<p>it’s down to the wire, and I could really use some last minute input…</p>
<p>I’m planning to study Mathematics, and, as the title suggests, it’s between VT, PSU, and BU. What school, in your mind is most prestigous? I really dont’ know how to compare these schools academically because it seems like all of the ranking system are terrible nowadays.</p>
<p>I was the type of student in highschool that took all AP’s and got mid to low A’s in all of them. These were the only schools I was accepted to, so now I have to choose. VT seems to have the coolest campus, but, from what I hear, BU has the prestigue? Does anyone know how the math programs are at these schools?</p>
<p>The most important thing to me is academics. I can find a good social scene at any of these schools, but I want to make sure I get the most out of my 4 years at college. (and, if it matters, I plan to attend graduate school at some point). Any advice would GREATLY be appreciated.</p>
<p>I think I like VT’s campus the most (and sports b/c I’m a HUGe sports fan), but I really want to graduate from a school who’s name has some weight to it.</p>
<p>I think BU is the most prestigious but you could also argue that PSU is about the same…I chose VT over Clemson if that means anything</p>
<p>BU is the smallest student body, then VT, then PSU…If your considering applying math towards engineering sometime in the future VT is definitely tops out of this group…you also should think about the surroundings being that BU is extremely close to a big city and VT is pretty darn far from a notable city…</p>
<p>sorry i didnt really answer the whole “which major is better at which school question” but i hope this helps you a little…</p>
<p>In mathematics, BU probably holds the edger over VT, but VT is definately respectable. It seems you really like VT, so I would go there. They have a very good program, and I think it is very important to like the atmosphere of your school. PSU really isn’t part of this conversation. I think you have to decide whether you want to go to school near a city with a great program (bU) or a large rural school also with a great program (VT).</p>
<p>If you’re an intellectual, unless you’re going to Schreyer, PSU isnt for you. Jock-U, tons of drinking, frats, fratboys and nothing surrounding it. VaTech would probably be similar, but more intellectual?</p>
<p>Both have great sports. BU has Hockey and that’s really it for the major sports. BU has a MUCH more intellectual student body than the other two. Year by year the value of a BU degree is rising. FYI, I’m going to BU. Cant go wrong at all.</p>
<p>The social scene at Penn State is spectacular, whether you drink or not (I didn’t drink in college, and I still had a great time). If you want to study math in graduate school, prestige doesn’t matter; grad schools will only care about GPA, research, and subject GRE scores. If you do well at Penn State, you can get into any top graduate school (I majored in math and astronomy at Penn State and I got into a Ph.D. program at Stanford will full support). There are a lot of Penn State alumni in New York and Washington DC, so the Penn State name carries a lot of weight in those cities.</p>
<p>Anyway, the bottom line is that you should go where you’ll be the happiest. Academics will take care of themselves if you’re happy.</p>
<p>“BU has a MUCH more intellectual student body than the other two.”
Don’t think so. I see plenty students from our local high school go to BU - mostly due to the desire for a big urban school - they are usually NOT intellectual types.<br>
Depends on if you want city or small college town. Not sure why Pat says PSU is not part of the conversation - we know some kids majoring in math who are happy and doing quite well. No PSU is not for everyone but it has a beautiful campus - and you can avoid the drunken frat element (true at many schools). Go where it feels right or it makes the most economic sense. All are very good choices. Good luck.</p>
<p>“Don’t think so. I see plenty students from our local high school go to BU - mostly due to the desire for a big urban school - they are usually NOT intellectual types.
Depends on if you want city or small college town. Not sure why Pat says PSU is not part of the conversation - we know some kids majoring in math who are happy and doing quite well. No PSU is not for everyone but it has a beautiful campus - and you can avoid the drunken frat element (true at many schools). Go where it feels right or it makes the most economic sense. All are very good choices. Good luck.”</p>
<p>Almost everyone from my school (well, nearly 50%) goes to Penn State (yearly). It isnt even close. Sure, a good amount are smarter kids, but overall, not at all. Maybe you’ve seen it differently from your school, but from people I know, BU has a much more intellectual presence.</p>
<p>Yes it’s different in our school. Kids that get into “main” are pretty smart - above average I’d say. Lots are deferred to satellite campuses. A select few get into and go to Schreyer.
BU kids are pretty much the same - there’s less of them (it costs so much more) but they are above average. Hey, the intellectuals at our school go to the Ivies (25 did last year) and other highly selective LACs like Williams. Those with slightly lower profiles choose places like Colgate, Oberlin and Kenyon. I guess it depends on the environment…</p>
<p>We sent 30 to Ivies/top 20s last year. As for Schreyer, I know it’s insane to get into, but I just met a complete idiot of a kid who got in. I dont know what the deal is. I know my friend whose on CC didnt get into Schreyer. What school are you at?</p>