<p>It looks pretty good to me if you want to end up as a trader or work in the stock market. Maybe, I'm wrong, though.</p>
<p>Bentley is very good if you want to go into trading or finance related professions. </p>
<p>I was actually originally going to attend Bentley College but decided Penn State was better for me after I decided to switch majors. Big mistake as I now realize Bentley is a terrific school.</p>
<p>Bentley is ranked #20 for accounting and #13 for Computer Information Systems nationally. Additionally they have the 47th best business program overall nationally. The overall ranking will probably rise due to their growing national reputation.</p>
<p>What makes Bentley unique is its stress on technology integrated with business. No other business school integrates as much technology in the business profession. The trading room is an excellent resource used by students and Fortune 500 as well as other public companies to monitor their IPO's when going public.</p>
<p>The campus is beautifully set on a hill (it makes walking a pain in the as*) but the views from the top are amazing.</p>
<p>As a plus the school is 20 minutes outside of boston and easily accessbile via a free hourly shuttle to Harvard Square or by car.</p>
<p>Bentley was seen as a less selective and backup alternative to Babson but it offers a much broader business education and focuses more on technology than entreprenurial studies. It is also more a typical school. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>My son is in the Bentley Class of 2009. It is an excellent school. Excellent facilities, great use of technology, excellent internship program, new library and gym. Profs seem quite approachable. Son goes to Boston a couple of times a week on the frequent bus runs. Only real downside (in our opinion) is the fact that it is pretty much a business only school, so while you can major in other things...you probably want to look elsewhere if you are not pretty sure about business.</p>
<p>Feel free to post any questions you might have.</p>
<p>My impression is that Bentley is also known for entrepeneurship (not just finance/trading). It is a bucolic, hilly-ish campus, small. There are limited, but some, offerings outside business. S' quantitatively-lopsided friend received good aid package from them, sending him there instead of WPI. Have not heard back yet re how he likes it (freshman).</p>
<p>yeah most people there are very strong at math but are not the smartest of the pack when it comes to english and writing. That is true of probably all business majors just because of the business skills.</p>
<p>Is anyone familiar with the Wall Street 101 summer program?
<a href="http://www.bentley.edu/camp/wallst.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://www.bentley.edu/camp/wallst.cfm</a></p>
<p>BL1, what area of business is your son interested in? What does he think of his fellow classmates?
How is the social scene?</p>
<p>Dunkaroo, what did you change your major too?</p>
<p>Business management and Penn State is top 20 for that. Penn State is ranked 9th for business management.</p>
<p>Dunkaroo, how are you liking Penn State?</p>
<p>well I don't like it personally because I'm not into the whole frat scene with tailgating and watching football and don't like not having a city to go into. If you enjoy frat parties, a large school atmosphere, tailgating and watching sports and don't mind not having a city I strongly suggest Penn State for business purposes because it is a truly wonderful program.</p>
<p>Nice facilities, approachable faculty, no TAs, direct admission to any major, academically serious but not overwhelming, well-run, rising reputation; these are my observations as a dad looking with/for his daughter (ED). I couldn't find any significant negatives. We looked at more than 20 of its peers, and found Bentley to be the most attractive for us.</p>
<p>nightfly, why did you like Bentley more than Babson? What were some of the other schools your daughter looked at?</p>
<p>What major is your daughter thinking of?</p>
<p>My son is going to major in either Accounting or Corporate Finance and Accounting. He may take a second major in Liberal Studies which is a new major this year which aims to "round out" the business centered education more.</p>
<p>He has found the social scene fine with plenty to do most weekends...he goes into Boston quite a bit to see friends from town who went to other schools in the area. They (roommate and friends) go into Harvard Square just for dinner some nights. Yes, there is some joking about the high male/female ratio...but not complaining.</p>
<p>He likes the other kids there. I agree with someone else's comments that the classes are excellent...but not overwhelming. The use of technology in almost every class via the laptop program is really a big differentiator (IMO). Yes, there are a fair number of "rich kids" there...but it does not seem to be an issue (with my son).</p>
<p>I should also add that my daughter has Bentley high on her list too. She is looking at the same majors as my son. She is currently a senior.</p>
<p>dstark, You may want to read the message board for Babson under the alphabetical college list. There were some recent posts about the school.</p>
<p>otoh (having visited the Babson threads) when the posts are dominated by two-three kids (and at least one with an axe to grind), I'm not sure how useful they are. Much of the discussion on that board focuses on the rich kid atmosphere. I only know two kids personally who go there: one from an affluent family, but not the bratty rich-kid type portrayed on the thread; one the son of a school teacher - nothing like what's portrayed there. I have trouble imagining that these two stick out like a sore thumb.</p>
<p>jmmom, I agree. This is why I pointed out that on a survey via another website, I noted that 12% of families make under 25,000 and 21% make over 200,000. Everyone else's family fell in the middle of those numbers. It is a survey, and so I do not know how accurate it is.</p>
<p>Northeastmom and jmmom I agree with you that the survey could very well be accurate. the only difference is where there is a need to flaunt wealth (Babson) people are placed under a drastically different impression. That is why I point out that it gives you a warped perception of the world because it seems as if everyone can afford to buy a brand new $50,000 car for their kids when they are up to their noses in loans and money which they have to pay back. I'm sure people do this just to fit in, but in reality they are stretching to the edge of their means to be able to do what they are doing.</p>
<p>There is a difference betweent he truly wealthy and those who come off as wealthy. </p>
<p>dStark if these factors appeal more to you I suggest Bentley over Babson:</p>
<ul>
<li>Larger school (4,000 vs. roughly 2,000 kids)</li>
<li>Higher gpa chances which leads to potential better grad school options</li>
<li>A more well rounded business education (not just entrepreneurship)</li>
<li>Ability to now major in a liberal arts field</li>
<li>stronger individual programs in finance & accounting which is better for trading and other finance related activity</li>
<li>more technology focused</li>
<li>If you don't mind a slightly lower overall ranking which is solely based on peer assessment by deans and faculty of other business programs</li>
<li>A party and yet serious academic environment</li>
<li>A school with money but not in your face </li>
</ul>
<p>If these traits appeal to you I would go to Bentley. Understand that both schools are business only schools. Both will teach you what you need to know in order to become successful. Both schools have immensely successful alumni. You should decide based on the characteristics listed above bcause in the end if you are to become CEO even if you have an undergraduate degree from Princeton, masters from Harvard and a PHD from Yale if you don't have the ability to lead a company you aren't reaching the top.</p>
<p>Dunkaroo, I am talking to you on multiple threads, but I am looking for schools that might help a person become a trader. So Bentley's trading room looks appealing, as does, Michigan State's, Baruch's, Penn State's and I am sure there are a few more.</p>
<p>However, if nobody recruits or thinks highly enough of these schools, than the trading rooms don't matter.</p>
<p>yes you have a point if no one thinks highly of these schools then the trading floors don't matter. If you know what traders do they work on the floor of the NYSE which has screens and programs similar to the ones found in the trading rooms of Bentley and the other schools. </p>
<p>Thereby if you have experience with tools such as those found in these trading rooms you will be able to better understand and analyze the information more easily then someone who is never accustomed to seeing these programs and screens in use. </p>
<p>dstark I don't think you know what traders go through. Sure its a life of luxury and millions upon millions of dollars but the work isn't easy by any means... just keep that in mind when you work wonderful 80 -100 hour weeks.</p>
<p>It is not just about trading rooms it is about strength of particular programs and enhancing your odds of landing one of these high profile jobs from a mediocre place like Babson or Bentley.</p>
<p>So Dunkaroo, the bottom line... are students recruited to become traders after going to schools with trading rooms? At any school with a trading room? Which schools?</p>