<p>So, by reading the thread title you could probably tell I'm interested in pursuing business. I have narrowed down by decision to BU, Rutgers, and Penn State. Rutgers is in-state for me so it would cost about 26,000. BU would be 50,000+ whereas Penn State would be 42,000. At Penn State, I was also admitted to Penn State's so-called Business honors program called The Sapphire Leadership Program @ Smeal College of Business. My dad has agreed to pay Rutgers price everywhere I go.</p>
<p>However, what's making me nervous (besides the $$$), is that many articles are being written that companies and MBA programs are preferring critical thinkers, more engineers as opposed to business undergraduate majors. I want to be able to build my critical thinking skills, yet at the same time confirm my interest in finance, economics, accounting, etc. </p>
<p>What do you recommend I do in terms of major? Should I pursue computer science, biomed engineering, or something of that sort? Which university seems the best choice for me in the long-run?</p>
<p>To me BU would be out at $50k. Penn St would have to show that they could produce $64k in value for me to pay the premium. Do they in your mind?</p>
<p>I’m not sure if Penn State could produce$64k for me. They gave me the leadership program so that may help, but I don’t know if that can get 60,000+ in salary. But wouldn’t Rutgers fall in the same boat as Penn State. I doubt it could produce me 64,000 as well.</p>
<p>That is a good point. But will Rutgers give me the name to get a high-paying job and be a competitive applicant to top mba programs? At Rutgers I will not have any honors or distinction from the start, I will be just another one of the 600 students in the freshman class at the b-school. I should have pointed out before that I feel at home at both Rutgers and BU, but somewhat isolated at PSU as campus is in rural area and hindu population is very small. With that said, which is worth the investment: Rutgers or BU?</p>
<p>Two of the most successful people I know went to Widener (He makes about $5 million a year in the financial industry) and Rider University (He is a senior executive at a major global company)</p>
<p>It is not about the college it is about you.</p>
<p>Do you think it is still wise to pursue undergrad business, or should I look at my options toward engineering? I’m no expert, but I’m pretty good at physics and mathematics.</p>
<p>NONE of them will give you a leg up toward a prestige MBA program, because virtually none of the prestige MBA programs will accept you right out of college. They’ll want to know what you’ve done in the working world first. </p>
<p>If Dad is only paying the Rutgers price, it means you will have a minimum of $64k in loans (that he will have to cosign!) anywhere else. Do you have any idea what that means? Go to an amortization chart, plug in $64k at 9% (if you can get), repay over 10 years, and see what comes up. The reason I am not giving you the number is that if you are serious B-student, you should be able to do this for yourself.</p>
<p>If you think having 600 students at Rutgers in the b-school is a problem, you should see PSU! </p>
<p>BU is 100K+ in loans for you. Plug in the numbers, and get back to us.</p>
<p>I realize that MBA programs require at least two years work experience. I guess the better question to then ask is this: Which school will help me land the better, prestigious, and top MBA program appealing job?</p>
<p>I realize PSU is bigger, but I was offered admission to their leadership/ “business-honors” program. Therefore, it makes a big school, a whole lot smaller.</p>
<p>I also plugged in numbers for loan and they are astronomical with interest rates. I would be paying them off each month for approximately 15 years after graduation. Considering all the numbers, I’m sure you suggest Rutgers is my best option.</p>
<p>bball- I think what mini put so eloquently is the most helpful to you. Taking everything in to account, Rutgers is the best choice. Not because it’s the cheapest, but because you have a very real desire to continue your education and getting an MBA will not be cheap. I’d be more willing to recommend you choose your dream school if you were fairly certain that a Bachelor’s degree is going to be it for you. Then you’d have a chance to work and pay off your debt. However, since you are thinking exactly the opposite, I would recommend you go to Rutgers. </p>
<p>Rutgers is nothing to sneeze at. Some of the best public school students in the country come out of NJ, and many of them go to Rutgers. It’s got an amazing undergraduate body of students in my opinion.</p>
<p>Also lots of companies in Rutgers vicinity to secure actual work whether for internships during the summer or p/t work during the yr. Penn St doesn’t have a metro area nearby.</p>
<p>Penn State is very well respected for business, very strong alumni network and excellent in placement… BU not worth the extra cost and not familiar with Rutgers program. My own experience is with children of friends who have graduated. One from Lehigh and works for major corporation with many Penn State business alum, who have “adopted” him as one of their own to root for Penn, similar with friend’s son who graduated from University of Florida who works for hedge fund…</p>
<p>So essentially undergraduate is what you make of it. I agree the pricetag for BU is overwhelming. However, I am reluctant to pass on the leadership program Penn State offered me and choose Rutgers. I do not have anything against Rutgers, I actually wouldn’t mind studying there the next four years. I just want to make sure I make the best decision. Do I pursue Sapphire Leadership Program?</p>
<p>the program also comes with 3.5 gpa requirement and 3.5 gpa requirement to pursue finance major. I am also considering pursuing dual degree, but at penn state admissions said that would take 4+ years.</p>
<p>It looks like a fine program. Breakfast, ropes course, a couple of leadership seminars, and some worthwhile alumni networking. It is also in State College, where there is virtually no chance of in-term internships, and outside the New York-Philadelphia-DC corridor where you can easily meet working alumni on their turf. 3.5 gpa in order to pursue the major you want?</p>
<p>I had a d. who was an international business major. I wouldn’t have had her take out an additional $64k in loans for this program with these requirements. (Whether I would have been willing to pay for it, I can’t say, as I wouldn’t have had the money.)</p>