<p>If you have the time to read this and respond it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>My ultimate goal is Harvard Business School.
What is the best track to reach this goal?
I have a few options that each have unique opportunity costs:</p>
<p>1] Go out-of-state to University of Illinois at Chicago.</p>
<p>This option is what I would like to do because it moves me into a setting where I am independant in my dream city. However this option also comes at great financial cost. I would most likely not be bringing in any additional revenue based on the strength of the courses and social life of this public university while maintaing a strong GPA.</p>
<p>2] Go in-state at Western Kentucky University or University of Kentucky.</p>
<p>This option allows me to enjoy the college experience (greek life, parties, etc) without paying the out-of-state tuition fees. However I would, most likely, not be working as the implications stated above with option 1.</p>
<p>3] Go to Owensboro Community College and then transferring to University of Kentucky after my associates degree.</p>
<p>Our community college has a 2+2 program that allows students to live at home and pay significantly lower tuition and then guarantees the same tuition of the community college at UK after obtaining your associates degree.
This option allows optimal financial gain with the low cost of tuition and allows me to maintain my current 30 hour work week that nets (after taxes) approximately $9.000 yearly (1 month sick/leave included).</p>
<p>As I have stated each of these options are viable but they all have unique rewards at varying degrees. You might notice that option 1 is based on want while option 3 is based on financial need. Option 2 seems to be a good middleground, however it seems as if I am more financial secure with option 3.</p>
<p>I am curious to your input, please do not be shy in your response!</p>
<p>Follow-up question:</p>
<p>If I decide on any of these options would I be eligible to transfer directly to Harvard after my associates degree with exemplary grades?
I have heard a ridiculously small amount have been accepted to Harvard as transfers (30 to 40 a year).
I was wondering if they would request prior ACT scores or my high school transcript.
If they did I'm pretty sure that's not a viable option; currently wouldn't be accepted.</p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p>Back in the last century, I worked for a college placement business that specialized in MBA candidates. The people who made it to Harvard Business School had exemplary undergraduate grades, several years of interesting work experience, and excellent community service histories. The undergraduate school doesn't matter much for MBA admissions: GPA, GMAT scores, and work experience do. This means that you can follow the cheapest option and things can still turn out well.</p>
<p>For more ideas along this line you should look at the MBA forum. You can find it in the Graduate and Professional Schools section on the main "College Discussion" page.</p>
<p>As to the possibility of transferring into Harvard, you should go read the Transfers forum. You can find that part-way down on the main "College Discussion" page. Every year a few very talented, very hardworking students transfer successfully from community colleges to Ivy and Ivy-like universities. Whether or not you could be one of them, is something no one here can predict.</p>
<p>Wishing you much success.</p>
<p>I would go with option #2.</p>
<p>I actually would go to one BUT if finances are such a big issue that you can not pay for four years I would do option three because 1) its cheaper 2) you can work at the same time 3) when you apply for business school UK will be on your degree not your community college. I (just by reading your post) don't think you would be genuinely and completely happy with 2 so I just wouldn't. At least with three you have some financial gain.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your replies.
If anyone else has an opinion please share.</p>
<p>Bringing
Up
My
Post</p>
<p>
[quote]
If I decide on any of these options would I be eligible to transfer directly to Harvard after my associates degree with exemplary grades?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Harvard College seems to be out of the business of accepting transfer students. None will be admitted this year. It's unclear that any will ever be admitted again. </p>
<p>Harvard Business School ordinarily expects applicants to have real-world business experience before admission.</p>
<p>Like every other adult, I'll warn you against setting a path where there is only one destination, Harvard Business School. You need other options, because you can do very, very well in school, and not have a rat's chance at Harvard. That's just the way it is.</p>
<p>In response to your question about UIC, do not spend extra money to attend. It is not a bad school, but it is not outstanding, except for a few areas like social work, public health and urban studies. The majority of kids I know who go there are B students with ACTs in the mid 20s.</p>
<p>Alright I'm leaning to rule-out #1 (barring significant financial aid).
With this in mind:</p>
<p>What is the difference between these three situational possibilities in the eyes of a Harvard adcom:</p>
<p>1) I have 3.8-4.0 GPA from UK (4 years attended)
2) I have 4.0 GPA from WKU (4 years attended)
3) I have 3.8-4.0 GPA from UK (2+2 CC to UK)</p>
<p>If all of these situations are equal, which I would think they would be, then my path still is unclear.</p>
<p>If they are all equal that means you should go to community college to save money.</p>
<p>In response to the above post:</p>
<p>The question is if they are all equal not if they are all equal what is my best decision; the decision would be obvious.</p>
<p>Do you want a "college" experience? Dorm life, social life, parties, sports, clubs, etc? College is (can be) more than academics. Attending CC/saving money/focusing exclusively on the long-range goal of a specific business school is certainly an option but are you being too "logical" way you've laid out your options? Maybe you'd like a bit of fun at college, too. Check out what internships, work study, research options are available at UK and WKU, programs that would give you opportunties that top business schools are looking for. Many college students work throughout college. </p>
<p>If all you really want is to add the academic component to your work experience, then option 3 makes sense. I would guess that the type and level of current employment would be important to HBS, too. $9000 plus sick leave may seem like a lot to give up right now. Is the job the kind of job that would impress HBS?</p>
<p>Because you are focused "on the long run," ask: which environment -- four year in state university or work/CC/transfer -- really offers me the independence, the experiece, the academics, the most opportunities to achieve my goals? </p>
<p>My opinion? If you choose option 3, you must stay focused on completing your AA in two years and then transfering, even if it means working less. I've seen too many of my children's friends take that option, expecting to transfer, then fritter away their CC time, work at dead-end jobs, thinking that $12,000 a year is a lot of money (it is, if you are 18 and living at home, not if you are 23 and trying to rent an apartment.) They lose their focus, get distracted by cars, relationships, etc. and it takes them years to restart and get back on track. You seem very focused, though, so I'm guessing you will have no problem.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your input; I have chosen to attend the University of Kentucky.</p>