What would you choose for psychology?
Kid wants to be in FBI/Police work, so looking for more applied psychology vs theoretical (if that’s a thing). All are out of state, all are about the same price. No honors…
-UPITT
-RUTGERS NB
-UCONN
-HOFSTRA
waitlisted at Umass Amherst, still waiting on Fordham
Thank you!
Depends - which can you afford and then which do you prefer. I assume you can afford all ?
All are fine schools.
They all are about the same price. We are from MA.
Also accepted to Virginia Tech but it seems like getting there/home will be a pain (plane or train plus bus) - so it’s off the table unless there is something about VT that we don’t know that would tip the scales
I am trying to figure out which one has the best/most respected psychology program…
I’d go with the student’s preference.
As an aside, when I grew up in Long Island many years ago, Hofstra had a high proportion of commuters and students who went home for the weekend. This may have changed over the years but is worth researching.
All the same but can you afford ?
For psych, it’s which do you prefer. You can get a solid psych degree anywhere.
Have you visited ?
VT is the nicest campus in America ahd has the best food.
Psych is an anywhere is fine major - so not sure there’s a best, most respected of this bunch. Sorry.
Take the major out - of your visits, which did you feel most comfortable.
The student will get a strong education in psych at any of these schools. I would research the schools and go with fit.
Hofstra has a reputation as a suitcase school with a lot of local kids who clear out on weekends. I wouldn’t recommend it for an out of state student.
That’s something my kid should consider… they are very extroverted, so would not be happy on an empty campus…
Thanks!
Check with a student ambassador to see if the same today.
That could be the case at a flagship in a small state as well.
Have your student visit and talk to kids or ask admissions or psych to set them up with a student ambassador.
It may still be but school’s evolve.
If you believe the College Factual website (just easier to get data), Hofstra is the most geographically diverse followed by Pitt. UConn and Rutgers are far, far below and are both in small states. Will they be suitcase ?
I don’t know - that’s why I’d talk to people.
I don’t think Hofstra measures up to the other three, reputationally or experientially, for what your kid wants.
Among Pitt, Rutgers, and UConn, three reasonable people could make three different decisions. They differ in vibe and certainly in urban-adjacency, so it’s worth considering those fit factors.
But even more so, I think if I were in your shoes (or your kid’s), I would be thinking about skill-sets. I think there’s a certain fantasy career path, encouraged by popular culture, that involves law enforcement agencies hiring people for their superior insight into the workings of the human mind. There are a number of disconnects between this thinking and real life.
So, I would be looking at your kid’s strengths and interests, and considering which school would best enhance and build upon those. For example, UConn has a particularly strong GIS program. Is this a kid who would consider adding UConn’s GIS minor to their psych degree? (Noting also that psych could be switched out for sociology or urban and community studies, among other options - kids do change their minds and many majors can work.) There’s also a Crime & Justice minor. There are internships with the UConn police department as well as a “Citizen’s Police Academy.”
That’s just taking UConn as an example - there are similar programs and opportunities at Pitt and Rutgers.
Honestly, you can’t really go wrong among these three schools. There’s certainly no meaningful difference in terms of discipline-specific reputation, for an undergrad psych degree. I would just have the student dig into a lot of specifics about the student experience and available opportunities at each school, and see what “clicks.”
oh wow thank you so much! I will forward it to my kid! I really appreciate your insight!
I don’t know about Rutgers, but UConn is not a suitcase school.
@yuor28, if you want to know more about how students experience campus life, try www.■■■■■■■■■ where there are student responses to various questions about each college.
Career wise Hofstra says 85% are working one year out at $49k. They have many in school too so likely some do both.
Rutgers says 52% working at $40k.
UConn has 56% employed at $46k.
Both UConn and Rutgers have a decent amount looking - given the major it makes sense.
I’m not sure the academic rep matters. It’s a psych degree.
Whether it’s Ramapo or Rutgers, Hofstra or Hawaii, it’s not going to be impactfully different. The school’s rank is immaterial in this case.
This is why OP should check all and talk to kids. Colleges evolve. Hofstra may not be right but maybe it is.
Not sure where law school came in but in that case Harvard or Hofstra wouldn’t matter. I know others disagree but given enrollments at top schools, they’re accessible from anywhere.
You will spend four years on campus. Find the right one. Pitt urban. UConn not. Rutgers may require a daily bus etc. if not going home often - Va Tech is unreal and if neuro is an interest (since doing psych), they have a stand alone school. And the top rated food in America. And I’d argue the nicest campus. Maybe it’s worth the distance. Only you can decide.
Do your homework. You applied to each for a reason.
Good luck.
Yes, UMass is top rated for food, but my GS who is there says that even still the food gets boring. Nonetheless he loves the 5 egg omelettes.
UMASS not on the list - but yes, UMASS and VT consistently rate top 5.
Funny, a co worker in Phoenix who went to UMASS says she’d eat there ahead of local restaurants.
Sounds yummy. I wish I had that.
Waitlisted at UMass 
Have u been to the others or do u plan to go visit ?
Is your goal law school ? It was brought up - y I ask.
Law school is MY goal LOL (because I know my kid, not because I want a lawyer in the family)… Kid wants to be a policeman… I understand it doesn’t really matter what college they end up in for police work (doesnt even need college)… My main worry if they go to a mid-level college and then decide to change their plan to some major that needs to be from a good college… you know? Hope I am expressing my train of thought clear enough, English is not my strong suit.
You can go to the top law school from any college in America.
Kids from 146 colleges are in Harvard’s first year class. At Penn over 200 in the school.
The point I’m making is these are all solid schools. But they are different.
Best your student visits them and decides where they feel good.
He’ll get a good education at any of these.
His potential is not going to be limited by any of these schools but may (or may not be) by a psych major.
You need to focus on the right fit for him, not which of these are better. They’re all solid. And UMass wouldn’t change that.
OP, just sharing as some friends in MA weren’t aware of this new program. So in case this applies to your income bracket, gives UMass Amherst a big boost if he gets in
About MASSGrant Plus
If your family makes approximately $85,000 a year*:
Whether you are a full- or part-time student enrolling in or attending a public four-year college or university, MASSGrant Plus covers the full cost of your tuition and fees.
While MASSGrant Plus does not include room and board, it can provide funds for other costs to help you complete your degree. It provides an allowance of up to $1,200 for books and supplies.
If your family makes approximately $85,000 and $100,000 a year*:
If you are a full-time student, the costs for tuition and fees could be reduced by up to half of your out-of-pocket expenses.