Great schools…it’s a great problem to have. For that particular major/area of interest, I would probably pick UNC. A couple of thoughts (from a former UNC econ major):
-KF is better than McDonough. Getting into KF can be a challenge, have to be good about doing well in the filter classes.
-If you dont get into KF, there are a couple of good fall back majors that work out just fine. Personally I was an econ major from the outset (I knew I wanted a MBA eventually); one thing I liked was that I could take my electives at KF which were a great complement to my major and came in handy for interviews and first jobs. You can also complement with professional clubs and organizations.
-In-state tuition at UNC is such a bargain. Quite a big delta in the annual cost versus Georgetown; that money can be deployed in a variety of ways.
-UNC is a state school and can be impersonal in the first two years as you learn how to navigate the system. Since you’re from NC, your daughter will have a ready made network of some kind. Then again, some kids want a fresh start further away. G’town is far enough for that, but still a relatively short drive away from NC. Going to college in DC is plenty of fun and G’town has a special vibe.
@canyons - I would ask - does your daughter know what consulting is? Who employs consultants? That covers a vast array of organizations and specialties.
I see others giving experience about I-Banking, etc. but you note in this message consulting and both marketing and / or org behavior (also two different things). And consultants aren’t necessarily in NY - and in fact, are often from home and are project based - flying into god knows where and living out of a suitcase for months on end.
Often kids say - I want to be in consulting, I-Banking or PE - in this case you state consulting - so just curious, what does that mean to your daughter?
A McKinsey, a BCG or a brand consultancy (more like an agency since she says marketing). Many consultants are IT implementation or business restructuring or could be marketing and many more things.
I see they have consulting as an emphasis area at UNC which is interesting - so would attract students like this.
One other thought - I see they have a business minor. It doesn’t state if it’s an auto admission or not (it’s lumped with major as competitive but maybe far less so??. Perhaps you may talk to an admissions advisor, and if you decide UNC is right for the family, then perhaps an alternate major with minor (if a given) could work as a fallback if you gamble on UNC.
The other question mark remains (to me) Ga Tech - from your first message. You haven’t been rejected and maybe good news will come. That splits the cost atom down the middle (about $50K-ish) and perhaps that gives you another “elite” opportunity you seek that will bring you more comfort cost wise.
I see the entire thread has revolved around UNC vs Georgetown but I saw your D was deferred from GT. Has she sent a LOCI? It could be a nice option. S20 was deferred and then admitted RD to Scheller. Many of the top firms recruit there.
It’s direct admit and small. I think around 300-400 enroll each year. There are ways to reduce the $50k/year COA. Study abroad only pays in-state rates. Lots of internships and co-ops. Graduating in 3 years is definitely doable if she has AP credits. S20 transferred to ISyE and most likely will graduate in 3 years. Not for everyone but in his case not a big deal. It works in the UK.
This is true - especially given that everyone at UNC has the academic chops.
In my daughter’s experience, there were rumored “hooks” that could aid your admittance (taking certain intro level business classes before applying for instance, but those are next to impossible to get as an underclassman, so my D took them during the summer, which meant the additional cost of tuition & housing). She also got herself an unpaid internship working for a program director at KF. The director had nothing to do with admissions, but it allowed my daughter to get the lay of the land and interact with others at KF. Additionally, pre-Covid, they did in-person admission interviews, which my daughter excels at. Post-Covid, interviews have been via Zoom or Skype. It can be more of a challenge to make an impression over a computer screen. It used to be that students had two chances to apply to KF, so if they didn’t get in during the first round, they could try again. Not sure if that is still the case.
Wow, so many diverse responses with wonderful insights. Glad I asked here to get input from this community. This is definitely helping me to think through and bring clarity.
We are funded for either of the schools. We had thought through this scenario while preparing the college list. Now that it is reality, we are revisiting - the significant cost difference and not having direct admit to major. Also, as some of you mentioned, may be we save the money for other things in future, including MBA. Some have already advised us that undergrad Business is not enough and many go on to get an MBA.
For my query if either schools will reconsider -based on the responses, the answer I guess is No.
Yes, that is the only reason. If she had got into KF then it would have been an easy choice. The uncertainty and again going through competitive application process is unnerving!
Good point on standing out. It is not where you go but what you do once you are there that also matters.
No, I was referring to the internal transfer to KF at UNC. I would not start at GT(or anywhere, except possibly the conditional acceptance that Cornell does) with the idea of transferring. Barring a really bad landing / other big change, it’s almost always better to pick a path and commit to being successful on that path.
I agree with the other posters that making a decision w/o a final call on GTech doesn’t make sense (deferred ≠ denied!).
I am one of those people who feels the coursework between economics and business is drastically different. That would be a major issue if I was heading to college. I would 100% have needed real business.
Since your student does not seem to have have the same academic need that I would have - you should do exactly what you want to do. Both schools offer fine preparation for consulting or whatever else becomes her career pursuit.
Thank you, will definitely pursue GTech. Not yet researched on what to include in LOCI. We will research and send it out.
Some people mentioned that deferral is 99% denied. But I did not believe it. Glad to hear some first hand experience of deferral and admit in RD.
A deferral from GT is definitely not a no. Don’t quote me but 20-30% sticks in my mind. Not great odds but not slim. Did you send a FAFSA? Full pay might bump your odds.
Unfortunately, you’re not really in a position to negotiate GTown has thousands of alternates in case you choose another school. They sort of expect that. It doesn’t hurt to ask, as long as it doesn’t jeopardize you acceptance at the other school. Don’t expect them to change their mind on anything.
I can’t speak to the financial aid part, but personally the fact that these hyper-competitive schools can’t simply tell a student if they are in the program or not is bewildering to me. D applied OOS to UNC for business and was denied along with everyone else we know. I myself did not want her essentially hitting the “reset” button on an admissions process one semester into college. Congrats on all. Great choices. But my 2 cents is the kind of kids getting into these schools have done quite enough to prove themselves. I think the need to apply separately to Biz school is very off-putting.
Agreed. When we looked at UNC the Admissions Officer told us it is extremely competitive to be admitted to the business school. I think the schools which offer direct admit would be a less stressful option.
GTown has thousands of alternates in case you choose another school. They sort of expect that. It doesn’t hurt to ask, as long as it doesn’t jeopardize you acceptance at the other school. Don’t expect them to change their mind on anything.