<p>As the topic suggested, I want to seek advices about these schools, especially for economics and finance programs. Although Columbia seems to be the best choice but the tuition exceeds my budget. Michigan and Berkeley would be my second choice but I heard that SHC is more supportive and has higher reputation over those two and (few said) over Columbia. I actually plan to go to economics grad school and pretty sure that any of these schools offer an edge to go there.</p>
<p>if tuition exceeds your budget, automatically cross it off your list, there's not reason to pay more than what you can or more than what you want to pay. Pick between berkeley and michigan. go to the one you're in state tuition for.</p>
<p>Michigan or Berkeley.</p>
<p>Forget Penn State.</p>
<p>columbia....dont pass away the opportuniy to study in columbia!!!or you will regret yourself......</p>
<p>I turned down Columbia in favor of Michigan and I don't regret it one bit. I would do it all over again if I had to. Columbia is not for all tastes. If he is a good fit for their campus culture, great, otherwise, I do not recommend it.</p>
<p>I agree that PSU is clearly the weakest of the bunch. If you want to major in Finance, go to Michigan and get into Ross. If you want to major in Economics, I would say Cal, Columbia and Michigan are all about equal.</p>
<p>I suspect the people who are saying "forget Penn State" either did not understand what SHC means, or simply don't know what they are talking about. Lots of students use this as a launching pad for graduate school, as you probably know having been admitted. Look over the offerings in the economics and finance programs, contact admissions at all places and ask how many students end up in graduate school, and where they go. Do not pay too much attention to uninformed opinions.</p>
<p>I am sure many schreyer students get scholarships. Now for economics and finance UCB and ross are better.</p>
<p>Michigan...</p>
<p>I applied to SHC, Michigan, and Berkeley. While I did not apply to Columbia, I did consider the school. So I am well-informed...</p>
<p>When you go to SHC you still get a Penn State degree. While graduate schools know what SHC is, I think they'd be more impressed my Michigan or Berkeley. A big advantage to SHC is guaranteed research positions, although you should be able to get research at the other colleges too.</p>
<p>Since you can't afford Columbia, I'd go with Michigan or Berkeley.</p>
<p>All good schools - if you're planning to go grad - go where the money is. For my son, it was SHC (almost free tuition (instate) with three academic scholarships). SHC offers many opportunities, inlcuding free study abroad, internships, and many research opportunities. Seems like a great program - all the kids we have met there rave about it. Yes, prestige may be less - but check out how successful the students are at the end of 4 years.</p>
<p>Berkeley or Columbia</p>
<p>I do not agree with the advice to "cross a school off your list if the tuition exceeds your budget." That would only be good advice if you know you will not qualify for need-based aid.</p>
<p>Hey-thanks all. I plan to visit Columbia and Berkeley sometime next month and Michigan this month. I've visited SHC and found my niche there but not on the whole campus. But still, any advices are deeply appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks~</p>
<p>A college's program is only as good as the college itself. The simple truth is that finance and econ profs at Michigan and Berkeley are tops in their field worldwide, and Penn State profs just aren't at their level and either are the students. So though the program offers many perks, it still can't provide the same academic experience as Michigan or Berkeley, just like no honors program, even at the best publics like Michigan or Berkeley can offer a Harvard educaiton.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that honors programs vary signficantly at big schools - and I DO think that makes a difference in the experience. Some just throw you into separate dorms and give you money. SHC has an approach that is highly regarded (they actively recruit their best faculty to teach honors, offer small classes, travel abroad grants, advisors with much smaller loads). The program is VERY selective (not Ivy but close) and the students are highly successful (offers, grad school admissions, scholar awards). Yes UMich and Berkeley are fantastic schools, but many see that SHC at Penn State has a lot to offer and quite a few students choose the program over elite schools (and save the money for elite grad schools).</p>
<p>Toneranger, what does your son think about his program in SHC? What year is he and did he enjoy it so far?</p>
<p>collegehunter: My son is joining SHC in the fall. But he does know some current students there. His friend's brother (engineering student) loves it. We toured the place and had some quiet time with the student guides. They all reported that they are VERY happy with the program (supportive atmosphere, smaller classes, internships and study abroad opportunities). The kids on the panel were a very impressive bunch (very accomplished in music or science or business) but also very down to earth and friendly. They talked quite a bit about how supportive the SHC staff is and how close they feel as a group.
Are you any closer to a decision?</p>
<p>Well my cousin is in SHC and four year ago she was also considering between SHC and Columbia. She decided to choose SHC coz as an addition to the money stipend, she also wanted to triple majoring in finance, economics, and math, which she could not do if she attended Columbia. She is almost senior now and she enjoyed the honors business program a lot. At her first-second year of college she did complaining about her economics program-she could not find experts that match her interest in political economics and macro. Most of her economics classes was offered in bigger classes-mixed with non-honors students. Now as she is a senior, she enjoyed her classes more and she worked hard to get to Columbia or Chicago once she graduates.</p>
<p>I'd recommend you to attend not only the honors classes if you visit SHC, but also visit their regular classes and see if you enjoy it. If I were you I would look into Columbia or Berkeley and try to find out if they offer honors programs and try to get into it.</p>
<p>Btw...do Columbia or Berkeley or Michigan offer honors programs?</p>