<p>I have quite an odd scenario. I am an international student studying in a community college in Asia. So, I've applied for both freshmen and transfer admission to various schools. Here are my list of universities I've gotten accepted into.</p>
<p>Transfer:
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- University of Minnesota
- Ohio State University</p>
<p>Freshmen:
- UC Berkeley
- UCLA</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>My concern about the universities I gotten accepted into as a freshmen is the high tuition fees. And whether it is worth the high tuition fees when I can graduate from one of the transfer universities with significantly lower fees and faster graduation.</p>
<p>I am admitted directly into Carlson School of Management for Minnesota. What's most important to me in choosing my university now is the value of education and money, the student life experience in the US and employability.</p>
<p>I have about 40 credits that I can transfer to Wisconsin-Madison, Minnesota and Ohio state. Hence, these three universities will be significantly cheaper than the full 4 years I will be in UCLA/UC Berkeley.</p>
<p>First off, I am not certain if UCB or UCLA worth roughly $100,000 more than tOSU in the long run!! As an tOSU international alum, I can only speak for the school that I know well. While tOSU might not be academically as prestigious as your top choices, the school certainly has lots to offer to international students. It is located in a good size midwestern city (Columbus is around 800,000 population in the city) with affordable living expenses compared to Berkeley or Westwood which are in the west coast. Further, tOSU is certainly milder weather in the winter than both Minnesota and Wisconsin. And most importantly, Ohio State President Gordon Gee has a great relationship with the State Legislatures. Hence the school has been enjoying strong State supports with annual tuition increase capped at 3.5% if any unlike the rest of OP’s options. Plus, academically, the school is currently deemed as one of the most up-and-coming institutions in America and ranked in the Top-5 with the most international students enrolled. Since OP mentioned that tuition is somewhat of a concern, I therefore suggest Ohio State over all the other choices based on all the factors mentioned above.</p>
<p>P.S. If OP does not mind the harsh Minnesota weather, Carlson School of Management is currently tied with Fisher College of Business at #14 based on USNWR Best Undergrad Business ranking, and OP will certainly able to save more (roughly $20k in the long run over tOSU) by becoming a Gopher.</p>
<p>U of Minnesota promises 4-year grad rate. Cost (for out of state) is on par with UC’s in-state tuition Plus budget mess in CA-yuk!- means a 4+ year grad rate, so total cost can almost be a wash.</p>
<p>Thank you! Your input was incredibly helpful! I would like to know though, how is the post-grad prospects for a tOSU degree holder? I hope to do my MBA in the Ivy Leagues if possible.</p>
<p>MBA admission does not depend on where you went to college. It depends on your GPA, your GMAT scores, and your work experience since graduating. The top MBA programs will expect a bare minimum of 2 years of increasingly responsible professional experience - preferably more.</p>
<p>It is very unlikely that you will be able to find a job in the US that will give you a work visa, so you need to study in a program that will get you a job in your home country - or in some other country that is not the US. Do employers in your country favor graduates of any of the universities that are on your list? If so, you would be best off to attend that university.</p>
<p>You would need four years at Berkeley so that is approx USD 220k versus three years at UMN for approx USD 90k. If you can get a job with that UMN degree, unless the USD 130k difference is chump change for your family, then go to UMN. USD 130k would cover much (if not all) of the cost of an eventual MBA.</p>
<p>You must certainly have your reasons, but I’ve got to ask: Why not just graduate from where you are, and then come to the US for that MBA in about six or seven years? Wouldn’t that be the route that makes the most financial sense?</p>
<p>Yes it could take more than four years to graduate out of UC. Our state budget is a mess. Classes are larger and harder to get and this year UCLA admitted only 17.7% of their applicants while Berkeley admitted the most out of state & international applicants and was 2nd toughest UC to get into. Our CSU and Community Colleges are not faring any better sorry to say.</p>
<p>No. Berkeley’s 4-year graduation rate is around 70%. The less selective UCs have lower 4-year graduation rates, but students at less selective UCs are more likely to take light course loads per semester/quarter, need remedial course work, fail courses, etc… For comparison, Minnesota’s 4-year graduation rate is under 50%.</p>
<p>However, whether Berkeley is worth the premium depends on how big a deal Berkeley versus Minnesota is in the country where you will be working after graduation.</p>
<p>8 semesters at Berkeley = $220,000
5 semesters at Minnesota = $75,000</p>
<p>Would Berkeley be worth $145,000 + a year and a half of pay working more than Minnesota?</p>
<p>(You can make other comparisons between the schools similarly.)</p>
<p>Minnesota is a GREAT school and a bargain compared to the rest. Go there you won’t regret it! The Twin Cities is also a good place to live people are pretty relaxed and very kind for the most part. It is also relatively diverse and the cost of living is relatively inexpensive.</p>
I would like to know though, how is the post-grad prospects for a tOSU degree holder? I hope to do my MBA in the Ivy Leagues if possible.</p>