Penn State or Washington State would get my vote. I think Penn State has the better reputation but she would enjoy Washington. Pitt would be next. While I am sure U of Montana and Utica are nice, they are not the most recognized schools.

TTT

Buzzy, hate to throw a wrench in things but my cousin graduated from UC Berkely (University of California at Berkely) which is right outside San Francisco with a PhD in Bio-Engineering. He researches bones and joints for a living. Is that what your daughter is getting into?

California would be a much nicer climate.

If that is not an options, I agree with either Pitt or Penn State. Of the two, Penn State.

Good luck to you and your family and tell your daughter to see as much of the US as possible!

being a Penn State grad, I would have to stay - go Nittany Lions!

I think she will really enjoy her stay there - and learn a lot. Penn State has a very good reputation and definitely "name brand" recognition.

She's a 3 hour drive from Philly, 4 hours from DC, 4, maybe 5 from NYC. Central PA is very pretty, too. There are always those 3 am roadtrips to Boalsburg, as well.

Winter in Syracuse can be brutal.

My son in-law graduated from University in Cardiff and when he and my daughter came to visit me last year (here in central Pennsylvania) they remarked how much Pennsylvania reminded them of Wales. I'd agree Penn State or Pitt would be great areas to live.
Minette

She should ask her professors at her current university which of them has the best/mostwell-respected program for the particular field she is interested in. There is no point going to a school which is not going to offer her the best program of study.

As the study is for a year and is not a graduate program, then your daughter will not get any degree from any of the above. Her degree will be from her university in Wales. She may want to put the year of study on a CV if applying for work or graduate school, but a one-year non-degree program may not carry a lot of weight with an employer or graduate school, esp if she applies for a job or graduate program in the UK.

A young person (or any person really) can live anywhere for a year. I wouldn't let the location dictate this decision.

I know this is late and probably won't help, but Utica, NY isn't desolate. It may be a small, old industrial city, but has all the amenities of a large cosmopolitain area(Malls, many different restaurants, Bars & Nightclubs, 5 Hospitals, 1 state university, 4 colleges, a zoo, a golf course, a ski slope, a Brewery(saranac & utica club), and the largest 9K race, the Boilermaker) I do admit the weather is harsh and takes some getting used to. As for Utica College, it is a great school for Sciences and Journalism.

I don't know much about the academics of the various univerisities, but I will add my two cents -- as others have noted, U of MT and WSU are quite isolated and wouldn't have the culture that your daughter is interested in. Additionally, they are know to be party schools. U of MT is in beautiful country, but it sounds like this isn't her bag anyway. (I live in Washington, but am from Montana)

If it's about a good genetic program rather than what's socially available, email me at hotmail and I'll send you my friend's email At Harvard where he's a prof and author of a book on his Genetic studies and she, in turn can ask him.

Folks, please note that the original post on this thread is one year old -- from November 2003. The decision has been made.

Thanks, anon, another senior moment chalked up from me.
Why are these posts brought up if nothing new is updated?

I'd say go to the Pennsylvania Universities, either Penn State or Pitt. Pitt is better known for its medical program more than anything else (UPMC) and is well known for its medical research and transplant divisions than most places you've listed. The bonus of going to either of the Pennsylvania Universities is that it will be easier to catch a flight back to Wales during Spring Break (shorter) and that, if it were me going to college, would be very important.



My sister lives in Syracuse, and when I visit I hate the weather, always cold even on Easter. Montana is away from all the major NE metropolitan areas, actually a distance from all Midwest cities too.

Contrary to what Shane says, Pittsburgh has undergone a regeneration in recent years. It used to be an ugly, dirty, depressing place to live, but is now a vibrant city and good place to live.

My brother transfered for Pitt to Penn State because he missed the outdoors. Both unis offer a lot in terms of cultural events and such, but Pitt does have the extra benefit of being in a city with all that has to offer.

But both are good schools, so she really should choose whichever has the best program in her area.

People could save themselves so much effort if they ony bothered to read the previous posts!