Fordham University - accepted
Ohio University - accepted
Eastern Michigan University - accepted
University of Michigan - accepted ($29,000 per year)
Louisiana State University - accepted ($14,000 per year)
Tulane University - accepted
University of South Carolina - accepted (around $22,000 per year)
Ohio State University - accepted ($28,000)
University of Wisconsin - accepted
Indiana University - accepted
Florida State University - still waiting decision ( I feel like I have a good chance though) (I think around $17,000 with instate)
Rutgers University - accepted
Notre Dame University - rejected
Boston College - deferred
Ok so for my final realistic list when considering prices and places I could see myself, I have narrowed my list down to Michigan, South Carolina, Florida State, LSU, and Ohio State. I am planning on majoring in something business related, and have applied as a business major to all of the above. I am looking specifically at marketing, international business, and real estate, or possibly just management/business administration. Does anyone have thoughts on my list? I am instate for Michigan, my parents are alum, and my sister is there now. I also live about 20 minutes away. I understand that Umich is likely the best school on my list of options, but I really want to try something new and go further from home. Does anyone have any comments, pros/cons to each of the schools on my realistic list? I do like the larger schools with good spirit, sports, and academics, and I believe they all fit the bill. Thanks!
I would also like to add that of the list of 5, I have visited Michigan, Ohio State, and South Carolina (not LSU or FSU). I loved South Carolina and would consider it my top choice at this point (planning on International business and hoping for honors)
If you go to THE Ohio State University, get ready for some interesting holiday get-togethers. Not only would you have bucked the family tradition of going to Michigan, but you’d be adding insult to injury by attending Michigan’s hated archrivals, the Buckeyes!
Joking aside, you’ve got a great list, so if you “loved” South Carolina, go there. They’ve given you substantial money, and I’m guessing that your family can afford the 7K difference between USC and Mich? If so, my advice is to attend the school you are most excited to attend and where you can see yourself thriving. Don’t worry too much about which school is better for business, since they’ll all be similar, and it’s clear that you know your options at the schools to which you have applied. Moreover, here’s a quote from the Fiske Guide to Colleges that I like:
“But for the most part, rumors about top-ranked departments in this or that should be no more than a tie-breaker between schools you like for more important reasons. Instead of worrying about particular departments, try to keep the focus on big-picture items, such as: What’s the academic climate? How big are the freshman classes? Do I like it here? and Are these my kind of people?”
Sadly, I do not know these schools personally. The one that I do know first-hand, Ohio U. (drop-dead gorgeous campus), is one that you are not considering.
Oh, and rooting for the Gamecocks won’t cause your Wolverine parents to disown you! Congrats, and best of luck.
It’s definitely tempting to want to move away from home, and completely understandable. If you find that South Carolina, FSU, LSU, or Ohio State is the best fit for you, go for it. However, it would be really hard to pass up your offer from UMich. Especially if you want to study business, Ross has one of the best programs in the country. You can’t go wrong with any of your choices, but Go Blue!
If you have any desire to get in to consulting or investment banking (wall st), Michigan has a decided advantage. They are one of a few state Us heavily recruited. Other than that, probably little difference. That can also be accomplished form the other schools, but with a lot more networking on your part.
When you have the final aid packages on hand, sit down and run the numbers with your parents. Where is the difference in cost going to come from? Remember, you can only borrow the standard student loans on your own, and any other debt will need a co-signer. When running the numbers, don’t forget to account for differences in health insurance (can you stay on your family’s plan or will you need to be on the university’s plan because of university policy or distance from home) and transportation (will you be coming home umpteen times a year if you end up in FL, LA, or SC like you could in MI or OH).
It's hard to turn down Michigan, one of the world's great universities, at in-state prices.
South Carolina's International Business program is said to be solid. There's something to be said for going with your gut. I think you'll do fine if you choose to go there.
But consider that Michigan will likely seem a world away from home once you are enrolled and on campus.
How does it work to get into Business at UM and USC? Don’t you have to apply to get into the Business College at UM so it’s not guaranteed. How about at USC?
That is such an important consideration. Always go for direct-admit schools. Paying big bucks to go to a school where you might not even be allowed in to your desired major is a sucker’s game.
I am still waiting to hear from Ross at Umich. I was admitted into the Moore School of Business at USC but not for international business yet. IB is guaranteed only if admitted to honors as an incoming freshman. Otherwise, you need to apply at the end of your first semester. Other than that, I am in the Moore School already, regardless of what happens with international business.
Are the money amounts listed the net prices, or the scholarships / FA grants?
It may be more helpful to list all schools with their net prices after scholarships / FA grants.
For each school that you got admitted to:
a. Did you get direct admission to the business major?
b. If not, does getting into the business major require a high college GPA or competitive admission process?
Offhand I’d say if you get into Ross and UM is affordable that would be my top pick. But I would not start the final decision process until 1) you know exactly what programs you are in and 2) you have the final financial numbers and 3) all the admissions decisions are in.
The campus experience is totally different than HS no matter where you go. If you are accepted to Ross, that is the clear choice. If you go to OSU to save $1K/yr, you will never hear the end of it. I’d enhance your international business marketability by learning Mandarin no matter where you attend. There are some advantages to being close to home too - family events, holidays, and seeing HS friends at college.
I’d check on the study abroad programs too - costs (some let you pay your current tuition including scholarships/FA) , venues, length of study etc. For example a Michigan student could attend Oxford for in-state tuition prices, while a student at some other universities would have to pay international prices (roughly 2.5x). That might be important for your program. Likewise, check into summer internships at each of the programs. Some placements may be a lot better than others.
You might want to check out LSU seriously at half the price ; we have several friends who sent their kids there and had a great experience.
I was surprised to learn a while ago that U of South Carolina is continually number #1 in US News for undergraduate international business. It doesn’t mean they’re the best, but it must mean they have a high reputation.
If you get into USC honors, the pros of USC would be you like it better, it’s somewhat cheaper and a different experience, and you could be in an excellent international business program. The pros of UM would be its overall stronger national reputation, and probably greater breadth in the strength of its programs.
pbmcdoug- I wanted to clarify that there is an additional way to get into the IB major at USC’s Moore School besides from the Honors College and applying after your freshman year. My son applied to and was accepted into the IB cohort program after attending orientation at USC and doing well on the USC administered foreign language placement test. The application is involved… a few essays, one in a foreign language, a 1,000 word research paper and an interview. This was all accomplished last year before his freshman semester. I’m not sure if this year’s timing will be similar but I wanted to let you know about this option. FYI the cohort programs are intensive and all the applicants, including SCHC students need to go through the application process. The minimum amount of time spend studying abroad is a full year as opposed to a semester in the traditional IB program. -Good luck.
It’s up to you. If I were in your shoes, Michigan’s offer would be REALLY hard to pass up. Ohio State is a great offer too, but it looks like tuition only, because it’s out of state. You’ll need to pay for room & board separately. South Carolina is tuition only. All are affordable options that could work if you work part time/summers. Good luck!