<p>So here's the dilemma:</p>
<p>I have just been accepted for transfer to Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations (totally not expecting I'd get in) as well as University of Washington's Foster School of Business (Finance). Currently waiting for USC Marshall School of Business also. </p>
<p>As you know, these schools are incredibly different from one another. ILR is more focused on law and labor econ, while UW is the typical business education. The student bodies and atmospheres are also worlds apart, as Cornell is an elite-y private school in the east coast while UW is a huge public school in the northwest. </p>
<p>I am definitely pursuing a career in business (most likely in finance). Should I go to Cornell for the brand name and networking opportunities, even though I won't be studying "business?" Or should I go to UW and focus solely on finance (where I'll probably have access to companies like Microsoft, Boeing, Amazon, Nordstrom, Starbucks)? Oh and btw, I'm from Seattle.</p>
<p>Haha I am in the exact same situation as you. I would go with ILR for both reputation and because it is a unique field that will stand out from typical business majors when applying to grad school. However, I don’t think ILR has very many finance classes.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. Well I know that ILR is flexible in the fact that it allows you to take many electives. IF I end up going, I’ll probably take AEM and Hotel finance classes. I’m just worried cause if I end up going to Cornell, I’d be in pretty significant debt (think $30-50K), whereas if I go to the UW I’d be in no debt at all.</p>
<p>Your major won’t be as much of an issue if you plan on getting an MBA later on (if UW is a feeder school). Many businessmen never majored in business specifically, but instead worked in a business related field after graduating then continued on to get MBAs, and from my friends and family’s experiences, many of them (in their 20s) did a science undergrad, bot got internships in other fields like law and accounting, then went to graduate schools in either med, comp sci, and finance. They didn’t have trouble with finding internships outside of their field, and kept reminding me that employers just want to see that “Bachelor’s Degree” tag posted on your resume, and you can explain your goals in your interviews. Hope that gives you some insight!</p>
<p>I am applying as a transfer to UW’s Foster School of Business too, but I’m from out of state so the price is pretty steep. If you don’t mind me asking, what are the main selling points and strengths of foster?</p>
<p>I imagine that it’s too late now (this thread is old), but even if Cornell is better, it’s clearly not $30K-$50K better than UW. With the exception of just a few elite programs, no degree is worth that large of an increment over an already excellent school like UW.</p>
<p>Actually DrExPat, I’m still deciding! Cornell is pretty much giving me the summer to decide as they have not yet evaluated my financial aid reward. The $30-50K was an estimate given by the financial aid calculator on Cornell’s website.</p>
<p>Chuantu, thanks for the reply. I’m hearing from many people that undergraduate degrees indeed do not really matter that much. Additionally, the ILR program still somewhat relates to the world of business, studying the way in which people interact in a business setting, which interests me because I’m very much a people person. But is this worth the potential massive debt that I may have to undertake?.. that is the question.</p>
<p>The Foster school is by far the strongest business program in the Pacific NW and one of the strongest in the West Coast. Foster places huge emphasis on team-work and community, and this is reflected by small class sizes as well as the new design of the Paccar building which encourages collaboration. Seattle is an interesting and exciting city in the fact that it’s home to corporate giants such as Microsoft, Boeing, Amazon, Starbucks, etc., and Foster has developed a good pipeline into these companies. All of Foster’s business options are strong, the strongest probably being accounting (Big 4 companies, esp. Deloitte recruit here), and other standouts include the international business program (CISB), and entrepreneurship. Foster is also doing a lot of construction and re-imaging as its trying to revamp itself, so if you transfer here you’ll be a part of the excitement!</p>