Information Requested in Regards to Colleges

[djtestudo]

Basically, I am a community college student in Maryland looking at schools to transfer into. I am mainly looking at colleges that are reasonably close (within ~300 miles of Baltimore), and reasonably cheap (up to around $16,000 a year, tuition, room and board). Therefore, I am making a request of any fellow members who went to school in the mid-Atlantic/Appalachian areas.

Here are the schools I am looking at right now:

Maryland-
- Towson University - cheapest and closest to me
- Salisbury University - also cheap, and close to the ocean
- Frostburg State University - cheap, and I know (and love) the area

Pennsylvania-
- York College - closest out-of-state school, almost a commuter option
- Bloomsburg University
- Lock Haven University - These two seem fairly similar.

West Virginia-
- Concord University - farthest away

Here is what I ask:

1) If you went to any of the schools on the list, please let me know some information about the school; the location, activities, campus life, etc. I am specifically looking for information about the quality of the student media outlets, but anything will be helpful. Both positive and negative views are great; I want to know if I want to live there.

2) If you went to another school that fits the location and price but isn't on my list, please let me know the same information so that I can research them as well.

I appreciate any help that can be given on this subject. It is a major decision, and I am starting to get confused. Thanks to all who are able to assist.

[maleficent]

I didn't go to any of those schools -- so take my advice with a grain of salt...

What's right for other people, might not necessarily be right for you... College choice is extremely personal and you really need to get your own feeling about the school.

One of the best ways to do that is to arrange for a campus visit -- an overnight one if at all possible and talk to people other than the students doing the campus tours.

One of the big social related questions I'd have, after making sure that it's a fit academically, is how many students go home on weekends...and will you plan on going home...

[djtestudo]

Oh, I know that college choice is individual.

However, since most of the schools are far enough away that I don't know a whole lot about them, I think hearing from people who went there, especially if the answer is more then "it's great" or "it sucks", will help at least get an idea of what the school is about.

[djtestudo]

I hope people are just not seeing this, or no one went to college in Maryland or Pennsylvania, instead of simply not caring...

[Melka]

I haven't gone to any of these schools, but one thing that helped me decide where to go to school was doing some campus visits. Most schools will arrange for your to stay in the dorms or greek houses and some will even give you some coupons so you can try out campus food. That way you could talk to some of the students on campus and get their opinions.

[snowy]

Originally Posted by Melka

I haven't gone to any of these schools, but one thing that helped me decide where to go to school was doing some campus visits. Most schools will arrange for your to stay in the dorms or greek houses and some will even give you some coupons so you can try out campus food. That way you could talk to some of the students on campus and get their opinions.

Yeah, this is pretty much my advice as well. Visits make all the difference. Pick the college where it feels like home, where it feels most comfortable.

[USA]

I am employed at a college/university, but not in the areas you choose. The best advice I can give is too visit, talk to general students, (not the one giving the tour) and check out the total cost of education. Tuition and room/board are only part of the costs. Include books and book buyback percentages. Do faculty, in your chosen area change books often? Check the cost to park on campus. And, important to most of our students, is available jobs. If you can get a job on campus, do it. Campus jobs will be the most flexible when it comes to needed time off, plus most areas understand why you won't be working over breaks. They close on weekend and holidays, also.

This is only the tip of the iceberg, but...

Good luck and I hope you find a school you are comfortable with.

[BadNick]

I was thinking ...does the type of curriculum/degree program/career direction you are interested in have any bearing on your choice of school? e.g., I wanted to study mechanical engineering so obviously I wanted to choose a school with a well regarded engineering program; no matter how much I liked a school or affordable it was, it had to have the curriculum I needed.

I didn't go to any of those schools and even though I had acquaintances at Bloomsburg and Lock Haven, I don't know anything about those schools' academic and student benefits; all I know is they had a fun time while attending.

[theusername]

Make sure the social environment fits you. If your a quiet shy type be weary about going to a larger school. If your a social butterfly a bigger school might be better letting you meet more people. I'd recommend staying within 3 hours of home. Check the academic programs, if your undecided make sure the college has a lot of options. If you already have something in mind research the department. Thats all I got. I go to Pitt and have fallen into a few pitfalls socially so that'd be my number one recommendation, just find your match.

[djtestudo]

I think that I should say that I have been through this process before, so I do know all the things about visiting colleges and specific things I want to look for. I'm asking for information about SPECIFIC schools, both on the list I posted as well as any others that would go within the Maryland/Pennsylvania/Virginia/West Virginia/etc. area.

I do thank everyone who posted advice already, since I didn't make it clear and it is great advice, just not what I'm looking for