Considerations for Colleges near Harrisburg, PA

Greetings, I'm currently a junior and am interested in finding out more information about colleges near Harrisburg, PA. Any feedback or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Ideally, I'm looking at social sciences.

There are quite a variety of schools near Harrisburg, PA offering diverse opportunities in social sciences. Here are a few you might consider:

1. Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg: A public school located in Middletown, this Penn State branch offers academic rigor combined with the benefits of a small campus. It has strong social sciences programs, including degree options in psychology, sociology, and criminal justice.

2. Dickinson College: A private liberal arts college based out of Carlisle and is approximately 20 miles from Harrisburg. They offer a host of programs in social sciences like political science, International studies, environmental studies and more.

3. Messiah College: It's a private Christian college located in Mechanicsburg, just southwest of Harrisburg. They offer a variety of programs in the humanities and social sciences, including sociology, international business, and political science.

When evaluating these colleges, consider varying factors like size, campus culture, academic rigor, faculty-student interaction, extracurricular opportunities, study abroad programs, and internship opportunities. Taking a campus tour or speaking with current students or alumni can provide further insights.

Furthermore, you'll want to look at factors like the school's general academic reputation, the strength of the social sciences department specifically, availability of research opportunities, class size, faculty-to-student ratio, and postgraduate outcomes.

Also, make sure to ensure their tuition, housing, and other costs align with your family's budget—use each school's net price calculator to get an estimate of what you'll actually pay after financial aid. The college's financial aid policy is also crucial.

Remember, picking a college is about finding a good fit for you academically, socially, and financially, so spend some time researching and visiting these schools to determine which might be the best fit.