<p>Ok, do I've gotten back all but one (syracuse) of my decisions and I have been accepted into 6 schools. I am having such difficulty deciding on where to go. I was hoping to get some input. I want to major in business finance to become an investment banker. I don't really care whether the campus is huge or not or if there are 25-50k students. Just based on my intended major, what do you think would be the best school to go to and why please? </p>
<p>Drexel
West Virginia University
Montclair
Rider
Penn State- Altoona (I really don't know if I can wait 2 years to transfer to U-Park but idk).
George Mason</p>
<p>I have not heard back from Syracuse yet but I'm hoping I get in so if you'd like to include Syracuse into the mix, that is fine.</p>
<p>None of these schools will get you anywhere close to a top IB job. You’re going to need to go to a top 10 business school for an MBA before you’ll be able to consider going anywhere for an IB job. </p>
<p>That said, Drexel and Penn State would likely be your best options. I know Drexel has been spending considerable money on its business program and recently built an all new building for the LeBow college.</p>
<p>I have a college friend I believe teaches at Rider but I am unfamiliar with their overall reputation. Cannot comment directly on IB opptys, I’m an engineer. I’d look at the strengths of their business schools. Any organized programs, internships, or are you on your own? Now that I’ve disqualified myself, my opinion…I am biased towards schools with strong academic reputations, especially in quantitiative areas. Assuming cost is not a consideration…
Penn State, assuming you can transfer to State College and graduate from there. Majors in just about anything, humongous alumni network, national reputation (NOT referring to sports, either).
Drexel for overal technical/quant orientation. Proximity to Philadelphia business community is a plus for internship and summer employment.
George Mason - locally, while I know them for their IT programs, but may have a decent enough prep in business and finance. Possibility of gov’t and policy-related internships - DC is a Metro ride away. Econ department has some strong free-market streaks, at least at grad level.</p>
<ul>
<li>WVU: local perception is WVU is where a lot of the kids who are going to go to a college but didn’t get into Mason wind up. They get a good education (it’s what you put into it) but not considered academically as strong at the undergrad level as Mason in the crowd I am with. May be irrelevant for your needs.</li>
</ul>
<p>Montclair - has it escaped it’s teacher college roots? </p>
<p>I’d put Syracuse in the same mix as Penn State (main campus), Drexel, and Mason. </p>
<p>Financially - I suspect even with the OOS hit, Mason will be cheaper tuition, housing is going to be more (DC area). More likely to get finaid from a private school than as an OOS at any of the publics. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>From threads in the Parents Forum I gather that it is not strictly necessary to graduate from a limited set of colleges and universities in order to get into the career field that you want. However, if you start at a different place, you will need to put more effort into creating the set of contacts that will help you get in the door. One thing that you can do now, is ask the career center and the business department at each place on your list about job and internship placement from their program.</p>
<p>I appreciate your feedback NYU. I plan on going to school for my bachelors and then as long as I stay within a 3.9-4.0, I will apply to Harvard or Wharton for my MBA. I understand it will be difficult but I am READY for the challenge!! And the rest of you I thank you for your input. So really it would be down to Penn State (If I am willing to wait 2 years for the main campus), or Drexel. The maybe Syracuse if I get accepted there? Anymore responses?</p>
<p>I would suggest not going to Penn State because would you want to spend two years waiting to transfer? You shouldn’t go in to college knowing you really want to be somewhere else. You’ll have trouble building deep friendships because you’ll be somewhat guarded, and if you do end up making great relationships with other people, then you’ll just be leaving them behind and have to start all over at a new school. For some people, a school they thought they’d love doesn’t work out and they have to transfer. But it’s not a good idea to go into school with the already established plan to leave it.</p>