<p>thanks to all the advice! and the tip about USC and all the other college suggestions. Some of these I haven't even heard of, so it'll be a good opportunity to research some other colleges ;) </p>
<p>um, what does UW stand for? </p>
<p>my only qualm about USC is the location. I loved the campus itself, but there's not really any college town feel outside (which is basically the ghetto). But other than that, USC is rather appealing!</p>
<p>UW = University of Washington (both mini and emeraldkity are from WA).
Have you considered women's colleges at all? Smith, Wellesley of Bryn Mawr? Wellesley has a great economics program which has produced many executives. Wllesley has a large Asian population and loves reverse commuters. Unfortunately, East Coast schools might be more expensive for your family due to higher travel costs. If you really want to stick to business as your undergrad focus and stay close to home, USC and Claremont (4+1 BA/MBA) are your best bets in CA.</p>
<p>Do not think of any of the top colleges as sure bets, especially for Asians (there is a surplus of smart Asians). Hopefully you can be considered a resident for California schools, they would be your best financial/acceptance safeties. I'm knowledgeable about many facets of the other UW (Wisconsin).</p>
<p>^ agh. Especially as I'm an Asian female. </p>
<p>but my strengths are in the humanities, not math, so I'm rather different from the typical Asian. </p>
<p>Bunsenburner: do you mean the Claremont colleges, or is there another Claremont college? I don't really understand the 4+1 BA/MBA part...</p>
<p>Athena - I'm not sure where the imperative about warm weather came from. That screens out the majority of the nation's universities including the vast majority of the schools at which your peer group would share credentials similar to yours. It'd also knock Chicago and Northwestern off your list. Financial need is a real consideration. But the weather? Undergrad business vs. econ undergrad + an MBA? A lot of places could fit your bill; don't limit your options based on factors toward which you might have a slight preference. All other things being equal, I'd be inclined to lean toward the quality of the peer group.</p>
<p>^ Warm weather stems from the fact that I've been dealing with rather severe nasal allergies that are excerbated by cold weather. They've been getting better as I age though, which is why I'm pretty confident that I could probably withstand the cold for quality of the institution.</p>
<p>Sorry, I meant Claremont McKenna college;</p>
<p>The</a> Robert A. Day 4 + 1 BA/MBA Program, Claremont McKenna College</p>
<p>But if I were you, I'd go for an undergraduate degree in econ or something else, then work for a few years and then complete an MBA at night while working full-time (some employers would even pay for part of the studies).</p>
<p>Take a look at George Washington and American. Good business programs at each and obviously strong in government and international relations. Four seasons weather. Sizable Asian population in DC.</p>
<p>BunsenBurner: wow. I never even knew that this program existed!!! THANK YOU! this looks really good!! :) </p>
<p>thank you dudedad (awesome name, btw) I will look into those schools. </p>
<p>Good vibes are coming to all who replied!</p>
<p>CMC is very competitive to get into, but I think you'll have a good shot. And it is a great college for a future businesswoman! However, I'd think twice before entering this 4+1 program. An MBA without any real work experience does not cut it in the business world nowadays. Most companies I have experience with would rather hire someone who started as a dishwasher and rose in ranks to a manager while completing an evening MBA degree program than freshly-minted grad with an MBA from a fancy college but without any knowledge of how their business operates (not all of it is taught in business school).</p>
<p>^ wouldn't internships count as work though? or are those disregarded when people are hiring?</p>
<p>I am a Chinese parent and I understand your parents 100%. Within our unique community - Chinese who have advanced US degree(s), I would say ~ 90% of our children go to the top 10 schools. </p>
<p>Is the HS you are attending well known? What is your class ranking? </p>
<p>You have a very good set of stats except that you will be competing with all other Chinese students with almost perfect GPA and test scores. So, you got to make yourself stand out. may be your experience of moving around could be written into an excellent essay.</p>
<p>Good luck. If you were my child, I would suggest you apply to top 10 schools, use the ranking as a guide but find 3 other schools to replace MIT, Catech, and Chicago.</p>
<p>I doubt the 90%/top ten rule above, probably more than half, but don't feel you are in the bottom 10% if you choose a "lesser" school. My H is another Asian, equally snobbish, nationality. Apply to schools with the best fit, ie schools you like with appropriate academics. Always remember that despite your parents' origins, you are an American (regardless of your citizenship staus) and a member of this culture (which includes all the overlay of the parent's cultures). You do not have to conform to your parents' cultural norms- they chose to raise you here currently and therefore give you American ideas. I see you are from California, therefore you have plenty of other Chinese Americans in your state, many/most of whom will attend the CA public U's, despite their parents' educational level. You should be able to find adults who know the culture who can help your parents understand the current college application scene. There is a huge surplus of superior Asian (from all countries) students competing for a limited number of positions in elite colleges, there is to be no shame in not attending one of them. Find others who can talk to your parents about the realities. There are plenty of National Merit Finalists attending their public flagship U, ie plenty with your level of credentials. Your posting here shows you have the desire to look beyond your parents' view, the resources are there, especially in California- check with your HS guidance dept, any local Chinese American organizations and other students for help. Remember to think outside the ethnic stereotypes.</p>
<p>Is there any specific reason that you are considering Denison? There are other colleges in Ohio that have a full ride scholarships if that is what you are after.</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins recently instituted an undergraduate program in Business. It is already renowned in several government-politics related fields and has a great location for that, as well.</p>
<p>It's not Top 10, nor HYPS, but it might be sellable to your parents as a "good enough" school. Not a safety, but somewhat less competitive for admission than the single-digit acceptance rate schools.</p>
<p>Lehigh in Pennsylvania has a LAC-type atmosphere as well as a business program. I'm not knowledgeable about their government and politics stuff, but you could research that. I would say it is a match or even safety for you, and they do give merit aid. Not sure what it takes to get that.</p>
<p>wis75, my 90% estimation is only limited to those families where the parents have a Ph.D. degree earne in US. It does not definitely apply to the whole asian community at large.</p>
<p>Good- that is a personal estimate, not based in fact. There are equally educated Asians who are in touch with the current day realities, the norms of even ten years ago do not apply. It is becoming a rude awakening to parents with current HS students when they realize how things have changed. Getting beyond the stereotyping of acceptable caliber schools is needed for those still out of touch. I would suspect those in academia at the 11th and lower schools know this and know of many more excellent choices for their kids...</p>
<p>I sent you a PM.</p>
<p>Are you under consideration for ELC at UC? My d was ELC and was offered Regents Scholarships at UCD and UCSB, plus invited to apply for one at UCB. The Regents Scholarship varies slightly from campus to campus, but generally it covers tuition, plus you get perks like first choice of classes, honors dorm, etc. It makes UC very attractive. It's just a click of the button (plus the application fee, which you might be able to get waived) to apply to additional UC's, so you should apply to several of them. You have the stats to get into most if not all of them.</p>
<p>I also have sinus problems, and the 2 years that I spent living in Boston were tough. Once the temp drops below freezing the humidity drops way down also, which is hard on the nasal passages. Plus you are indoors so much and around everyone's germs... I got a lot of sinus infections. There are plenty of excellent warm-weather universities on both coasts (and some in between, like Vanderbilt or Rice for example). I don't see why you should compromise on weather.</p>
<p>I'm not a big fan of the UG business degree either. Follow your passions in college. You can get a good job w/out the business degree. Work for a couple of years, save some money, and then decide what you want to do. If you decide to go for the MBA you will have a lot more flexibility in terms of financing it and, as others have pointed out, will be a much more desirable hire afterwards because of your work experience.</p>
<p>A possible safety school to consider is Pepperdine. It meets most of your criteria: good weather, general education requirements with a liberal arts focus, strong business department, excellent study abroad program, and professor accessibility. With your record, you would stand a good chance of significant merit aid.</p>