9 Eavenson Way

Glen Mills, PA 19342

December 7th, 2017

Carolyn Perry
552 Smithbridge Road
Glen Mills, PA 19342

Dear Mrs. Perry,

Over the last week or two, I have researched colleges that I am interested in to learn
more about the campus, lifestyle, and cost it would be to attend these schools. The three
schools that I researched are Pennsylvania State University, University of Texas at Austin, and
the University of South Carolina. I chose these three schools because they are all large and
contain the social aspect I am seeking.

All the schools I researched offer some type of business major, as do most colleges. I
still am not exactly sure what I want to do but all colleges offer tons of majors that I can
eventually decide on a year on campus. I will likely enter the school undecided and hopefully
develop a better understanding of my interests with more in-depth classes. All three of the
colleges I chose I am able to afford because I am fortunate that my parents saved enough
money for me to attend without having to come out with tons of loans.

Both Penn State and South Carolina are middle of the road schools for me. As for UT
Austin, that is a little bit more of a reach as the average SAT and GPA are significantly higher
than the other schools. All the schools require and SAT and GPA as well as some requiring
Class Rank and an essay. From now until next year when I apply for colleges I need to begin to
prepare know what I need for each college so I can apply as early as possible.

Sincerely,

Michael Scribner

Question
1. Where is this college
located? How long would
it take you to get there
from Garnet Valley?
How do you feel about
this distance?
2. How many
undergraduate students
attend this school? How
many graduate students?
3. List three sports,
clubs, and/or
organizations that the
school offers that interest
you. Consider Greek life
(fraternities/ sororities),
campus ministry, study
abroad opportunities,
community service
organizations, etc.
4. What kind of
internships/externships
are available to students
of this school?
Try to find the answer to
this question for your
prospective major.
5. What is the campus
setting (urban, suburban,
rural, etc.)? What kinds
of off-campus
General Information
Penn State University
Penn State University is
located in State College,
Pennsylvania. It would
take me about 3 ½ hours
to drive from my current
location. I am fine with
this distance considering
it is a drive.
40,541 undergraduate
students attend PSU and
6,499 graduate students
attend the campus.
I would join a fraternity,
play club soccer, and
join a program that
studies abroad.
At PSU, internships of
all kinds are available to
students through their
Nittany Lion Career
Network, for me
personally I plan on
trying to find an
internship with one of
the sports teams to
understand what life as a
coach is like.
The campus setting is a
small city in a rural area.
State College offers
many experiences off-
UT Austin
University of Texas at
Austin is located in
Austin, Texas at the name
implies. It is about a 4 ½
hour plane ride from
Philadelphia to Austin. A
plane ride that long is not
my preference but I would
be okay with having to
deal with it if I liked the
school enough.
39,523 undergrad students
attend this college and
11,790 graduate students
attend this campus.
I would likely join a
fraternity and play both
club football and soccer.
At UT Austin, internships
are available at career
service offices where they
can help you find an
internship for you.
RecruitUT is the service at
the Austin campus.
The campus setting is in a
large city so any city
activities are available.
University of South
Carolina
University of South
Carolina is located in
Columbia, South
Carolina. It is about a 2
hour flight from
Philadelphia, which is
not terrible.
24,866 undergraduate
students attend this
campus and 8,105
graduate students attend.
I would very likely join a
fraternity as well as
playing both club
football and soccer.
At University of South
Carolina, internships are
available to students who
complete specific pre -
requisites in their classes
and contact their school's
Career Service Manager
for internships in every
major.
The campus setting of
Colombia, South
Carolina is a small city.
So like any city there is
experiences are available
to students at this school?
6. What are three majors
that this school offers that
you would like to
consider?
Question
7. How much does this
school cost per year?
Include:
Tuition and Fees
Room and Board
Books and Supplies
Transportation
Personal Expenses
Total Cost of
Attendance
8. What is the Estimated
grant/gift aid?
9. What would be your
Expected Self Help? In
what form is it?
10. What is the remaining
cost?
11 What is this school’s
campus like geological always things to do when
classes in the mountains there are lots of people
surrounding the school. around. Depending on
your major you may be
able to go to different
areas around the campus
to study. There is a large
lake near the campus so
you may work there if
you are an science major.
Business, Management, Sports Communication Sports Management
Marketing, and Related
Support services Business Administration Hospitality
and Management Administration/Managem
Communication, ent
Journalism, and Related Advertising
Programs Accounting and Finance
Mass Communications,
Media Studies
Penn State University UT Austin University of South
Carolina
The yearly cost for The yearly cost for The yearly cost for
attending PSU is attending PSU is $51,115, attending PSU is
$35,068, Tuition and Tuition and Fees is $48,643, Tuition and
Fees is $17,514, Room $35,682, Room & Board Fees is $32,208, Room &
& Board is $10,926, is $10,070, Books and Board is $11,243, Books
Books and Supplies is Supplies is $622, and Supplies is $1,044,
$1,840, Transportation is Transportation is $431, Transportation is $1,605,
$1,566, and Personal and Personal Expenses is and Personal Expenses is
Expenses is $3,222. $4,310. $2,543.
The Estimated grant aid The Estimated grant aid is The Estimated grant aid
is $2,900. $4,652. is $0.
I will not have any self I will not need any self I will not need self help.
help. help.
There is no remaining There is no remaining cost There is no remaining
cost the EFC is over the EFC and grants cover the cost as EFC covers it all.
Cost per year. cost.
The job placement rate is The job placement rate is The job replacement rate
job placement rate for 100% and the loan 92.5% and the loan is 91% and the loan
graduating students? default rate is 7.7%. default rate is 7%. default rate is 7.4%.
What is this school’s
student loan default rate?

Application Materials and Deadlines

Question Penn State University UT Austin University of South

Carolina
12. When is the November 30th is the December 1st is the Early Action deadline is
application deadline? application deadline for deadline for applications on October 15th and the
PSU. normal deadline is
December 1st.
13. Does this school Penn State does not No, they use their own No, South Carolina uses
accept the common common application they application process. the Coalition application.
application?! use their own personal
application.
14. What are the SAT or ACT is required An SAT or an ACT are Sat or ACT is required to
SAT/ACT requirements to apply for PSU. required for applying to apply.
for this school? Texas.
15. What are the GPA is required to apply GPA is not required but a GPA is required but
GPA/Class Rank for PSU and sending Class Rank must be sent. Class rank is not needed
requirements for this your Class Rank is to apply, although it is
school? optional but recommended.
recommended.
16. What other School Record and Test Test Scores, an Essay, A A School Record, a
admissions requirements Scores are also requried College Board Program, College Prep Program,
are there? SAT 2, letters to apply for the school. and School Record are all and your Test Scores are
of recommendation, required to be sent in. needed to apply to the
personal statement, school.
interview, audition, etc.?
17. Is this school PSU is a Middle of the UT Austin is a reach This school is a middle
“Safety” “Reach” or Road school because it school for me because it is of the road school for me,
“Middle of the Road”? takes work to get into but very hard to get into in but it takes hard work but it
it is not out of reach. is not impossible. is by no means a reach
for me.

Campus Life/Services on Campus

Question Penn State University UT Austin University of South
Carolina
18. Where is the Health The Health Center is The Health Center at UT The Thomson Health
Center and/or Counseling located at 438 Student Austin is located at 100 W Center is located at 1409
Center located and what Health Center, State Dean Keaton Street, Devine Street, Columbi,
are the hours? How do College, Pennsylvania, It Austin Texas 78712. It is South Carolina 29208. It
you make an appointment is open 8 am - 5 pm open 8 am - 5pm everyday is open 8 am - 5pm
at the Counseling Center? everyday except but closed on the everyday but closed on
wednesday when it is weekends. the weekends.
open 9-5 and saturday
when it is open 11 am - 3
pm. Sundays it is closed.
19. What are the hours The Writing Center There is no set hours for The main Writing Center
for the Writing Center? hours vary and you have the Writing Center but is in Byrnes 703. Typical
Do you need an to make an appointment you have to make an hours are Monday,
appointment or can you with the center. appointment before going. 10:00-4:00; Tuesday,
just drop in? Wednesday, and
Thursday, 10:00-5:00;
and Friday, 10:00-3:00.
You need an appointment
to be able to stop by.
20. What academic Students with special Students with disabilities Students with any
supports/curricular learning disabilities can are given equal access to disabilities can contact
accommodations can receive help from PSU in academic opportunities the Student Disability
students with special pursuing their major and and the campus is also Resource Center which
learning needs receive? demonstrating mastery made more accessible for will help talk to
of content. those with disabilities. professors and school
officials to make
accommodations.