Hello everyone.
I was recently accepted to Penn state Abington campus for English. While this was my mistake, I didn’t understand some campuses were more prestigious than others, I simply picked the one closest to Philly for personal reasons. I haven’t committed yet and obviously have other options however this is really weighing on me. Is there any way I can request to be considered for UP? Please help!
University Park is the flagship. You’re getting an English degree. It’s unlikely to matter getting the degree at one vs. another. If you need to be in a certain place, then you are fine.
Many kids don’t get into UP and get offered a branch campus - to begin with.
If you want to be close to Philly and have, what you perceive is the cachet of UP, then apply to Temple. You have til Feb 1.
Good luck.
I was accepted to temple, im just worried about reputation (maybe im being paranoid) but i keep wondering if maybe id have been accepted to UP had i applied
Thank you for your answer though!
What reputation? You’re an English major.
Temple is known for the arts, for journalism, etc. It’s an excellent school.
See the odds of changing but it’s an English major. Unless you have something special, content wise you want, I wouldn’t worry.
You found the major you want. Now choose the school you want. Not on perceived reputation but where you want to be.
I don’t see Temple as less reputable than PSU.
Good luck.
If you start at Abington or another PSU branch and really want to go to University Park as an English major, you can transfer if you meet the criteria described at English, B.A. (Liberal Arts) | Penn State
any words of wisdom for OP @MYOS1634?
Just because I am an English Major doesn’t mean I don’t want to be challenged. If I’m going to be paying minimum 40k for a university, I don’t want it to go towards a university (or in this case, campus in particular) that would set me back instead of lead me towards success. Thanks the well wishes though.
I think you are confusing “reputation” and reality.
Going to a big name school doesn’t mean rigor.
We are not sure where this student is - but we think Columbia. It was either there Cal Tech, or UCSD. He’s bored, claims learning nothing. See post below. His concerns aren’t uncommon.
There are many Ivy kids who say - it was a breeze. When I was in grad school, my Cornell undergrad roommate best friend was at Wharton School - and his life was cake - looking for a job - while we busted tail at Arizona State.
My daughter turned down myriad high rep schools (Wash & Lee, UGA Honors, UF, American, etc) for College of Charleston - which was a regional and got her butt kicked. My son turned down myriad schools like Purdue, UMD, UF for Alabama - and got his butt kicked. They may have at the others or may not have - but even at “lesser” reputed names, there’s still profs with PhDs who will run you through the gauntlet. There’s one poster on here who teaches at a school, likely with a similar rep. It’s a public, but without a flagship name (i.e. not a Penn State - X but more a West Chester or Millersville. I looked up her rate my professors. She’s very rigorous and writing intensive.
You could very well be challenged at Abingdon - even moreso than University Park…or maybe not. But don’t conflate reputation with rigor.
Join the Scheyer’s Honors College if possible. Seek roles at things like campus magazines.
You created the problem by not applying to UP. I don’t really think it’s a problem. Your reason for wanting to go there - it’s your reason (reputation) but I think the actual reason you picked where you did is a more important reason. It’s a better fit for you, other than you feel like it’s not the flagship.
But for now, you are there unless you choose another four year school. So make the best of the first two years….or find another home - but given you desires (you wanted to stay close to Philly, I assume budget matters, etc.) I’m not sure you’ll do better. And please don’t assume inferiority - you have no idea about the day to day at any school once you step foot on campus.
Good luck.
I learned nothing this term and I’m disappointed - College Life - College Confidential Forums
It is indeed non-trivial to understand and navigate the Penn State system. I suggest that you try posting your question on a related site to get more opinions and advice:
https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/penn-state-early-action-class-of-2030-official-thread/
If you want to be in Phila, Temple seems to me like a good option.