<p>I have a passion for economics, but I find some aspects of business intriguing. I'm currently deciding between a Ross preferred-admittance and a UChicago spot. Any thoughts? I know econ and business are two completely different subject areas with little overlap. I am also very aware of holistic differences in campus life, academics, cost [this is huge], campus, etc. But is there any more specific input someone could provide me with? I honestly don't know how I'll make this decision. Thanks</p>
<p>are you an instate student in MI? Then, choose Michigan since you said cost is a huge issue.</p>
<p>if not, Chicago - U Michigan out of state tuition is almost at the level of expensive private school. See my response to U Chicago vs. Berkeley.</p>
<p>[Wealth</a> or Waste? Rethinking the Value of a Business Major - Yahoo! Finance](<a href=“http://finance.yahoo.com/news/wealth-or-waste--rethinking-the-value-of-a-business-major.html]Wealth”>Wealth or Waste? Rethinking the Value of a Business Major)</p>
<p>There’s no doubt that Michigan is a top business program with excellent opportunities for investment banking/consulting, but I agree in that it’s not worth going to over a top economics/liberal arts education. I was faced with this decision and it was very easy for me to make as a non-MI resident, but if Michigan is significantly cheaper, I’d absolutely go there.</p>
<p>I will copy the reply I wrote to a very similar thread: U Chicago vs. U Michigan vs. UVA.</p>
<hr>
<p>As a Wharton MBA, I can tell you point blank there is not that much to LEARN at business school, and much less at an undergraduate business classes. Business school is essentially a trade school- a glorified vocational school. If my son said he wanted to go and major in “business” at the undergraduate level, I would advise him not to waste his time. Rather I would advise him to take on solid, more intellectually challenging basic fundamental education. There isn’t much in the undergraduate business courses that you can’t learn on the job that you must take formal courses - perhaps a couple of accounting classes- again, vocation training.</p>
<p>Now, you may get a better networking opportunity as an undergraduate business major at UVA or UMichigan (I don’t know, I am just guessing and giving them a benefit of doubt). However, based on what my son told me, U Chicago CCIB provides very good such opportunities, and as an undergraduate at U Chicago, you can take Booth courses. Booth is rated much higher than U Mich or UVA MBA programs. </p>
<p>Another thing: to the best of knowledge, all other factors being equal, NO elite employer would ever discriminate against an applicant from a top elite school without a formal undergraduate business program and favor another candidate from the likes of UVA and U Michigan who majored in business as an undergraduate. If this is the case, how in the world do you think Princeton graduates do so well in Wall Street?</p>
<p>If you are interested in a most sought after wall street high finance position, note that they send recruiters out to only top elite schools. If you have to apply on your own, you are already greatly disadvantaged. I know U Chicago is included in this short roster. Last time I checked, I heard that public schools, even the best ones, are not always on the list. This, you must double check, since I am not absolutely certain about it.</p>
<p>Obviously, if you were my son, I would advise U Chicago given your stated preference for culture and what not, but that’s just me. You said you are interested in business major. But, I have seen MANY kids change their major once they start in college. So, unless you are absolutely certain, I think you are better off going to a school that provide excellent education all around and provide you with a better fit in terms of culture and other students, etc. Regarding where you will relax better, well, I can’t advise you on that. You need to investigate more. As for my son, he was able to RELAX a great deal and get GPA between 3.5 - 4.0 in U Chicago till a couple of quarters ago. </p>
<p>Last quarter, he decided to take most challenging courses including two courses that he skipped a multi course prerequisite sequence. He had to work his butt off because he wanted to truly excel in them and did way MORE than what was required to get an A -he got A’s in them all - probably one of the best in all courses - plus he was leading a very active club he created two years ago. This quarter, he is taking advanced courses, and working with a faculty on a research project, so he will be working hard too. So, whether you will be able to RELAX in U Chicago or not depends on which courses you take and how much you push beyond getting good grades,and what else you want to do.</p>
<p>That said, in all all, Mich and UVA are both excellent schools, and should you decide to choose any one of them, your career trajectory will be none the less. Good luck.</p>
<p>I think the guy above me has said it all. And unlike him I’m still starting my life not looking back on it. So this is just my two cents, take it with a grain of salt.</p>
<p>It really puzzles me how someone can learn something from a business major at the undergrad level. I mean business is about applying things, right? And to apply things you need to know things.</p>
<p>A Chicago econ degree – steeped in the rigors of the Core – to me seems infinitely more appealing.</p>
<p>the “guy” above you happens to be a mom of a U Chicago student :)</p>
<p>You are wise to realize this without decades of industry experience that I have ;)</p>