Based on the colleges I got into this year I have narrowed my decision down to two choices: Cornell University’s college of arts and sciences and University of Michigan’s Ross business school. My interests are mathematics, computer science, and finance, and I hope to maybe become a quantitative analyst one day.
At Cornell I would probably major in mathematics with a concentration in operations research, while at Ross I would get a bachelor’s in business administration with maybe a minor in mathematics. I was wondering which school would have better placement on Wall Street, but I also was wondering which college would have the more enjoyable experience.
@soymilk23 If it was any other ivy i would say the ivy without thinking about it, but I would take a moment to think more about Cornell vs Ross. in the end i would still say Cornell though. Cornell has extremely good placement on Wall-Street and it is more of a target school than UMich Ross. Also you will probably get a better overall education. UMich is a phenomenal school but I wouldn’t really choose it over the ivies for your areas interest. Unless of course there is a substantial financial aid difference or sth major like that, in which case UMich is an excellent choice over any ivy.
@Penn95 Thanks for your input. I haven’t received my financial aid from Cornell yet, but I got absolutely nothing except for a couple thousand dollars in loans from Michigan since I’m out of state. Since Cornell says they meet financial need I would expect to get a decent amount.
Does anyone have any input on aspects of social life at either university? A big reason why I’m still considering Michigan is because of the reputation of Ann Arbor as a great college town and Michigan’s amazing sports culture.
That is true. Ann Arbor is a great college town and UMich has a great social culture. Cornell is one of the more social ivies, and the campus is gorgeous. I would say Ann Arbor is a nicer town than Ithaca.
Hi @soymilk23, I can’t speak to the social life at Cornell, but I can tell you alllll about Ann Arbor. I don’t go to UM (yet?), but I live in A2, and yes, it is everything it is cracked up to be. UM is integrated seamlessly into the town, so you’re really becoming part of both communities when you go to UM. The sports are pretty epic, and that makes students very proud of their school. I would say that UM offers a very well-rounded college experience, if that’s what you’re looking for. However, I know pretty much nothing about Cornell, so I can’t compare.
I am an alumnus of both Cornell and Michigan. They are identical in terms of quality, prestige, professional placement opportunities, resources etc…When it comes to those two schools go for the cheaper option if cost is a concern, otherwise go with your gut.
I cannot imagine a better combination than a dual degree in Business from Ross and Mathematics or Computer Science from LSA.
It is manageable, but depending in how many AP credits Michigan grants you, it could require (1) extra effort on your part and/or (2) an extra semester to graduate.
Wait until you get the financial aid offers… if one is substantially cheaper, go there.
If they are comparable in cost, go visit and go with your gut.
I don’t think either will unlock more doors than the other for your future career (and dispute the notion that somehow Cornell is more sought on Wall Street than Michigan.)
@soymilk23 Either one can get you to Wall Street. I agree that cheaper is better, but I would lean toward Cornell. I like the Mathematics and Ops research though.
I would take at least a couple CS courses if you can fit it in. You don’t need a minor, but a couple courses will help.
soymilk27 a math major is different by far than a business major. Worry a lot more about do you really want a mathematics major at Cornell, and why not at Michigan? Mathematics majors will require you to work hard. An undergraduate business degree is less valuable down the road, in comparison, unless you are taking a lot of quantitative classes. At Michigan I take it you would take a lot of math though. Do you want an MBA? Then the harder major of mathematics will go a long way if its paired with a great job option in NYC later, for a few years and then your application to Wharton etc. Cornell is very tied to New York city and opening a new campus on Roosevelt Island , Cornell Tech. Look into Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island. Its located at Google in NYC right now. Its pretty far from the Ithaca campus, but looks interesting to me: https://tech.cornell.edu/
I am very familiar with both schools, as I am an alum of one and I have a child at the other. Cornell Arts & Sciences and Michigan Ross will be VERY different experiences academically. Ross is very preprofessional. It’s almost like an employee training program with some academics sprinkled in. If you double major with math, which is in LSA, you actually would be doing a dual degree, meaning that you would be graduating with a BBA from Ross and a BA (or BS?) in math.
At Cornell Arts & Sciences you’d be taking a more traditional course of study. It also has a lot of distribution requirements. My recommendation is to make a spread sheet of the exact classes you’d have to take (or requirements you’d have to fulfill) every year at each college. Which looks more interesting? Which one gets you more excited? That will make the decision for you (outside of the financial aspect).
Of course you can always go to Michigan and major in math there. You can minor in business at Ross if you want. There will be plenty of Wall St. opportunities with an undergrad math major.