Hey guys, I'm seriously considering going to college in Erie, PA. It fits my requirements for a small-town feel but I'm not super familiar with the colleges there. Any insights from you guys?
Erie, Pennsylvania is home to several colleges and universities, each with its unique characteristics. Your choice would depend on your intended major, the type of school you are looking for (public, private, liberal arts, etc.), and a variety of other factors that may influence your decision.
Starting with Penn State Behrend, it's a common choice for many students due to its strong reputation. This is a public institution and a Commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University, so you can be assured of a high-quality, comprehensive education. The campus offers a range of degree programs in Business, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science.
Gannon University is another institution located in a dynamic downtown Erie community. It's a private Catholic university, known for its strong programs in health sciences and engineering. There's also substantial emphasis on experiential learning at Gannon, with lots of opportunities for internships, co-ops, and study abroad programs.
Mercyhurst University is a Catholic liberal arts institution that prides itself on its close-knit community and strong foundation in the liberal arts. The university has quite strong programs in Intelligence Studies and Dance, among other fields.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) is there too if you're interested in health sciences, particularly medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry. Note that LECOM is a professional graduate school.
Finally, there's Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, which is about 20 miles south of Erie but still fairly close. This is a larger public university with a wide range of majors, including a well-regarded arts program.
It's essential to research these schools thoroughly, visit them if you can, and consider factors like size, cost, available majors and extracurriculars, and campus culture to determine which may be the best fit for you. Hope this overview helps in your college search!
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