How is the Smith School of Business?

<p>I am applying to Maryland next year, specifically the business school. I wanted to know how it is in terms of job placement for undergraduate finance majors, and how Maryland grads are looked upon in comparison to grads from top schools such as Ivies, NYU Stern, etc. Thanks.</p>

<p>Smith is world re-known. I believe it is ranked number 18 in the world by USNWR. With that said you should realize it is not easy to get accepted. I am also going to be the pessimist for the class of 14, because due to the economy I think you will find the IS competition to get much more intense. For class of 12 they broke the records with 28K applicants, class of 13 beat 12, I am guessing 14 will beat 13.</p>

<p>Well, I have a few friends in the business school so I can share some qualitative info. </p>

<p>With decent grades and a life outside of academics (i.e. volunteer or get involved with some kind of meaningful club and maybe hold a campus job down with a customer service bent), internships for Smith students seem very easy to come by, even for sophomores. All of my rising junior friends are employed (though of course they sent out a lot of resumes) as paid interns, which is apparently rare overall for this economy. I imagine if you have had 2 internships graduating, a decent GPA, and some nice activities, you would fair quite well with anybody from NYU or an Ivy.</p>

<p>After all, it’s people in business more than anyone who know the “upper middle class woes” of not being able to afford 50K a year to sit in some classes. Haha. Another reason not to worry about some kid from Harvard taking your job (unless, of course, he’s more qualified than you…or taller?).</p>

<p>it is very difficult to get admitted to smith, min 1300 on SATs, but you can still be admittted to the university even if not in the business school. reapplying after soph is also difficult as well, but yes, it is very prestigious and well-known and offers many connections</p>

<p>

Ditto, based on firsthand knowledge.</p>

<p>For an earlier thread:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/554950-umcp-top-business-school.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/554950-umcp-top-business-school.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I normally wouldnt post on these forums but as an accounting and finance major at Smith, I feel as though Im obligated. If youre looking to go into accounting (any of the big 4) or logistics, Smith is a great place. Many firms, including all the big 4, recruit from Maryland multiple times a year and you definately will be able to land an accounting job. Same with logistics and supply chain. QUEST is a great program and many firms will recruit specifically from that.</p>

<p>On the other hand, if you want to get into finance or on Wall Street, look else where. The previous poster (on this thread or on the linked one) was correct. Many firms such as JPM Chase will only recruit for their back office in Delaware. We have no alumni connections to any investment banks and you will be disappointed by the job opportunities in finance.</p>

<p>how difficult is it to get into smith if not admitted directly as a freshman? (gpa, ecs,…) for those that don’t get accepted into smith when applying as soph, what are typical majors that people choose to pursue?</p>

<p>I would say it’s pretty difficult. More difficult than to get admitted as a freshmen, imho.</p>

<p>Your grades need to be pretty top notch. As and Bs. One C or D of course is fine as long as your overall GPA is strong; that is what they look at (3.5+).</p>

<p>I think the grades are most important, but it would help if you were decently involved as well. Maybe a campus job and volunteer work. Something besides surf club haha. </p>

<p>People who don’t get accepted tend to gravitate towards Econ as a major. Others go into PR/communications.</p>