Choosing a college in Pennsylvania?

I'm interested in attending college in Pennsylvania but am not sure where to start looking. What are some top schools in the state, and what should I keep in mind when applying to colleges there?

Pennsylvania is a great state with a variety of higher education institutions. For starters, the University of Pennsylvania (an Ivy League) is quite well-known for programs in business, nursing, and communication, among others. Its acceptance rate is competitive, so high academic performance, strong essays, and outstanding extracurricular involvement are key.

Carnegie Mellon University is another top university, especially revered for its programs in Computer Science, Drama, and Music. Similar to UPenn, it's also highly selective so presenting a robust student profile is essential.

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), is a large public university with strong programs in business, engineering, and education. It’s known for having a vibrant student body and extensive alumni network. It's less selective than UPenn or Carnegie Mellon, but it still values students who have demonstrated a high level of academic and extracurricular involvement.

There are many smaller institutions too such as Swarthmore and Haverford which are part of the Tri-College Consortium along with Bryn Mawr. These liberal arts colleges place a high emphasis on undergraduate education and have a much smaller student population, offering a different college experience.

Beyond determining your fit academically, take note of each college's location, size, and culture, as these aspects greatly influence your college experience. Also, understanding their admissions policies is crucial. Some schools might value different parts of an application more heavily than others.

As the process unfolds, generating a list of "safety," "match," and "reach" schools based on your academic profile and extracurricular achievements can be a useful approach. Doing so ensures that your college list is balanced and contains schools you’re genuinely excited about and have a good shot at getting into.

Additionally, take the time to prep for any required standardized tests. Application deadlines are also key. Allowing enough time for the completion of all the aspects of the college application - essays, letters of recommendation, standardized tests - is critical. Good luck!