@ahetrick12. Did you ultimately choose RIT? My son was accepted to both RIT and PSU for Cybersecurity (he will be a Freshman this Fall) and is experiencing the same torn feeling that you expressed. RIT’s program/offerings/classrooms are amazing and RIT is understandably rated among the best for Cybersecurity; however, he is concerned that he may not exactly fit in. There is no denying that many of the students fit the ‘nerdy’ stereotype. He is more confident that he will be able to connect with students at PSU, but PSU practically seems like a city within itself which he doesn’t love.
Socially, RIT seems a bit too quite and we’re not certain that it’s going to provide the full ‘fun and energetic’ college experience; whereas PSU seems to offer a bit too much of it. (His older brother is at PSU so we have some inside scoop from the PSU perspective).
He has also been accepted to other schools… One that is completely different than RIT or PSU is Marist (much smaller, liberal arts). We kinda’ think that may be a happy medium as far as the social and fitting-in aspect; however, although it was one of the first dedicated cybersecurity programs and has a close relationship with IBM, it just doesn’t have the name recognition and reputation as RIT or PSU.
We would so love to hear what you decided, if you’re happy with your decision and if there was anything you wish you did differently.