<p>I have to make a decision by May 1 between these top choices.
1. I got into the Honors program and Isenberg school of business at UMass.
2. I got into Denver University with 18k in scholarship, and got into in the Daniels College of Business, and will probably get into the Honors program.
3. I got into Babson with 13k in scholarship.
What is my best option? Academically? or Socially? Best Buy? Career placement?
Thanks</p>
<p>Are you in-state for UMass?</p>
<p>“Fall 2009 enrollment at DU consisted of 11,292 students; 4,898 undergraduate and 6,394 graduate.”</p>
<p>Wow, that seems hugely overbalanced towards grad students. </p>
<p>What size school to you think would suit you best? Less than 5000 undergrad at DU is 1/4 the size of UMass. Babson is really small, and heavily business-oriented - if you change your mind, you may have to transfer. Babson is also significantly more expensive.</p>
<p>If you are in-state for UMass, that will be cheaper than your other options by 8-10K/year at least, which would make it the best buy. If you are OOS, cost looks like a toss-up between DU and UMass… Denver is supposed to be nice (I’ve never been there), Amherst is widely regarded as one of the best college towns in America, plus there are 4 other top-notch schools nearby you can take advantage of.</p>
<p>P.S. The Honors program at UMass (Commonwealth College) is nothing to write home about IMO. It gets you access to some smaller class sizes and what-not, but you don’t get preferential housing or preferential course selection or any other tangible benefits. And a lot of people or in it - around 20% of all undergrads, so it’s not even very exclusive.</p>
<p>Don’t know anything about the Honors program at DU.</p>
<p>Don’t know much about DU. With that said, Babson (in most cases) has the best academics and career placement. One of my teachers who attended Babson ten to fifteen years ago was offered 60k to start working right after graduation, turned it down for a more stress free teaching position, he is still well off probably thanks to investments etc(know this b/c he drives a few luxury cars).</p>
<p>UMass is a great buy. Has a multitude of social offerings, mainly due to the size. You seem to be quite focused on business and I think that if that is your goal Babson would be the ideal choice. And for DU if you really like skiing/boarding go there haha.</p>
<p>I live in Massachusetts, I plan to study business, and I do love to ski.</p>
<p>Did you go to the Isenberg Open House yesterday? They really put on a great event! Isenberg has an excellent reputation. The Dean spoke and listed all of the top ratings of the various degree programs. What major are you looking at? </p>
<p>The first year students at Isenberg can apply to become an Isenberg Fellow. Fellows are housed together in a learning community in a dorm located close to the Isenberg building at the edge of Southwest. It is a competitive process. Isenberg students who are also Commonwealth College members can join a Isenberg Honors RAP and live in Orchard Hill. </p>
<p>There were a number of students that spoke of choosing Isenberg/UMass over schools like BU, Bentley, Babson, Providence and many others. They spoke highly of their education, opportunities and internships. </p>
<p>Good luck in your decision!</p>
<p>My D is also trying to make a decision…between UMASS Amherst, University of New Hampshire and Virginia Tech.</p>
<p>She did not apply to the Business Schools at any of these but is now thinking that she may want to pursue Hospitality and Restaurant Management. While she is looking for “school spirit” and a “real college experience” we are looking for a solid academic program that will offer support (despite its size) and opportunity. </p>
<p>We will be attending Accepted Students Day at each of these schools in the next 10 days. </p>
<p>In the meantime, any advice/input would be much appreciated!</p>
<p>^lyricmom</p>
<p>Are you in New England?</p>
<p>Virginia Tech is a looong drive.</p>
<p>VT probably wins on “school spirit” since their sports are at a higher level. Warmer in the winter, too.</p>
<p>Is one of these in-state?</p>
<p>notrichenough - Thanks for your response!</p>
<p>We are in New England but not in-state for UMASS or UNH. Still, if my D were to participate in one of these two Hospitality and Restaurant Management programs she would qualify for the NE Regional College Program (lower tuition than OOS) since our own state school (UCONN) does not offer this major/program. Not a bad deal…and a real consideration! Any idea how UMASS and UNH compare academically, or any other way?</p>
<p>I have a feeling that, ultimately, the distance of VA Tech will be a problem. Still, she is drawn to the school and all that she has read/heard about it so we will go to gather information, first hand. I wonder how the three schools stack up against one another.</p>
<p>I would rank them Virginia Tech > UMass > UNH.</p>
<p>I think UMass’s size gives it an edge over UNH - bigger campus, more activities, more sports, I think the gender balance is more even at UMass, also.</p>
<p>I know UMass’s student stats are a little better than UNH, but not by a lot.</p>
<p>My brother goes to Virginia Tech. I didn’t get in even with legacy, I was accepted for Soph year. I got into U mass and some others, but I would pick Virginia Tech HANDS DOWN It is ranked the highest, and it is a fantastic campus. And the school spirit is through the roof. If you haven’t looked at it you should go. The miniute you step foot on the campus your decision will be made.</p>
<p>Amherst is rated as the best college town in the U.S. I lived in the area for ten years, and am happy my son will be attending such a great place to be. (He’s thrilled when I joke that I’ll be happy to visit him weekly.)</p>
<p>This area has all the virtues of a rural setting with the cultural, entertainment attractions of a metropolitan area.</p>
<p>As for VaTech. Blacksburgh who? Miles from nowhere.</p>
<p>And to inject a tad or politics and regional culture. The Attorney General of Virginia recently issued an advisory to Viginia’s public colleges that they do not have the legal authority to extend equal protection to gay members of their community.</p>
<p>[Virginia</a> attorney general to colleges: End gay protections - washingtonpost.com](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/05/AR2010030501582.html]Virginia”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/05/AR2010030501582.html)</p>
<p>Last week, the state’s governor issued a proclamation for Confederate History month that omitted any mention of slavery.</p>
<p>If you want to live in the South, fine, but I don’t think Vatech’s rating above UMass is more than a distinction without a difference.</p>
<p>Massachusetts does not have a particularly enlightened history of race relations either: South Boston etc etc etc.</p>
<p>Tom - your comment is out of line.</p>
<p>How? Someone from Massachusetts is claimimg that Virginia is racist and homophobic. S/he needs to look in her/his backyard to see a history (a present) with the same problems.</p>
<p>Many black southerners still avoid Boston because of its history in the 1970’s.</p>
<p>I’m not from Massachusetts, although I used to be.</p>
<p>I’m fully aware of the history of busing in South Boston.</p>
<p>But I think we can draw a distinction between the sentiments of citizens–there are racists everywhere, and the endorsement of those sentiments by elected officials charged with making public policy.</p>
<p>Never in Massachusetts did anyone in Massachusetts government say that the court orders of Judge Garrity be defied. In fact, hundreds of police officers protected the rights of the students.</p>
<p>In Virginia, you have the governor issuing a proclamation of Confederate History Month that failed to mention slavery as any part of the Civil War. </p>
<p>And the Attorney General is issuing directives enjoining the public universities and colleges of that state from being fair to gay staff and faculty.</p>
<p>That’s a significant difference. Do you want to attend college in a state where the attorney general goes out of his way to issue an opinion banning non-discrimination regarding sexual orientation.</p>
<p>To the credit of the people and institutions of Virginia, they are pushing back against the AG vigorously.</p>
<p>Actually, if you are interested in fighting for the rights of all citizens a school in Virginia could be a better place to be, right on the front lines against the forces of evil and darkness.</p>
<p>notrichenough, Bel1250 and latichever -</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your thoughtful and helpful comments regarding UMASS Amherst vs. University of New Hampshire vs. Virginia Tech. </p>
<p>We are off to Accepted Students Day at UNH tomorrow and Virginia Tech on Sunday. UMASS Accepted Students Day is next Sunday and we look forward to attending that, as well. (We’re racking up the miles, for sure). We have lots of questions and I know that speaking directly with students and faculty at each school will be telling. </p>
<p>We are curious to see how this all plays out…and to put a deposit in somewhere. It’s our second year in a row of looking for colleges as my S (a college freshman) and D are only one year and school grade apart. Consequently, we are exhilarated, exhausted and soon to be penniless.</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>notrichenough, Bel1250 and latichever -</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your thoughtful and helpful comments regarding UMASS Amherst vs. University of New Hampshire vs. Virginia Tech. </p>
<p>We are off to Accepted Students Day at UNH tomorrow and Virginia Tech on Sunday. UMASS Accepted Students Day is next Sunday and we look forward to attending that, as well. (We’re racking up the miles, for sure). We have lots of questions and I know that speaking directly with students and faculty at each school will be telling. </p>
<p>We are curious to see how this all plays out…and to put a deposit in somewhere. It’s our second year in a row of looking for colleges as my S (a college freshman) and D are only one year and school grade apart. Consequently, we are exhilarated, exhausted and soon to be penniless.</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>I’m with Tucann, don’t know much about Denver U but Babson is definitely the best investment… especially with a $13,000 break. </p>
<p>Notrichenough mentioned that you’d have to transfer out of Babson if you change your mind about business-- not true, Babson is 50/50 business/liberal arts! They just excel in the business side. It’s big enough to have full flexibility and options, yet small enough to get personal attention and power and an individual. I’m a huge Babson fan…</p>