Boston College vs. University of Richmond -Finance/Accounting

<p>Hey guys, thanks for your time. I know it’s early and I won’t be hearing back for at least a month, but what school would offer the best education and allow me to have the best job placement after graduation? I’m currently interested in majoring in Finance/ double majoring with Accounting, and I’ve done my research on both schools but I want to set aside the numbers and rely on personal experiences to guide me at this point.</p>

<p>Difficulty of classes (for a hard worker who does well in high school), how hard is it to get As in college classes? </p>

<p>Please don’t overly favor the school you went to, but all experiences are welcomed. Thanks!</p>

<p>P.S. Please assume the financial aid offers are equal, I live on the west coast so it’s pretty much the same difference in distance.</p>

<p>Does anybody have anything to say? (10char)</p>

<p>BC is a semi-target if you are trying to get into IB, but U of R has a good alumni base as well and either should give you a good shot. I’m particularly biased for BC since I think it’s more well-known =P.</p>

<p>Haha definitely more well known to people that aren’t involved, well at least I hope in terms of the future. A lot of people hear of schools in Boston, but when I mention Richmond… haha. </p>

<p>Thanks for the reply, I will have to wait and see where I get in, and primarily how much I get from each since that may prove to be the clincher (UR is notorious for great aid), and I’ll have to look into/ask in detail about IB and jobs of the same sort. Thanks again.</p>

<p>My D is a senior Accounting major at BC. Since we (also?) live in So Cal, she wanted to summer intern in CA, which she did this past summer at a Big 4 firm. BC has a really good recruitment program on campus and then follow up mixers on and off campus with local Big 4 recruiters and partners. After flying her out to the west coast, she got offers from 3 of the 4 Big 4 firms. Her GPA during this time was a 3.5. She actually was able to also get a 2nd degree in Information Systems, a really nice compliment to Accounting. I would not classify my D as a “numbers person” per se. Her strengths were always in the liberal arts, but I think she realized early-on that Accounting majors had a nice future with good job prospects for hard workers. She now has a job waiting for her upon graduation.</p>

<p>The Carroll School Of Management is a fairly highly regarded business school nationally, with Accounting ranked even higher overall, and seems to have lots of alumni throughout the country. The only down-side to BC (and I can only think of one) is that they don’t give much in the way of merit-based financial aid. </p>

<p>Best of luck to you!</p>

<p>Thank you very much jshain, you’ve helped me tremendously. Yes, I am also from Southern California haha, and it’s very reassuring to hear that she was able to make it back to the west coast and even have great success finding jobs. My mom is a bit hesitant towards sending me across the country, even though it’s what I think is best for me, so having the option of getting a job at a big 4 on the west coast could work out perfectly. </p>

<p>Merit-based aid isn’t something I’m relying on, since I qualify for a lot of need-based, so I’m hoping BC is generous enough so that I can’t possibly turn the school down haha. I’ve heard great things about BC, and I know it’s comparable to UR in a lot of ways. I really appreciate you taking the time to give me some information that you’re directly familiar with, and a 3.5 gpa is very good, but it’s nice to know you don’t need a 4.0 to have the opportunities your daughter has.</p>

<p>One other thing I will mention to hopefully take some of the pressure off… If you have decided to major in Accounting, you will find that it is a little more about the student than it is about the choice of school. Get good grades, become involved is the business/accounting clubs offered, become an officer in the club if possible, attend the mixers, network with recruiters, be personable, and interview well. It isn’t even all that essential to have an impressive past employment resume. While interning in the Silicon Valley last summer, my D said that CSU’s such as San Jose State, as well as Santa Clara, St Marys of Moraga, and University of the Pacific were all well-represented. In fact, many students attending the more elite schools tend to want to go into the more “glamorous” business fields like I-Banking and the like.</p>

<p>Thanks for your additional reply. Depending on how my ACT score is, which I find out today, I will feel more at ease as to whether it’s feasible for me to get in to either school, or not. I intend to do all of what you mentioned in hopes for setting myself up for success, so thanks for bringing up possible outlets. As for the “glamor,” haha, I was actually hoping to go into I-banking or something similar that would allow me to be compensated for my work ethic and drive. I can definitely see myself in that lifestyle, at least for a part of my life, so I hope to learn more about my passion when I finally get to college.</p>

<p>Silicon Valley is a really nice place, and a very rich one I might add haha. I’m sure you’re very proud of your daughter’s success and I appreciate you being a great source of information for me and anybody else interested in this thread.</p>

<p>I had a daughter at Richmond and have a daughter at BC. Both have outstanding Business schools, but very different college experiences. Richmond is a more welcoming environment, IMO. Students seemed much happier, and were definitely friendlier. Since the school is much smaller it is truely a LAC in feel. BC has the name recognition, is much larger and very northeastern in attitude. A very different vibe than being in the south. You should spend an overnight at both schools and see what feels right for you. That said, both my daughters were very happy with their choices.</p>