<p>I’m not sure how this piece might fit into your current puzzle but Smeal does offer an online master’s program in Supply Chain and Information Systems.
[Master</a> of Professional Studies in Supply Chain Management (MPS/SCM) ? Penn State Smeal College of Business](<a href=“http://www.smeal.psu.edu/mps]Master”>http://www.smeal.psu.edu/mps)</p>
<p>Good luck with this; I’m sure it’s a tough choice for her.</p>
<p>Great. Especially with your connections, it sounds like she will do just fine with a business degree.</p>
<p>I would prepare her for an absolutely massive culture shock. The coursework will be no problem for her, but socially may be a challenge as Auburn is very southern even for an SEC school.</p>
<p>lol…what kind of “massive culture shock”? She’s not going to a foreign country. Will she be shocked by friendly people? </p>
<p>I find if funny that people write these things when they wouldn’t write them if the student were doing a study abroad in another country. I guess they think going to a school like Auburn is more “massively shocking” (lol) than going to another continent.</p>
<p><<will she="" be="" shocked="" by="" friendly="" people?="">>
Gotta give that a :).</will></p>
<p>Otoh, I have a friend (former Yankee) who was shocked that faculty meetings at this public university opened with a prayer.</p>
<p>I went to school at U South Carolina and was born not far away. I’ve been to all of these schools for football games as well as more casual weekends.</p>
<p>I had the best 4 years of my life at college and absolutely adore the South and will be moving back very soon. However, pretending there’s no difference is naive. Also, I’m talking about trying to truly live in these areas, not visit and meet ‘friendly’ people. There’s an especially large gulf in the South between politeness (no one honks their horns which is just fantastic) and genuine friendship.</p>
<p>People will generally be much, much more socially conservative. Northern girls have it much more difficult acclimating to this environment than anyone else in my experience- it’s harder to break into cliques than guys and the style of dress is a good deal more conservative than everywhere else in the country. Also, their behavior in public is much more closely scrutinized, and the level of directness people up North have is often (wrongly) seen as crass or at least undiplomatic.</p>
<p>Don’t kid yourself and think “Oh I’ve visited Atlanta/Charlotte/Charleston/New Orleans I know the South.” It’s nothing like the major metro areas trying to make a life there is incomparable.</p>
<p>LSU, Alabama, Auburn, and Ole Miss are the most southern in my experience, and they are very different from schools in the northeast corridor. You will meet people who fit into stereotypes from nearby areas, but many, many more that will absolutely defy them.</p>
<p>All of that said, there isn’t a single person in the world that can’t move to the South and have a great experience. I do think knowing what you’re getting into (again, in the insanely rural areas these colleges are in) is a big help, and people in the South are as good as people everywhere else.</p>
<p>It is, however, a different culture. Much more so than an international city on a different continent.</p>
<p>Well, it depends on what she wants, I suppose.</p>
<p>Personally, I think a major in economics is actually more useful than a major in business. It’s a more quantitative field, which gives you a wide range of options after graduation. Economists actually get paid pretty well, and if she develops her skills in econometrics or finance there are great options for that. I’ve rarely seen a job that requires a business major and/or that won’t accept an economics major instead. So personally, I would advocate for staying at Penn State. Is it impossible for her to enroll in a few classes in business in Smeal even if she isn’t a major? It may be possible for her to complete an unofficial major/concentration by taking 5-7 classes in business (or more, if she chooses) without being a major. I also personally think that an economics major at Penn State may get her further than a business major at Auburn or Florida State. Penn State has a huge alumni network and great career services, in addition to a really good reputation.</p>
<p>I looked up Smeal and it appears that the three business minors (supply chain, international business, and legal environment of business) are only open to Smeal majors.</p>
<p>But if she really really wants to major in business, then she should consider transferring to Auburn or Florida State. I agree that Auburn is a great school and she may really enjoy the environment there (I’m from the Southeast, so I’m biased, but I’ve always known Auburn to have a great reputation.) I would also consider the possibility of taking one more semester and applying to transfer in the spring 2014. Yes, she may have to still do two full years and graduate in December instead of May, but it may be worth it for your family.</p>
<p>I respect what you’re saying, Rexximus. I’ve been to Ole Miss, Auburn, Bama, UF, and UT-Knoxville. It’s a whole other country. But at the same time, the OP’s D is currently at Penn State, not, say, Barnard. She’s used to being at a big sports/Greek school in a conservative, rural area. The locals near State College might fit in around Auburn/Opelika better than you think. So yes, there’s a big cultural gulf between the Upper West Side and Auburn, but the OP’s daughter has already crossed some of it.</p>
<p>Auburn’s a fine school in some areas, and the business school is one of the institution’s relative strengths (although it isn’t as widely recognized as the school’s engineering or other pre-professional programs). Before you choose a program and school, do your homework: look at exit surveys, post-graduation employment, etc. and see which program/school aligns better with your daughter’s goals.</p>
<p>Forget about the North/South thing. Anybody who’s not mature enough to handle such differences doesn’t belong at college. Getting more exposure to these kinds of experiences is a good thing.</p>
<p>Agree with forget North/South. My brother and I were raised in NJ. He went undergrad at Case in Cleveland, Grad School at GTECH and WILL NOT LEAVE ATLANTA. He has had numerous offers, from Silicon Valley to NYC and tells them all, What part of I am not leaving Atlanta do you not understand?</p>
<p>Don’t kid yourself and think “Oh I’ve visited Atlanta/Charlotte/Charleston/New Orleans I know the South.” It’s nothing like the major metro areas trying to make a life there is incomparable</p>
<p>Uh, I haven’t “visited” the south, I moved to the south years ago from Southern California. My point wasn’t “major metro” vs the south. “Major Metro” anywhere is different from non-major-metro anywhere. </p>
<p>BTW…I wasn’t claiming that there aren’t any differences. Of course there are differences. There are differences between Southern Calif and the NE. There are differences between the Midwest and the Southwest. There are differences between the NE and the South. But, these differences aren’t a “massive culture shock.”</p>
<p>I think there was a time when a student going from the north to a southern school might have had some culture shock. I went from Pennsylvania to UVa (which is far from the most southern of schools) and experienced some culture shock back in the early 80s. It was mostly the “northern directness” that was the problem - nothing else. However, I think things have changed and the country has become a smaller place. My D headed off to Alabama this past year and had no culture shock at all - she loved it. She has friends and roommates from many different parts of the country, and I’m not aware of any of them suffering culture shock. Our high school (in the Chicago suburbs) routinely sends 10+ students to Auburn each year and I’ve never heard of a single one having culture shock - in fact they come back and encourage others to attend. I definitely wouldn’t worry about the north/south thing.</p>
<p>In good sized cities anywhere, you’re going to find some regional differences, but you’re also going to find a lot of “sameness” because national companies have 'infiltrated" all regions, bringing in transplants and creating more of a melting pot. Smaller cities anywhere are going to be more extreme. </p>
<p>I just spent 17 days in Atlanta. Wasn’t much difference from spending time in LA, Chicago, or any other large metro city. large metro cities are more similar. Large metro cities (no matter where they are) aren’t like residential or smaller cities anywhere. .</p>
<p>Checkout University of Tennessee. Their Supply Chain program is highly regarded, specially their Master. Many companies from across the country come to recruit there. I work for a Fortune 150 company and that’s where they go to recruit SC Masters degree.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies. It is not a North/South issue, it is more a social thing. She roomed with a high school friend for two years and has developed a close knit group of friends, while she knows no one at Auburn. Fortunately, she is well travelled and I dont think culture shock will be a huge issue.</p>
<p>Penn State is odd. They make it very difficult for anyone outside Smeal to take business courses. If she could have complemented her curriculum with a few business courses it would have been an easy decision. As it is, I prefer Auburn. Penn State’s applications are down 9%, and she pays out of state tuition. Their policy does not make sense to me and it is costing PSU students and money. Why would they not allow an Econ major to graduate with a more rounded curriculum and maybe even fill available spaces in their classes? I don’t see it.</p>
<p>Penn State puts enrollment caps (and GPA requirements) on popular programs so that classes do not become overcrowded and those in the major can be sure to graduate on time. (This way they avoid a common criticism of large public universities.) Students are aware of this going in. I don’t see what is odd about it.</p>
<p>I know this is an old post, but I’ll reply anyway because I have connections with all three schools (maybe it will help the next person???). I went to Auburn for grad school (MBA) and two of my very best friends attended Penn State and FSU respectively for their bachelors. I’ve been to all three campuses. Penn State has the best reputation overall. I would also say that Penn State has the best atmosphere. I really loved the area and the campus. The air even feels fresher. Weird. But, the community is very cultish. Even my friend is kind of a weirdo when it comes to Penn State. Its kind of creepy. Weather also can be terrible in the winter and its kind of isolated. </p>
<p>FSU has a nice campus, but Tallahassee was a letdown. Definitely the most urban of the three areas. The weather is not “awesome” in North FL either. It can get cold. Not PSU cold, but contrary to traditional thoughts of FL. You’re not close to a beach or anything like that either (couple hours in either direction). I would say the quality of academics overall is probably worse at FSU than at Penn State and Auburn but it depends on program. I would say FSU is “on par” with Auburn in terms of quality. </p>
<p>Auburn is the smallest surrounding community and campus. Its very rural. The campus is beautiful though. I am from Chicago, so it was kind of a nice escape from what I’m used to. Atlanta is very close as is Birmingham if you need the city. I loved the Business School. Very friendly place. They really press the concept of Auburn as a second family. I thought it was a great choice for me and an excellent experience. Business and Engineering I highly recommend at Auburn. Auburn’s Finance Dept is on the verge of expanding its brand and I suspect in 3-5 year it will be a nationally recognized program in at least that discipline.</p>
<p>All three have great tradition, storied histories, and sports programs. I would say Penn State is probably the most recognized just in terms of name, followed by Florida State, and then Auburn, but I think you’d have to go pretty far off the grid to find a person who doesn’t know any of these schools. They all are well known, for athletics if not academics. </p>
<p>I would be inclined to stay at Penn State. I was an Econ major. I actually think Econ is more impressive than a degree in management or supply chain. But, you should visit each school. Don’t worry too much about the rankings. Worry more about happiness and how you feel you would fit in at the school. Way more important.</p>
<p>I’m biased towards Auburn, but this is my objective opinion on all three. </p>
<p>With the Florida prepaid, check out Univ. of North Florida’s flagship Transportation & Logistics program. UNF is in Jacksonville.</p>
<p><a href=“UNF: Transportation and Logistics Flagship Program”>UNF: Transportation and Logistics Flagship Program;
<p>oops, this thread is almost a year old. Lots can happen in a year…FSU’s president is going to be PSU’s president!</p>
<p><a href=“Penn State names Eric J. Barron president | Penn State University”>Page Not Found | Penn State.;