PSI Decision Reflection

Students will explain their reasoning for choosing their PSI. In the explanation you should
reference the values chart as well as why this school is a good academic, personal and
financial fit. You should also talk about what made you apply to the school initially including
any and all interactions you have had with the school such as visits, meetings with an
admissions rep, college fairs, family or friends that have attended or do attend the school.
Did you run into any problems when you were making your decision? Essentially we want
to hear about your journey to making a final decision about your postsecondary institution.

Currently, I still do not know which college I want to attend. I am indecisive between
attending either Bucknell University or Arcadia University. Both universities have their pros and
cons. For example, a pro of both colleges is that each one has my major: Mathematics. A con for
both schools is that I did not, nor could I attend each schools college fairs. A pro for both
schools is their locations and proximity to home. Both are located in either a suburban or urban
area, as well as neither school is more than eight hours away from home. A con for both schools
is that I may not be able to pay the deposit by May 10th. Another con is the differences between
cost of attendance and direct cost. Both schools have a direct cost in the $50,000 to $55,000
range, but their cost of attendance adds at least another $5,000. Some pros for both schools are
that they are both academic fits for me (my GPA and ACT scores are within their admitted
student range), both have a list of athletic programs I could join (basketball, baseball, track, field,
wrestling, etc.), and both schools offer a vast list of internships to students.
That was just the pros and cons for both Bucknell and Arcadia. Bucknell, as a school in
of itself, has its pros and cons as well. For instance, a con for Bucknell is the amount of financial
aid I could receive. Another con, which explains what was previously stated, is that I submitted
the CSS Profile late. If I had submitted the CSS Profile on time, I would have received my
financial aid award letter already, as well as had a chance at receiving more scholarships and aid
form the school. Another con of Bucknell is that it is the farther of the two from home. Bucknell
is just outside of Harrisburg, whereas Arcadia is just a simple bus ride away. However, Bucknell
has a few pros. One of which is that I have a connection to a Mastery alum who attends
Bucknell. Another pro is that I stay in contact with a Bucknell representative via email. I also had
an interview with this person as well.
Arcadia has its ups and downs as well. Some cons are that I am applying rolling
admission as suppose to regular decision. This means that I will probably not know if I got
accepted or not until the summer, but hopefully it will not come to that. Another con is that I may
not have a chance at receiving a lot of financial aid because I am applying rolling admission.
Another con is that I do not know any Mastery alumnus who attends Arcadia. The only pro I can
think of is that it is closer to home than Bucknell.