I am trying to make my college decision and I am very conflicted. I was accepted pre-admit to the Kelley School of business at Indiana University and recieved a lot of scholarships there. I also visited the school and liked the family atmosphere a lot. I was also accepted first round early action to University of Michigan. My ultimate goal there would be to attend Ross, but I have not received an admissions decision from them yet (not expecting to be preadmit though). I live in Michigan. Also applied to to University of Virginia and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but have not heard from either yet.
Where should I go? All schools are top tier business programs, which is what I was looking for. Any pros/cons between the schools (especially Ross vs. Kelley)?
First you have to wait to see where you get in so you have decisions in hand. The cost of course instate is to your advantage, isn’t it? I think Michigan is pretty tops all around.
My son is in a similar situation, when it comes to U of Mich and IU. Our other consideration is UIUC, our state’s flagship school. We feel confident that he can be successful at any of these schools. He will need to decide which one feels right for him.
So in an attempt to help, I’ll throw out some of the topics we discussed after attending Kelley’s Direct Admit Day and U of Michigan’s Campus Day. (I’ll refrain from making a UIUC comparison.)
First of all we loved both schools, but there were a couple of differences that were apparent in our visits.
Number 1 is size. Yes, both are large Big Ten schools, but the business schools have VERY different numbers. Kelley seemed HUGE. An advisor we spoke with at the Kelley reception mentioned the 2015 class would be OVER 1200(!) students. So we talked about the implication of this…good and bad.
Number 2 is academics/student population. IU will accept my son’s AP credits, giving him sophomore standing immediately. Kelley classes sound like they may be less rigorous - which can be both good and bad, for obvious reasons.
Lastly, we have to consider direct admit versus (possible) pre-admit. As an OOS student (for us) it would be an expensive, calculated gamble to choose Michigan. Since you live in Michigan the financial implication isn’t a factor compounding your decision, yet I agree that the uncertainty is daunting.
In the meantime we are using the time to “get smarter” about the 3 schools and to do more self reflection. Fortunately, I like our choices.
Fortunately, I like our choices.