academics.

-Will that help you in the long run? It could, but it depends on how you learn. Just because it is selctive and vigourous should not be a factor now as most engineering porgrams at any school is challenging and selective.

2. It also has an excellent department devoted to helping people find jobs, tweak their resumes, etc.

-Yes, but I best other schools will have just as good as a dept. Since Grove is a smaller school, yes, that would be a plus attention wise, but I am willing to bet that any college that is atleast half decent should have "an excellent department devoted to helping people find jobs, tweak their resumes, etc ". You shouldn't depend on the dept. help anyways.

3. However again, GCC would most likely give me more free money than PSU would.

-You sure about that? If PSU has federal aid and GCC doesn't, and you said your family is poor, I would re evaluate how you think GCC would give you a better aid package.

4. It's closer to home

-You cannot beat that if you like being close to home.

5. The g/f factor

-That's up to you. If you two are on goos terms, then it is a factor, if not, then it isn't.


As you can see, the first two pros are merely the image you have of the school. Have actually seen this "excellent dept" in action? or did you just read this in a brochure? That said, if you hate big schools, then why even think about PSU? Think of the red tape you will run into. It's nice that GCC is well known in your area, but will the image of the school effect you down the road? If you went to MIT, then ofcourse, but between those two schools, we are not talking about MIT. It seems to be that one of your primary concerns is the image the school will put on you in your profession. In reality, it should be the other way around. You should put a good image of your school in your profession.

The third choice is the money factor, which is huge. I suggest you apply and see what kind of package they offer you. If it's better by leaps and bounds, then it puts that question to rest.

 

[serialkiller]

Better school = better education = better future

Although college is one of the places where you will have the time of your life.... You would probably regret having not so good grades because of constant partying..... stick it out a groves and party all you want after you graduate and are making 60k+ per year...

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: archcommus

And of course going to PSU requires an extra hour driving

That could be your problem. Too many attachments to home. How often do you go home?

I had a couple people on my freshman hall who went home every or every other weekend, either for a bf/gf or some other reason and they never really made friends or did anything on campus. By the start of sophmore year they either ended up transfering or became recluses.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: serialkiller
Better school = better education = better future

ummm...that's only true for your first job.

 

[archcommus]

I appreciate the input!

Money is a big factor but it's hard to say which would be better for sure. The actual tuition of each school is within hundreds of dollars of each other, almost the same. State aid would be the same either way. However I could get federal at PSU, but not at GCC. How much would I expect a federal grant to be? But GCC gave me over $4000 this year purely based on my need, and next year my need will probably be even higher. I really can't picture PSU competing with that. So perhaps that will negate the benefit of getting a federal grant, I really have no idea.

Academics, again, I really have no idea. Last year I chose this school because I felt a state school wasn't for me. I wanted to go to best college I could get into and GCC was it. Now, with my new perspective, PSU and GCC could actually have equally good programs and equally good career services. PSU, however, might be BETTER for looking for jobs out of state. But GCC might be better for looking for jobs locally.

The girlfriend factor is a big one. I've been with her for 2.5 years now and don't intend on dropping the relationship because of college. She will be going to Duq most likely, so going to PSU puts me one hour farther from her.'

And yes, I am one of the people like those few you knew, kami. I've been going home a bunch to see her. However I've had no regrets about doing that, because I know that all my hallmates are just sitting around doing nothing all weekend.

So to sum it up, money, who knows, academics, who knows. Farther from girl, bad, giving up laptop, bad. Would I enjoy it more? Who knows.

Lots of unknowns, this is really tough.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: archcommus
I appreciate the input!

Money is a big factor but it's hard to say which would be better for sure. The actual tuition of each school is within hundreds of dollars of each other, almost the same. State aid would be the same either way. However I could get federal at PSU, but not at GCC. How much would I expect a federal grant to be? But GCC gave me over $4000 this year purely based on my need, and next year my need will probably be even higher. I really can't picture PSU competing with that. So perhaps that will negate the benefit of getting a federal grant, I really have no idea.

Academics, again, I really have no idea. Last year I chose this school because I felt a state school wasn't for me. I wanted to go to best college I could get into and GCC was it. Now, with my new perspective, PSU and GCC could actually have equally good programs and equally good career services. PSU, however, might be BETTER for looking for jobs out of state. But GCC might be better for looking for jobs locally.

The girlfriend factor is a big one. I've been with her for 2.5 years now and don't intend on dropping the relationship because of college. She will be going to Duq most likely, so going to PSU puts me one hour farther from her.'

And yes, I am one of the people like those few you knew, kami. I've been going home a bunch to see her. However I've had no regrets about doing that, because I know that all my hallmates are just sitting around doing nothing all weekend.

So to sum it up, money, who knows, academics, who knows. Farther from girl, bad, giving up laptop, bad. Would I enjoy it more? Who knows.

Lots of unknowns, this is really tough.

If you are really that in need, you oculd get a pell grant, which is easily more than $900. i am not really clear though, are you or are you not getting federal loans?

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: archcommus
I appreciate the input!

Money is a big factor but it's hard to say which would be better for sure. The actual tuition of each school is within hundreds of dollars of each other, almost the same. State aid would be the same either way. However I could get federal at PSU, but not at GCC. How much would I expect a federal grant to be? But GCC gave me over $4000 this year purely based on my need, and next year my need will probably be even higher. I really can't picture PSU competing with that. So perhaps that will negate the benefit of getting a federal grant, I really have no idea.

Academics, again, I really have no idea. Last year I chose this school because I felt a state school wasn't for me. I wanted to go to best college I could get into and GCC was it. Now, with my new perspective, PSU and GCC could actually have equally good programs and equally good career services. PSU, however, might be BETTER for looking for jobs out of state. But GCC might be better for looking for jobs locally.

The girlfriend factor is a big one. I've been with her for 2.5 years now and don't intend on dropping the relationship because of college. She will be going to Duq most likely, so going to PSU puts me one hour farther from her.'

And yes, I am one of the people like those few you knew, kami. I've been going home a bunch to see her. However I've had no regrets about doing that, because I know that all my hallmates are just sitting around doing nothing all weekend.

So to sum it up, money, who knows, academics, who knows. Farther from girl, bad, giving up laptop, bad. Would I enjoy it more? Who knows.

Lots of unknowns, this is really tough.

If you are really that in need, you oculd get a pell grant, which is easily more than $900. i am not really clear though, are you or are you not getting federal loans?

At Grove City I got no federal money and got a student loan through PNC bank. If I went to PSU I WOULD get a federal money and would try to get a subsidized federal loan.

Thinking about it, I bet academically the schools are virtually equal. They are both accredited engineering programs, I can't picture one being vastly more difficult or easy than the other. I think what this comes down to is money and enjoyment of life. Even if I stay at this school, and continue to not get federal money and have to pay the interest on my loans while in school, I could still probably get away with less than 20k in debt after my four years here. So if I like this school for other reasons the slightly higher cost than PSU might be warranted.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: archcommus
I appreciate the input!

Money is a big factor but it's hard to say which would be better for sure. The actual tuition of each school is within hundreds of dollars of each other, almost the same. State aid would be the same either way. However I could get federal at PSU, but not at GCC. How much would I expect a federal grant to be? But GCC gave me over $4000 this year purely based on my need, and next year my need will probably be even higher. I really can't picture PSU competing with that. So perhaps that will negate the benefit of getting a federal grant, I really have no idea.

Academics, again, I really have no idea. Last year I chose this school because I felt a state school wasn't for me. I wanted to go to best college I could get into and GCC was it. Now, with my new perspective, PSU and GCC could actually have equally good programs and equally good career services. PSU, however, might be BETTER for looking for jobs out of state. But GCC might be better for looking for jobs locally.

The girlfriend factor is a big one. I've been with her for 2.5 years now and don't intend on dropping the relationship because of college. She will be going to Duq most likely, so going to PSU puts me one hour farther from her.'

And yes, I am one of the people like those few you knew, kami. I've been going home a bunch to see her. However I've had no regrets about doing that, because I know that all my hallmates are just sitting around doing nothing all weekend.

So to sum it up, money, who knows, academics, who knows. Farther from girl, bad, giving up laptop, bad. Would I enjoy it more? Who knows.

Lots of unknowns, this is really tough.

If you are really that in need, you oculd get a pell grant, which is easily more than $900. i am not really clear though, are you or are you not getting federal loans?

At Grove City I got no federal money and got a student loan through PNC bank. If I went to PSU I WOULD get a federal money and would try to get a subsidized federal loan.

Thinking about it, I bet academically the schools are virtually equal. They are both accredited engineering programs, I can't picture one being vastly more difficult or easy than the other. I think what this comes down to is money and enjoyment of life. Even if I stay at this school, and continue to not get federal money and have to pay the interest on my loans while in school, I could still probably get away with less than 20k in debt after my four years here. So if I like this school for other reasons the slightly higher cost than PSU might be warranted.

Ummm...those sub, loans are no interest while in school (they are pretty easy to get). There is also a federal loan where you can not pay interest at all, but that has to be in your aid package. I think it is the Perkins Loan.

 

[archcommus]

Well, I can forget about transferring next semester. Applications are due by October 15 for spring semester, AND you have to have attempted at least 18 credit hours at another college (I have 16 this semester). So that completely rules out the possibility, right? So that means I have a lot of time to decide, because if I want to transfer I can't do it until next year.

 

[Blazin Trav]

Play more computer games in your free time, after all, you have a free laptop, so why not?

 

[QurazyQuisp]

Join some student organizations....

MSU is boring on the week days and during the day on weekends... I was really bored during my first few weeks... I joined a few clubs and now there is very little time when I'm just sitting around.... Granted, I do work 17.5 hours a week at the Cyclotron (particle accelerator) with school and homework on top of that. Then, every night on the weekends it's some sort of partying or something along those lines.... Week day nights are usually just hanging out with friends and so on...

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: archcommus
Well, I can forget about transferring next semester. Applications are due by October 15 for spring semester, AND you have to have attempted at least 18 credit hours at another college (I have 16 this semester). So that completely rules out the possibility, right? So that means I have a lot of time to decide, because if I want to transfer I can't do it until next year.

Yes, colleges do not like transferring during freshman year, especially duirng mid semester. I was under teh assumption that you were gonna chug through this whole year for now.

 

[EyeMWing]

Penn State campuses tend to be pretty lively places - Even down here at York, where we don't have residences, we still know how to have a good time. Academically, as an engineer, it would be a lateral move - though you'd probably get more recognition because your degree says "PENN STATE UNIVERSITY" instead of "Grove City College" - there is some weight to the name.

I think EE is a controlled major up at Erie, so CALL ADMISSIONS (at Erie, not University Park) and see exactly what you need to do.

Oh, and if you're looking for parties, you aren't going to find them in any great quantity anywhere in the Penn State system except at University Park. But if you're looking for just a TON of miscelleneous fun and entertainment, you shouldn't have much of a problem finding it because of how readily available University money is made to student organizations (it's literally something like 3 forms to organize a trip with student activity fund money)

 

[EyeMWing]

Oh, and I don't know about Erie, but at York, they'll BEND OVER BACKWARDS helping you get an internship/job - and are quite good at it, since PSU requires internships for several majors.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: archcommus
Well, I can forget about transferring next semester. Applications are due by October 15 for spring semester, AND you have to have attempted at least 18 credit hours at another college (I have 16 this semester). So that completely rules out the possibility, right? So that means I have a lot of time to decide, because if I want to transfer I can't do it until next year.

Yes, colleges do not like transferring during freshman year, especially duirng mid semester. I was under teh assumption that you were gonna chug through this whole year for now.

I wasn't really sure whether I'd want to do it next semester or not, but yes, now it's definite I'll stay here the rest of this school year.

I'm definitely not looking for parties, lol. I just think it'd be quite interesting having the ability to go into the city anytime you want to.

 

[TitanDiddly]

My brother is a GCC grad. Stick with it, you'll be glad you did in 20 years.

Edit: If it's activity you're looking for, there's a ton of great sites in the area if you're into rockclimbing/randomly exploring. My brother probably knows a lot more about it than I do, I'll ask him.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox
My brother is a GCC grad. Stick with it, you'll be glad you did in 20 years.

Edit: If it's activity you're looking for, there's a ton of great sites in the area if you're into rockclimbing/randomly exploring. My brother probably knows a lot more about it than I do, I'll ask him.

Yeah sounds good.

The rock quarry comes to mind.