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Penn State or VTech? (poll)

timosyy

timosyy

Golden Member
Title & poll pretty much say it all ... I'm about to choose colleges and those are the two i'm considering that I have a reasonable chance in. Course, also considering Carnegie Mellon but chances of getting into their engineering school are pretty slim.

Penn State

#50 overall
#21 engineering (graduate school)
Average GPA : 3.53
Average SAT : 1210

Virginia Tech

#74 overall
#32 engineering (graduate school)
Average GPA : 3.61
Average SAT : 1250

.. I live in Virginia but price isn't really a concern. Penn State is easier to get into and better overall/engineering, so points in their favor on that regard. Nothing substitutes for actual experience, though, and while I've visted VTech I'll admit I havn't had the time to check out Penn State yet.

For the hell of it (and in regards to the last question in the poll), here's a quick breakdown of me.

Academics
GPA : 3.3 (yeah .. slacked off freshman and sophmore year)
SAT : 1420 (retaking oct. 9th)

Senior year classes
Adv. Orchestra (4 years running- commitment?)
AP Lit & Comp.
AP US & Comparative Govt. (two AP classes in one - one per semester)
AP Physics C
AP Computer Science
AP Calculus AB
Comparative Religion (had to take something in place of spanish...)

Clubs (for what it's worth)
Model U.N.
FBLA (Future Buisiness Leaders of America ... *shrug*)
Asian American Club (joke)

Fairly confident I can pull A's, and B+'s in all my classes ... keep in mind this is Fairfax County where the grading system is 94-100 for an A.

Thoughts? Comments? ramblings? thread derailments? fire away =p

Edit: Asian (Taiwanese)
 
You will get in to both if you try, even with the somewhat low GPA. I don't really understand the point of retaking the SAT, 1420 is solid. taking the test more than once is a waste of money imo, unless you completely tank your first attempt.

Still man, that senior year workload is ridiculous. Cut that sh1t down 😀
 
I had a similar choice. Two good schools (not the same two as you) but the main thing for me was whether to stay in state or go out of state. I decided to stay in state and my school loans are almost paid off as a result of my decision. I also got a really good job so that also made me satisfied with my decision looking back at it.

However, if you love Penn St should you visit there, you should also take that into account especially if the money isn't a big variable.
 
I live in State College and I wasn't too impressed when I visited the engineering department. The majority of incoming freshman in PSU engineering will not have taken any of the AP classes you took, so I think you'd be happier at a school where more people are at the same level as you are. I would try to get into a better school, they aren't even a whole lot more expensive if you can get financial aid.
 
VT is a better program

I have friends in both. Penn State should be both easier to get into and easier to get better grades in though...
 
Heh ... looks like this forum is as divided as my mind is right now -_-

VT is a better program? thats what I thought too ... so why is Penn State listed 10 slots above it ? and 24 slots overall ...

>_<.

How about this : suggestions for other colleges ? engineering major .. most likely computer engineering
 
Nothing really .. any stats about it ? I can't find the average GPA ..

How's the school ? =p

It's listed in the top 10 for engineering but the average SAT is in the 1100's ... ?
 
They are ranked higher because they probably get more funding and their department is bigger.

And rankings vary from system to system. If it's only a few ranks, just simply disregard it. Don't let some numbers tell you where to go. Rankings are overrated IMO.
 
expenses aren't a concern? you are going to pay way much more for out of state if you go to Penn, what is the difference, like 4X the cost, parents must be made of money.
 
Haha ... well, alright, its a concern, but my parents ok'd either one. Not exactly made of money .. we've owned 4 cars in the past 20 years or so. Then again, we live in Fairfax. *shrug*. Definately not rolling in the stuff though .. and I have two sisters as well that they're going to have to put through college.
 
PSU is awesome. VT is good too. However from what i hear NCState is the place to go for Computer Engineering and stuff like that.

As far as PSU vs VT. PSU is generally regarded as a more prestigious school (been around longer, just very well respected). VT is ver very good though so its a draw. I like PSU though (favorite college)

-Kevin
 
the engineering here is HUGE at purdue. there are a few of us PU students on this board.

it is highly regarded. good job right out of college most likely. and its a fun school to be at. 25% greek 3rd largest greek system in the U.S.

MIKE
 
Well .. Ga Tech is ranked #5 for engineering but I can't pull any numbers off princetonreview.com for it ...

Course i mean .. MIT is better than all of them =p.

The real question is : what are my chances ? (at which schools)

Edit:

Georgia Tech
Average SAT : 1336
Average GPA : 3.72

Seems like a stretch
 
I say save some money and go to VT; I personally have a butt-load of debt and know how it feels. Plus, I think I know some people there that desperately need your computer expertise. You know who I am talking about. 🙂
 
I'm from Pennsylvania and went to VT (for engineering), so I know alot of people who went to Penn State. Their core curriculums are very similar. They use alot of the same books, they have to take the same classes, the credits transfer, etc. They're also both similar in atmosphere - small college towns in the middle of nowhere, same makeup of student body, etc. You really can't go wrong with either.

If I were you, I'd go to Penn State, just to get out of Virginia. You'll probably be going to school with your whole graduating class if you go to VT. Go out and meet some new people.
 
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