<p>Now that I've heard back from all of my schools, these are the top 5 I'm considering. Cost is similar among all 5 schools, and not really a huge factor. I want to get into investment banking, so prestige is pretty important, but I believe all these schools offer me a chance to become an i-banker (some moreso than others). I plan to visit all schools within the next month. I do enjoy sports (where UVa and UMich have an advantage) but it's not a deal-breaker at the other schools. Thoughts?</p>
<p>I would go with Brown! Amazing school and amazing experience - plus it has the prestige!</p>
<p>Bump</p>
<p>Definitely Brown.</p>
<p>Yes, Brown, before you visit. If you think you can fit in with its quirky, bright, progressive students and faculty. One of the finest schools for a certain kind of 18yo. Opportunities out the ying-yang. Don’t look back. Root for the Red Sox and Bruins and Celtics if you must have sports. </p>
<p>After you visit, you’ll know much better where you belong. Congratulations on having such fine choices.</p>
<p>I would pick UVA or Michigan personally. Both UVA/Michigan have strong business schools and have more of a traditional college experience. They also have good recruiting and alumni networks for finance. ACC basketball or football games in the Big House would also be a great experience. </p>
<p>Ah…investment banking. The job that is neither involving investments nor banking. You’ll probably NOT want to do this after a summer or 2 years of it, but prestige/recruiting matters here. The banks should be recruiting from all of them. UVA and UMich have top undergrad biz programs. Brown is obviously ivy league but I actually didn’t encounter that many in my investment banking days. Plenty of Princeton art history majors and Wharton kids. So that might help out of novelty. But I’m also guessing there are no finance classes at Brown. </p>
<p>The good news is that none of these schools would open/close doors relative to each other. They are pretty comparable. You won’t get a i-banking job solely b/c you went to any of these schools. You’ll have to compete for it just like anything else, so I think it really comes down to which one you prefer. Personally, I’d choose UVA/UMich over Brown/WashU, but that’s just me.</p>
<p>I’m speaking more so from the business side of things. My perspective comes from living in NYC, San Fran and Boston. If you want hardcore liberal arts stuff, you already know the answer of where to go. </p>
<p>Definitely Michigan or UVA.</p>
<p>“ACC basketball or football games in the Big House would also be a great experience.”</p>
<p>…and B1G basketball games at Crisler, and B1G hockey games at Yost…etc.</p>
<p>Personally, I’d choose Brown but that’s because I like the open curriculum, smaller size, and volunteer ethos that pervades the culture. I have no idea if you value the same things.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that even at the biggest football schools, only around seven weekends of the year are spent tailgating and going to home games. Though these can be an enjoyable seven days, the overwhelming majority of your free time in college will not be spent cheering for your adopted sports team. </p>
<p>Brown or UVA. Might also depend where you live, if you are by the east coast, go UVA over Michigan.</p>
<p>Brown has the prestige advantage but UVA and UMich have good recruiting opportunities too. I would rule out Emory and Wash U.</p>