<p>Okay so im applying to Georgetown, BC, Michigan, and University Texas Austin and i've pretty much narrowed it down to those being my top four. What i'm looking for in a school is somewhere that is great in undergraduate business and also has a good reputation as a school which I'm pretty sure all of these have. I was wonder which of these will i get the best "college experience". I'm definitely interested in having a good time and was wondering which school i would be able to go to, have the best time overall, meet the best people, and be as prepared for a successful future as possible. Also, however vain it may be, which school has the best looking people in general, thats definitely another factor in my decision.</p>
<p>It’s a toss up between Michigan and Georgetown with a slight favor to Michigan.</p>
<p>US News undergraduate business school rankings:</p>
<p>Michigan #3
Texas #6
Georgetown #20
Boston College #24</p>
<p>Overall US News ranking (proxy for “prestige”):</p>
<h1>22 Georgetown</h1>
<h1>28 Michigan</h1>
<h1>31 Boston College</h1>
<h1>45 Texas</h1>
<p>Princeton Review “Great College Towns”:</p>
<h1>2 Georgetown</h1>
<h1>15 Michigan</h1>
<h1>17 Texas</h1>
<p>Boston College not ranked</p>
<p>Princeton Review “Students Pack the Stadiums”:</p>
<h1>10 Michigan</h1>
<h1>15 Texas</h1>
<p>Georgetown and Boston college not ranked</p>
<p>American Institute for Economic Research College Destinations Index (“best” college towns/cities):</p>
<p>Major metros (>2.5 million): #3 Washington, #4 Boston
Mid-size metros (1 million-2.5 million): #2 Austin
Small cities (250K-1 million): #2 Ann Arbor </p>
<p>Seems to me Michigan’s the most consistent high scorer of the four.</p>
<p>As someone with no dog in this fight, I say all are great and will provide a fantastic college experience. At this point, I would apply to all, see where you’re accepted, assess financial aid offers and then make a decision.</p>
<p>“If the OP is aiming for high finance, Georgetown leads the pack but Ross at Michigan and McCombs at Texas is not too far behind.”</p>
<p>Proof please?</p>
<p>"stronger sports in every area (basketball, football and baseball),:</p>
<p>What about hockey?</p>
<p>“a more social/outgoing student body than Michigan”</p>
<p>Proof please?</p>
<p>Prestige
- Georgetown
- Michigan/UT Austin
- Boston College</p>
<p>Sorry, It’s more like:</p>
<p>Georgetown
Michigan
Boston College</p>
<p>Texas</p>
<p>minder I know you love UT, but Michigan is more prestigious overall, “by a mile.” Well not quite, but since you love to exaggerate differences, hows that major drought going in Texas?</p>
<p>Well, let’s see what US News has to say:</p>
<h1>22. Georgetown</h1>
<h1>28. Michigan</h1>
<h1>31. Boston College</h1>
<h1>45. UT Austin</h1>
<p>There is a large gap between Georgetown and the rest of the schools. Furthermore, this gap is exaggerated between UT Austin and the other schools in the other direction, too. </p>
<p>The difference in terms of “prestige” between Michigan and BC are minimal (though I would give the nod to Michigan sports over athletics at my own school).</p>
<p>“There is a large gap between Georgetown and the rest of the schools”</p>
<p>There is a large gap between GT and UT. Not so much between GT and Michigan. :-)</p>
<p>I’m from New England and I say:</p>
<p>Georgetown
Michigan
Texas
Boston College</p>
<p>Think about the general regions (not just the business schools):</p>
<p>Georgetown is the best school in it’s area.
Michigan is the best school in it’s area.
Texas is the best school in it’s area.
Boston College is arguably somewhere from 4th to 7th (obviously it is because Massachusetts is congested with schools, though)</p>
<p>They’re all very good schools, though.</p>
<p>I’d say Michigan and UT would be the best for a traditional college experience.</p>
<p>Those who think the USNWR accurately captures the difference in academic excellence and prestige are off the mark. Besides, since when is there a “large gap” between #22 and #28 in a ranking that includes close to 300 universities?</p>
<p>Given the OP’s request (top business program within the strongest academic institution all-around and with the best campus environment), I would say all four universities are excellent. One cannot go wrong either way. I would narrow it down according to cost of attendance and personal preference.</p>
<p>I think you should be posting this question in April after acceptance letters are mailed. You’re spinning your wheels unnecessarily at this point. If you’re a TX resident and in the top 8% of your class, UT is the only one of the four that’s a sure thing. I’ve seen kids with great stats get rejected at the others. Sit tight and re-visit this question on 4/1.</p>
<p>When it comes to prestige, Georgetown isn’t more prestigious than Michigan. If anything, I’m inclined to believe that the reverse is true. At the very best, Georgetown is just as prestigious as Michigan.</p>
<p>“Best college experience” is totally up to the individual. Campus visits to these schools would help you sort it out even further, if you haven’t done so already. My S LOVED the big, sprawling campuses of Michigan and UT. My D LOVED the more compact campuses of GU and BC. Another thing to consider is what area of business you are pursuing. My D, who is a senior at BC majoring in Accounting, had tremendous faculty, networking opportunities, and access to all the Big 4 firm’s recruiters and partners. I’m sure these other schools have great intern/job opportunities as well, but she liked how she was able to make initial contacts on the east coast and then get follow up interviews on the west coast where we live and where she ultimately wanted to work. I think that may give metro area schools like BC and GU a slight edge, assuming you want to eventually work in an area outside of where you are going to school.</p>
<p>Depends in the circles you travel in, RML. There are circles in which Michigan is more prestigious than Gtown and circles in which Gtown is far more prestigious. As with everything, it’s regional and dependent on particular circles.</p>
<p>UT is far more regional and limited than any of the above, IMO. I would not underestimate the fact that the state of Texas has some negative baggage in other parts of the US. Other colleges may not have positive baggage, but they won’t bring negatives with them.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Of course, facts easily show that’s not the case. Don’t confuse a majority in-state undergrad population with a regional reputation. If anything, Georgetown and BC are “more regional and limited” - in terms of global reputation. It doesn’t matter that Georgetown is a high profile university in DC with a respected school of foreign service. This is because globally graduate/PhD programs and research are what determines reputation and prestige. UT is a major research university, with one of the largest research budgets in the country for a university without a medical school. It also has one the largest population of enrolled foreign students. As smaller, more undergrad focused universities, BC and Georgetown have nowhere near the international reputation of UT. Essentially every one of UT’s academic programs ranks higher than Georgetown. This is why UT shows up much higher in world rankings and why it’s absurd to say it’s “more regional” when, if anything, you could say BC and Georgetown are by this measure. The world is a lot larger than the US.</p>
<p>Even in the US, UT grads have no problems finding jobs or enrolling in grad schools across the country. A majority stay in state because Texas has a massive economy and they can or want to stay. It has nothing to do with being regionally limited.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Would those two circles be provincial private school snobs on the East Coast vs. the entire rest of the world?</p>
<p>Thanks, all great points, i think its kinda getting narrowed down between Georgetown and Michigan a little bit. Whats a typical night like at Georgetown and Michigan, whats there to do and is it fun on a regular basis?</p>
<p>The big difference between Michigan and Georgetown in Greek Life.</p>
<p>Michigan has an active Greek Life and Georgetown does not have official fraternities and sororities.</p>
<p>Georgetown parties tend to be a lot smaller than those at Michigan, because the DC townhouses are smaller than the typical fraternity mansion. On the flip side most parties are open houses at Georgetown. Both types of parties involve lots of beer and drinking games. Since Georgetown is smaller, it is more likely than not that you will recognize most people on campus, where this is nearly impossible at Michigan.</p>
<p>Georgetown, the area, also offers a lot of nightlife options including pubs and restaurants. There are some where you will find a number or freshmen and sophomores.</p>
<p>Sporting events at both schools are popular. Basketball is the most popular sport at Georgetown and Football is the most popular sport at Michigan.</p>