hello everyone! ive been accepted to both cmu tepper and uva and am having a tough decision deciding. they are both ranked similarly, but i have a feeling that i might like tepper’s courses better since they tend to be more technical.
uva is something my family can afford but I have appealed my financial aid package to cmu so we will see what happens.
does anyone have any opinions? I’ve heard that cmu is depressing and very difficult and, while uva is as well, it is at a lesser degree. I think i would enjoy Pittsburgh tho in comparison to Charlottesville and cmu seems to have more name recognition (but that also isn’t that important).
let me know your thoughts, especially if u go to either of these schools!
I think you look at fit and finance. Talk to kids there. Read reviews…u mention both being depressing. I would hope not. It’s not just about rank. You have to spend four years. You should be inspired.
It’s unlikely yiur aid appeal will work so you are likely headed to uva. A great school btw!! Good luck
It sounds like UVA is more affordable as of right now, and that you might prefer CMU for a few reasons. But, something that is a big issue is that you aren’t accepted to McIntyre (because there is not a direct admit option).
Generally it’s best to take the sure thing (direct admit) if you know you want business. McIntyre admission rate averages around 60% each year and it is holistic. Holistic means there are no guarantees of admission, and some of the decision factors are out of your control. So, for example, you could have a very high GPA and still not be admitted. It is important to McIntyre that they offer admission to a wide range of students while considering academics, race, gender, ECs, etc. Here are the admission stats from the last few years, note the low end of accepted GPAs.
What would be your Plan B if not accepted to McIntyre?
Is Tepper direct admit? Many kids go to UVA with the desire to get into McIntire and don’t - even with 3.8 plus gpa and good ECs. It is highly competitive and they are looking for a very diverse incoming business class (their words) so there is emphasis on that as well, not just accomplishments and accolades.
You have to have a plan B if you go to UVA - since odds of getting into McIntire are not great.
Agree - race, gender, ethnicity, whether US or international, etc. are all stated factors in McIntire admission that are beyond your control. Many high stats kids don’t get in every year and are shocked by it. You have to have a plan B major if you go to UVA for business.
First off a degree from UVA especially McIntire would not be viewed as inferior to CMU. These are very much peer schools with each having different strengths.
As a parent of a 2nd year student at UVA who was just denied admission to McIntire with a 3.7 GPA, I can tell you the acceptance rate is deceiving. She went into this eyes wide open knowing the possibility existed and she was fine with an Econ degree. She had guaranteed admission to CSOM at BC and opted to go to UVA.
She knows of plenty of students with a 3.8 or higher who were denied admission and under 3.6 who were accepted.
If undergrad business is the end-all-be-all go to CMU because there are no guarantees with McIntire…
Tons of kids major in “econ” instead of business - and frankly, for consulting, it’s better. UVA also has two minors for all kids in the Commerce school, although not hard core business.
Personally, I think it comes to two things:
Money - too many go where they can’t afford. I would not assume you will get more money on appeal from CMU. If you do great, but mentally, you should be prepared for the likelihood it won’t happen.
Fit - you are spending many thousands and then spending four years and you say - I’ve heard that CMU is depressing.
I would talk to kids before assuming but why would you invest x thousands of dollars and four years to be subjected to that - if true. My guess is “challenging”, “motivating” and I’m sure a lot of frustration but if you walk in thinking it’s miserable, you’d be better off going to Kansas State - because Princeton Review named them happiest.
You have two fantastic choices - but to everyone chasing ranking - there is sooooooo much more. It’s not worth getting depressed from a rigorous school.
Rigor is great - just make sure you are ready because it doesn’t sound like it.