<p>I'm a high school senior right now, and my biggest struggle in choosing a college is between IU (Kelley School of Business) and U of MN (Carlson School of Management). I know the rankings put Kelley clearly ahead, but does the difficulty of classes (like A100, Finite, etc.) make it hard to enjoy college? I don't want to party, but I want to be able to enjoy spending some time with friends without schoolwork weighing on my mind. When it comes to Carlson, though its ranking may be worse, the location is ideal and I have found the advising staff to be extremely friendly and helpful. Any suggestions or comparisons?</p>
<p>My suggestion is that both are great schools and you may want to compare costs of attendance. Nobody wants to graduate with so much debt you can’t enjoy your degree!</p>
<p>Which concentration are you looking at, and what do you want to do with your degree? IU is a clear winner for finance and putting students into IB on wall street, and in the Chicago market-particularly if you get into the IB Workshop.
Both are good if you want to get to a Big 4 firm.
Costs being the same, Indiana may be the best way to go.</p>
<p>Going into college worrying about the workload isn’t a very good mindset anyway. If you have good time management, you can, and will have time for everything, including studying, and partying etc.</p>
<p>If your main concern with IU-kelley is more difficult classes will result in a lack of social experience, I don’t think you should worry. I know two people personally who go there, both are fairly intelligent but not exactly Harvard material either. They both did very well, one joined a sorority and had a 3.8 GPA. I think the other was around a 3.6, while involved with a club sport (volleyball). They definitely work hard, but there is time to enjoy too. I’ve heard no complaints of “lack of social life,” if anything, they really enjoy their free time.</p>
<p>Plus, I wouldn’t assume Carlson is a walk in the park. It is a pretty strong b-school, too.</p>
<p>I would go with costs and fit. If one is significantly cheaper, go there. Otherwise, visit both schools and determine which you like better. I would only give Kelley a big advantage if you are really set on Investment Banking. The rankings don’t really matter much otherwise.</p>
<p>Why would Carlson be any easier?</p>
<p>I am interested in finance, and maybe accounting. If I go to IU I will also pursue legal studies. My end goal isn’t certain, but I think I’d like to stay in the Midwest. I’d also like to pursue an MBA and maybe a law career with a tax specialization. Probably corporate business and/or law is the goal. </p>
<p>I am a bit of a perfectionist, so I just wanted to make sure that it is doable to achieve well and have some time to breathe. Thanks!</p>