Philly Unis
 

At least I think at least one of these is philly and I get the impression they are close by.

I have a friend that wants to do a year in a US uni, she's the artsy type and is looking at Brown or Penn State. I was wondering whether someone over there could give me some impressions of their reputations, leanings (tech uni etc) etc?

Brown is extremely highly considered, one of the best schools in the country.

Penn State is not. Massive university, satellite campuses all around the state, supported by state funding, one's first two years at PSU main campus are likely to be spent in massive theatre-style classes and one would probably get more of an "education" in one's dorm room. Its biggest draw is its beautiful campus in the middle of the state, three hours away from any other civilization, it is such a college town that they actually named it State College. Most people will be there because they get a price break as state residents, or because they like being at a school with a big football program, or because it's the "default" choice in their culture ("If you can't go to college, go to Pitt, if you can 't go to Pitt, go to State.") In certain fields PSU has managed to get a decent reputation, I think engineering is one of them. Otherwise it is probably mostly a degree factory. If you like beer in 7 ounce bottles, go. Otherwise, avoid.

Thanks, that confirmed my suspicions on both, is Brown one of the 'ivy league' schools? Or just respected? Any particular leanings in terms of it's courses? It seems to be more artsy?

It's probably the least-recognized Ivy league school, but that probably only helps it. I don't know much about it, only knew one person who went there.

Hey but uh, is your friend referring to "Penn State", or "Penn", short for "University of Pennsylvania" and another Ivy League? Penn is the Philly Ivy. They are quite different schools but even around here there is some confusion in the names.

Penn State grads are best known for their ability to drink copious amounts of beer.

Brown is considered part of the Ivy League. They tend to be VERY VERY left leaning ... to the point where I get a terrible rash if I go anywhere near their campus.

Artsy? wouldn't say yes to either school. Try Rhode Island School of Design if the desire is for artsiness. It's also in Providence.

Artsy in a BA kind of way. Was uni of Penn, not Penn state, the uni she is at is around Ivy League level so I would've been surprised.

That's what Dartmouth is for. :)