<p>Im not worried about price or size or relgious affiliation, I was just wondering how the two compare. I want to major in finance, and I like BC because of the location. But I understand that UVA is more prestigious. Can anyone give any insight as to what seems to be the better option especially for a finance major? </p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>Part of what you want to consider is where you hope to end up AFTER your school years. Both are very highly respected. One aspect of attending a college is the contacts you develop. Those contacts will help with jobs and so on down the line. While both schools will serve you very well as far as reputation and education, there may be some value to weighing geographic advantage. The schools are very different in terms of environment-from urban to almost rural. Which is a better fit for you?</p>
<p>Dowzer, I liked boston college because it isnt completely in the city but very close to boston. This is why my decision is very hard: i think the geography is better for me for boston college, but i have heard from many that virginia is a better school academically.</p>
<p>I went to UVA and I have lived in Boston. I worked in finance. UVA does carry some more prestige but I don’t think there would be any difference having one or the other on your resume when looking for a job in finance. IMO.</p>
<p>Why do you think that UVa. is more prestigious than BC ?</p>
<p>Ive been told that it is a more prestigious school from many forums and ranking sites especially in finance.</p>
<p>Interesting. I thought that BC might be more prestigious in the Northeastern US.</p>
<p>This is an interesting thread. I, too, am interested in majoring in Finance. I honestly have UVA slightly higher on my list because I feel that McIntire may be more well rounded than Carroll. I think Carroll (and Boston in general) is very Finance/Accounting orientated. So although this is nice for my intended major, I worry that if I decide to switch (possibly management, supply chain), BC wouldn’t be a great choice. I think I prefer UVAs college town aspect, although I love the city of Boston. Either way, can’t really go wrong between BC and UVA. The two programs seem to be extremely comparable especially in Finance. I think in terms of overall brand name/prestige, UVA prevails. But in the world of Finance, especially those who are in the Northeast, people will probably respect both programs equally.</p>
<p>All and all, I would go with the school that fits your personality best. Which environment will you thrive in?</p>
<p>If you expect to have many AP credits, take a good look at BC’s AP policy. As of a couple years ago when I last looked, they made it very hard to use AP credits. Last I looked, UVa did not have any maximum on the amount of AP credits you can use.</p>
<p>Also, with any religious-based college, take a look at the required religion classes. I know students complain at another Catholic college about how many religious classes they have to take, which cuts down on their electives their first year.</p>
<p>In addition, remember that you will be attending college during the coldest and darkest months of the year. Going to college in a northern climate could be a little depressing for some students.</p>
<p>UVA… I have never heard Boston College and the word prestigious used in the same sentence.</p>
<p>1) McIntire name carries weight in the financial industry.</p>
<p>2) So many companies recruit from UVA! Just today I was randomly browsing the Oliver Wyman careers page and they only recruit from 13 schools in the United States, UVA being one of them.</p>
<p>The only con about UVA is that there is no guarantee that you will be accepted into the business school. </p>
<p>Hope this somewhat biased answer helps :P</p>
<p>In the end, you are successful because of who you are, not because of the school you attend.</p>
<p>^The fact that UVA isn’t even near a city isn’t a con? </p>
<p>I’m not denying that people come to Virginia and recruit all the time. But being in the city, such as Boston, has its benefits. Boston is one of the largest financial capitals in the nation, behind NY and Chicago.</p>
<p>Interesting thread. Our D narrowed her list of acceptances to three: BC, UVA, and Northwestern. Each school is fabulous, and it was a tough decision. BC was the first to fall off the list. Why? Well, she would have been in their honors program, and she wasn’t crazy about the required humanities classes. Yes, she wouldn’t have to take as many as the regular BC student; however, she said, “I don’t really like history, English, or religion classes. I’ve killed myself in high school taking everything AP so I would have the opportunity to take more of the classes I enjoy.” She also wanted to be involved in a sorority, and the Jesuit schools don’t offer a Greek system. She, like you, loved Boston (southerner), but the perks of the other two schools outweighed the urban area. The last “con” about BC was the split campus. Lots of people love living on Newton, but she wasn’t thrilled at the idea of riding a bus every morning and didn’t want to live in honors housing on the main campus; she wanted to branch out of the bubble. </p>
<p>Both schools offer lots of school spirit and tradition, but UVA with the Jefferson/history influence, gets the edge. She loves the fact that everyone goes to the games, and most are warm enough to enjoy (unlike NU). She didn’t have to fulfill any humanities pre-reqs (Echols), but she had everything done through AP so even if she weren’t Echols, UVa gave her the flexibility the others didn’t. (BTW…I encouraged her to explore a variety of classes and give the humanities another chance – that’s what college is about after all. FWIW, she’s still pursuing med school (Human Bio major), but she also fell in love with her English and Religious Studies courses and will have a second major/minor.)</p>
<p>In the end, several people thought she was crazy turning down NU, but we supported her decision and said it’s got to be about fit. The cream always rises to the top, and you’ve got to be happy. I think you can’t go wrong with either school. Make a pro-con list and follow your heart. Good luck!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I didn’t know Richmond or DC weren’t cities. ;)</p>
<p>OP, I go to McIntire. BC/Carroll is a great school but to be honest we have better recruiting than they do. Charlottesville’s location is not an issue at all when it comes to employers wanting to come down here.</p>
<p>Well, what is the point of being near or in a city if you aren’t even recruited by companies in that city. I mean correct me if I am wrong, but the Boston Consulting Group does not have a recruiting page for Boston College…</p>
<p>Unless you are referring to another benefit of living in a city :)</p>
<p>Knights, I didn’t mean to be arrogant by saying UVA wasn’t near a city. But I don’t think Richmond or DC are huge financial districts… Correct me if I’m wrong though. </p>
<p>I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if BCG had some BC recruits. I wouldn’t bet on it, but BCG is only one of many companies in Boston.</p>
<p>Again, not trying to diminish UVA’s great program. I realize that they do extremely well in recruiting, possibly better than BC. I wouldn’t ignore BCs advantage in terms of location, though.</p>
<p>That said, I would still give UVA the edge.</p>
<p>I know you weren’t being arrogant. Richmond and DC aren’t as big as NYC or Boston, but they still have substantial finance communities, and UVA places better in NYC than BC does anyways. BCG doesn’t recruit at BC.</p>
<p>I know you’re not trying to diminish anything, I’m just saying that location really shouldn’t be a factor unless you’re the type of person to take the T into the city and knock on doors and cold call people looking for opportunities during the school year. Most people, to be honest, aren’t. </p>
<p>As far as recruiting goes, McIntire beats Carroll in pretty much every category whether it’s employment percentage, median salary, placement in fields like IB or consulting, percentage of grads that go to top tier firms, etc.</p>
<p>Not being argumentative, just throwing some facts out to help people like you and OP make decisions.</p>
<p>Location should be a factor if one prefers an urban environment over a small town. Boston College is by no means a slouch in finance. Many of their undergrads work in investment banking, portfolio management, banking and other finance positions:</p>
<p>Class of 2011, Median salaries by top ten fields of employment
Employment field Number
reporting
Median
salary Salary range
Investment Banking (Mergers and Acquisitions) 16 $70,000 $50,000 - $125,000
Investment Banking (Corporate Finance) 20 $70,000 $32,000 - $75,000
Consulting 43 $60,000 $38,000 - $72,080
Accounting (Public) 24 $55,000 $52,000 - $62,000
Auditing (Public) 18 $55,000 $52,000 - $59,000
Financial/Treasury Analysis 19 $55,000 $42,000 - $65,000
Portfolio Management/Brokerage 19 $55,000 $40,000 - $70,000
Marketing - Sales 12 $50,000 $30,000 - $100,000
Teaching 33 $40,000 $12,000 - $53,890
Research (Technical/Scientific) 12 $32,250 $26,000 - $55,000</p>
<p>While Richmond and DC have finance communities I don’t think many people would use the term “substantial” to describe the level of activity. The type of work done in the DC area is usually financial transactions that are too small to be profitable for NY firms. DC and Richmond are definitely small ponds in the seas of the financial world.</p>
<p>I never said BC was a slouch, but they have a smaller percentage of students getting the types of jobs that people usually think about when they are considering top undergraduate business schools (banking, consulting) than UVA does. </p>
<p>Again, I am not saying BC is a slouch, just that UVA does better.</p>
<p>Kights09 is definitely right about that.</p>
<p>“they have a smaller percentage of students getting the types of jobs that people usually think about when they are considering top undergraduate business schools (banking, consulting) than UVA does.”</p>
<p>Is this your opinion or are you basing this statement on published information?</p>