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For the parents of the old "Best and worst PASSHE school?" thread.
laralei
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laralei
765 replies59 threads Member
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Replies to: For the parents of the old "Best and worst PASSHE school?" thread.
@kidzncatz My D18 finished freshman year at West Chester and is annoyed she missed the Dean's list, but Calc II apparently kicked her butt and that was with tutoring; she is definitely being challenged there. She also thought she would do a semester abroad, but she hasn't looked into it and she needs to find out the costs before we go down that road. I was willing to pay for the older two but they weren't interested. ?? Good luck to your son on the summer courses so he can transfer in August.
@bester1 From what I remember, I think you felt Bloom would be a good choice for your younger daughter, glad to see it is still under consideration. My friend's son is there and in their medical imaging program, also having a tough time, but is otherwise happy there. I also remember your older one at Cleveland State, as we looked at that w/ D18. Hope she is happy there as well.
Maybe a few from the old post will update here as well, before it disappears off the main page or gets closed.
The class that just graduated is sending many,many kids to Pitt and Duquesne. Very few to state schools. I know one that will attend Edinboro to play football. Such a shame as Clarion is a sweet deal if you ever visit. Nobody on our side of the state has ever heard of Bloomsburg University. Even though it generally rates higher than Bowling Green State University in Ohio....they all know Bowling Green yet any knowledge of Bloom U is scarce at best.
I would like to hear about West Chester and the experience from all. It is 5 hours away from us and I think it is a great school but I would prefer something closer. Worth the drive? Please let me know what yinz think? LOL.
My S had a great year at IUP, loved his classes and made several good friends, they were always busy and stayed away from the partying.
He and several of his classmates were excited about attending IUP. I don't know what others said. Some other friends are doing 2+2 with PSU branch and then main.
I was glad that it wasn't that far away and I could attend most concerts.
Did you visit with your D? Maybe if one of her friends would visit with her, she would give it a chance? What is she interested in studying?
The campus is fairly compact, a mix of building styles but overall fairly attractive. The Borough of West Chester is a lot of fun for those of legal drinking age (the bars do strictly card) but also pleasant to walk around in for younger students. Lots of parties in nearby campus houses. The police are strict about public drunkenness (have heard of several kids being cited) but seem not to bother kids if they are not being a nuisance to their neighbors. Parking can be a problem for those renting off campus houses. There are a lot of local kids so some students do go home on weekends; but I've heard of some who leave on Saturday morning to go home and work, do laundry, etc., and then they're back at 9PM Saturday night to have fun.
Philadelphia is a little over an hour away by train. The nearest station is about a 10 minute drive from campus (I think there are buses that run that route). From the Center City train station, you can take the subway to the sports complexes for the Phillies, Eagles (hard to get tickets), 76ers, Flyers, and concerts. And of course there's lots to do right in Center City, some of it free.
Education major is especially strong. A neighbor's kid is starting there in the fall for early ed. Her older brother goes to Dartmouth and I suspect parents have ability to pay quite a bit more than what WCU will cost; but it was the daughter's choice and her parents seem quite happy with it. One of D's friends just graduated after spending half a semester student teaching in the Bahamas. She has a special ed focus (not sure if that's it's own major or just her interest) and was offered jobs in at least two local districts. OTOH, S has two good friends there who are business majors and they also seem happy. It's definitely worth a visit.
In addition to Clarion, Slippery Rock and Lock Haven.
My impression is that most of the PASSHE schools can provide a good education and comfortable student experience.
And the academics will be comparable to private schools with similar selectivity.
I found nothing lacking walking around on SRU or IUP campus.
High school will soon be a distant memory and each classmate will ultimately have to attend where their family can afford to send them, or where they were accepted.
https://collegesofdistinction.com/colleges/school-search/?state=PA&access=
I also agree with @LuckyCharms913's review above. The school is large enough, but not overwhelming, and between the campus and the town there is a lot going on. The area is beautiful. The education so far seems pretty standard state-university fare -- that's not meant to be disparaging, as I am myself the happy product of several state universities -- it's just that it's early days yet, what with gen ed requirements and figuring out a major. One thing I haven't made my mind up about is the housing situation -- the school has both university-owned 'traditional' housing (i.e., 1960s cinder block rooms with communal bathrooms); and contracted 'affiliated' housing (posher, newer buildings with suite-style living, at a heftier price). D did traditional her first year, and she's switching to affiliated for her sophomore year. I'll have a better sense of whether the affiliated housing is worth the extra $ once she's into the next semester. Overall, though, D is happy there, and I'm very pleased with it as well.
@bester1 You might find this interesting for your DD. Not biology, but still nice to see improvements.
https://wcupa.edu/communications/newsroom/2019/04.25groundbreaking.aspx
The 5 hour drive doesn't seem too bad. When driving down to Bama for my son, I usually did 12 hours the first day, in 4 hour increments, so 5 hours should be a breeze!
@anachron My D18 stayed in traditional first year and will again for sophomore year, that $4000 savings was something not to pass up, IMO She will be moving out of Killinger which I think has the worst reputation, but I didn't think it was all that bad. She did admit it was weird w/ the public showers, but was glad she didn't have to clean the bathroom.......big plus in her book. Also, I believe once they leave traditional housing they can never choose it again.
There is actually a second option over traditional without going to affiliated. It is the South Campus Apartment Complex. It's about $500 more a year than the traditional style, so not too bad and definitely cheaper than affiliated. I know a lot of kids go for affiliated, but it is a nice midway option, but you are right, the housing situation is somewhat precarious.
I will also add that I have been very pleased w/ D's advising at the school. She has met w/ her advisor a few times, and has gone over classes and options. My son basically only met to have his schedule approved, although to be fair, he had a very clear flow chart, and had tested out of his gen eds, so not too many choices to make. I hope D18 can retain her present advisor for the foreseeable future.
https://www.indianagazette.com/news/passhe-seeks-million-funding-in-state-budget/article_a7d41a26-86d6-11e9-8a3c-a79be8f64273.html
In the past I have visited Bloomsburg as well. When I hear the PASSHE criticism it makes me wonder.....for B students that can't pay alot of college or elect to have little debt....these schools provide a very, very solid opportunity.
But IUP provided a great music program closer to home.
I for one don't understand the attitude that private is somehow better.
I think the students should visit and get information from the departments they are interested in.
https://www.weny.com/story/40773515/passhe-board-approves-tuition-freeze-for-2019-2020-academic-year?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_CodyCarlsonNews