Hello Everybody!
I am about to be a junior in high school, and the pressure on me is increasing about college. My parents think that if I do not get into the U of M my life will be ruined and I will not get a good job, but I hear MSU is a fine school. This pressure is too much, I would like to go to grad schools as well and that’s not going to change. So any opinions on if it matter where you go to undergrad? My GPA is low because of family problems and I feel so ashamed whenever I look at it but I have been doing better.
This topic has been debated quite a bit here on CC. Personally, I’m not convinced undergrad school matters for the vast majority of students. What matters much more is finding a school where you can A) thrive academically, and B) get out without too much debt.
Michigan State is a fine school. While U of M may be higher in most rankings of prestige/whatever, that doesn’t mean MSU isn’t highly regarded–it’s still a flagship state university. There are plenty of graduates of schools like (we’re staying in Michigan here) Western/Central/Eastern Michigan, Wayne State, Grand Valley State, Saginaw State, etc. who succeeded in their careers, and they didn’t even go to a flagship.
Buy and read Frank Bruni’s book “Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be”, it’ll be the best $10 investment you make this year.
Yes, it matters. You will spend 4 years there, exploring subjects you have never seen before. Your intellectual horizons will be broadened in the company of other young people seeking knowledge. You will interact with professors who have devoted their lives to the subjects they teach. You will find companions who may well become lifelong friends.
Does it matter WHERE this happens? Not so much, as long as you personally can find what you need there. And there is no doubt that you can find what you need at MSU, which is a fine school with a national reputation. I don’t think there is any profession or grad school where a degree from MSU is going to put you out of the running.
You will be fine. Just do your best wherever you are.
You are comparing two top tier schools. Choosing between the two will not hurt you. It would be different if deciding between one of those and lesser schools that do not have the caliber of courses and other opportunities. Any college works for most but those intending to go on to grad school want a top tier school for the caliber of classes and peers.
I think where u go to grad school will matter a lot more for your future than your undergrad, especially since u said u want to study business. Btw, i’m a business major too.
If you want entrance to an MBA program at some point, your work experience and GMAT will be more important than where you earned your BA. My daughter earned an MBA at UMich after attending an art school as an undergrad!
Not as important for What? It’s very important for many graduate schools. It can be important for many jobs. For bragging at a party or for parental gloating the school may be more important than the major.
