North American Universities

[Gregg2]

1. Virginia
2. Penn State
3. Purdue
4. Nebraska

...by overall academic reputation, of those you listed in the U.S. How college administrators rank other universities is a pretty good guide, IMO. As far as the Math departments, I can't say, but Purdue has one of the highest regarded Engineering departments.

Not sure about the location of U of Virginia... Penn State is in the middle of nowhere, not good access to major highways. Nebraska is in the state capital, but it's not a major city, but not far from Omaha (airport). Purdue is the only one of the four I've visited. It has a strange campus, I think. Most of the dormitories are separated from campus by a moderately large neighborhood of private residences that have been converted to "off-campus" housing. But the academic areas of campus are pretty. It's not terribly far from Chicago or Indianapolis, but traffic from Chicago's airport could be nerve racking.

 

[sanPietro98]

With Penn State, make sure you know which campus. There are numerous campuses around the state and they are definitely not equal.

 

[Signal-11]

1. Virginia
2. Penn State
3. Purdue
4. Nebraska

...by overall academic reputation, of those you listed in the U.S. How college administrators rank other universities is a pretty good guide, IMO. As far as the Math departments, I can't say, but Purdue has one of the highest regarded Engineering departments.

Not sure about the location of U of Virginia... Penn State is in the middle of nowhere, not good access to major highways. Nebraska is in the state capital, but it's not a major city, but not far from Omaha (airport). Purdue is the only one of the four I've visited. It has a strange campus, I think. Most of the dormitories are separated from campus by a moderately large neighborhood of private residences that have been converted to "off-campus" housing. But the academic areas of campus are pretty. It's not terribly far from Chicago or Indianapolis, but traffic from Chicago's airport could be nerve racking.

I visited Penn State a few times while my sister was a professor there. It really is not the place I'd suggest for a foreign exchange student. UVa is where you want to go, in both academic and quality of life terms.

 

[prodigee]

Penn State is a great school, it is one of the best state schools in the nation, has a massive population. Over 40,000 students and the campus is great.

 

[obey908]

I go to penn state, so obviously I recommend penn state.

Out of your list, you should really only look at Virginia or PSU.

Downtown state college is awesome, tons of restaurants, bars, etc. I believe State college was rated one of the safest cities to live in. The campus is beautiful. I don't know if you like football, but football weekends are amazing.

Gregg2...what are you talking about? Penn state has easy access to major highways. Route 80 is only 12miles from the campus. The PA turnpike also isn't too far away.

 

[Gregg2]

Gregg2...what are you talking about? Penn state has easy access to major highways. Route 80 is only 12miles from the campus. The PA turnpike also isn't too far away.

That's only 12 miles? It looks farther on a map. As you can deduce from what I was talking about, I've never visited the campus. Many that I have visited have major limited-access highways going right to their cities. The PA turnpike (I-70/76) is not convenient to State College. Why don't they finish the curiously numbered I-99 to connect State College to I-80? (or is my map too old?)

 

[Capt Crunch]

All things Pure really. My tutor reckons I should pick the modules I would pick if I stayed here for 3rd year, then match them as close as possible to modules from the courses offered wherever. I'm really tempted by Singapore to be honest, but Virginia is definitely my favourite of the North American Unis.

You should go to UVA. It will have the courses you need. Are you planning to take graduate courses (700 level)?

 

[obey908]

That's only 12 miles? It looks farther on a map. As you can deduce from what I was talking about, I've never visited the campus. Many that I have visited have major limited-access highways going right to their cities. The PA turnpike (I-70/76) is not convenient to State College. Why don't they finish the curiously numbered I-99 to connect State College to I-80? (or is my map too old?)

I know they redid I-99 and made it connect altoona and state college in a straight shot, i believe it took about 10-15 minutes off travel time between them. To get to 80, I got on 99 and just drive straight for ~12 miles. During that 12 miles the road changes names, but it is still a straight shot

 

[smwatson]

You should go to UVA. It will have the courses you need. Are you planning to take graduate courses (700 level)?

I'll be in the 3rd year of a 4 year degree so still undergraduate. But I have to take courses that match up in terms of level with what I would have done if I stayed here and that will satisfy prerequisites for the final year stuff I'll do here. Basically the guy in charge of the course said choose the modules I would have chosen if I stayed here, then find modules at whatever Uni I end up at that match them.

 

[benzslrpee]

in terms of international brand name recognition Purdue and the National University of Singapore would definitely stand out on a resume...assuming your resume is geared towards math/engineering/science. i've lived in Singapore and it is a great, great city. you'll never see so many different cultures jammed in one place.

Penn State and University of Virgina both have good reputations but i don't know how fun it is there.

for everything else...well, if it's not going to offer a recognizable brand name i wouldn't bother with it.

 

[smwatson]

I am very pleased to inform you that the University of Bath is able to
nominate you to spend the academic year 2010/11 on exchange at the National
University of Singapore.

The nomination is conditional on your maintaining a suitable level of
results in the Semester 1 assessments, as laid down in the study abroad
regulations for your degree programme.

Eeee!

Shame about the suitable level of results for Semester 1 but still, the offer's there.