<p>I know we have to make this decision, and much will be based on fit/"gut" but I'm looking for words of wisdom before committing.My son says he thinks he will be happy at any of them, and I think he's correct.
I know IU is ranked very highly, and S was awarded the highest OOS scholarship, plus honors to attend. We will be visiting in early March, and I'm sure he will like it. How significant is honors in the long run? IU would cost 10k or more per year more than other options. How important is rank?
We just returned from Miami Ohio, and we both liked it much more than we expected. Prior to visit it was my last choice, when I wasn't focused on money. Now I can totally see him there, even though it's not ranked as high as IU. Everyone at that school seemed genuinely HAPPY. It may not be quote as intense as the other two options, which could be good or bad. People did say the business classes are hard, which I think is good. He was awarded significant merit money, but he has not been invited to the honors program. Cost would be approximately half of IU.
He has attended summer programs at UMD, and he knows he likes the school. Overall UMD is ranked higher than the others, but not by a huge amount. We don't expect him to get any merit money, but we are in state. I'm not sure how Farmer and Smith rank against each other. Seems like different sources have vastly different opinions.
Job placement at all of them seems pretty strong. My opinion is UMD has a slight advantage for internships (could get one where he could live at home, for example) and would give him a better shot at local jobs when he graduates.
He will live on campus no matter where he attends.
We are willing to pay for any of the schools. His latest opinion is that unless one really stands out he will probably go to Maryland. He recognizes the "convenience" or whatever of living not too far from home. Sometimes he says he will go where it's cheapest, because they are all fine. I'm trying to figure out if I should really encourage him to take advantage of the merit offers because he can always fall back on UMD if he decides where he picks is not a good fit. Is being in honors going to make a huge school that much smaller? Is it that "prestigious" or whatever? Is it worth 40K? Is it better to be towards the top of the heap at one school, rather than in the middle at another?
What else should we be considering. Thanks</p>
<p>In terms of the business school, I would eliminate Miami U. because it doesnât have the reputation of the other ones. My son got into both Kelly and Smith and went to Smith (we are out of state for both); he is a senior and currently has two job offers. (The way things are going, he might have more but he has to tell one of the companies âyesâ next week so that will end his search. Both offers came through the âHire Smithâ system.) He had a great four years so obviously Iâm Smith biased. He might also want to think about where he wants to end up when he graduates, as there may be more Midwest companies interviewing at Kelly and more East coast ones at Smith. Finally, you can check rankings of the individual business school majors at each school if your son know what heâd like to major in. </p>
<p>Congrats and good luck!</p>
<p>I would go for UMD unless he was interested in being a music major, in which case Indiana is a superior school.</p>
<p>I, too, would eliminate Miami, since the other two are better choices for business. If it were my kid I would lean towards IU in order to experience a different part of the country and get out of state. Thatâs just me, though, and either would be a good pick. My IU Kelley undergrad degree has served me well even with a law degree from a top 4 law school! </p>
<p>Off topicâŠthe music program at Indiana is HUGE, and good. But the Clarise Smith Performing Arts Center at UMD-CP is one of the most spectacular college performance facilities we saw in MANY college tours!</p>
<p>I donât know a thing about business! Carry on!</p>
<p>I wouldnât write off Miami so quicklyâŠranked very high. There are lots of different rankings out there. This one by Bloomberg Businessweek has dropped UMD from its rankingsâŠ</p>
<p><a href=âBloomberg - Are you a robot?â>Bloomberg - Are you a robot?;
<p><a href=âBloomberg - Are you a robot?â>Bloomberg - Are you a robot?;
<p>Hi there. All good choices. If he is happy to go to UMD, then I would cross IU off the list. Sure IU is great but costs 40,000 more for a similar experience. Also, it is inconvenient to get to and adds travel expenses (flights are expensive at the holidays, cancelled due to bad weather, 11 hour drive, etc). Miami is somewhat different from UMD and since the cost is the same, let him pick. Again, travel will be difficult. He will really stand out at Miami if he got honors at IU. That could benefit him for special opportunities. Finally, call Miami and tell them you want the honors program. Many times, schools will reconsider this. </p>
<p>That ranking list makes no sense at all. Itâs missing some really top programs. I maintain that Miami U. doesmt have the rep of the other ones. Around here, itâs definitely a low B student school, </p>
<p>Well ReadyToRollâŠweâll have to agree to disagree about Miami. I would never classify it as a âlow B student schooIâ. The Farmer School of Business is top-notch. I agree with NavianceâŠunless money is no concern, IU is not worth an additional $40K for a similar experience. </p>
<p>Miami talks a good game and is a good fit for many students- it is popular around here for kids who want a smaller environment than a huge state school, but it just doesnât grab your attention academics-wise, no matter what they try to say.
I think IU is incredible and Kelley is really doing a lot of great things lately. </p>
<p>Here are some other rankings and data points that contradict being so dismissive of Miami and glowing of Maryland: </p>
<h1>1. From The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation website (the premier accrediting agency for business programs worldwide): <a href=âSearch Accredited Schools | AACSBâ>Page Error;
<p>Indiana University - Accredited in both Business and Accounting
Miami University (OH) - Accredited in both Business and Accounting
University of Maryland - Accredited only in Business</p>
<h1>2. From CCH Wolters Kluwerâs 32nd annual Public Accounting Report ranking of top national accounting programs (the oldest ranking of accounting programs conducted by a premier business publisher): <a href=âhttp://www.baruch.cuny.edu/news/documents/PARSurvey2013-BaruchRankings.pdfâ>http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/news/documents/PARSurvey2013-BaruchRankings.pdf</a></h1>
<p>Top Undergraduate Accounting Programs:</p>
<p>Indiana University #8
Miami University (OH) #18
University of Maryland - Program Not Ranked</p>
<p>Top Masters in Accounting Programs:</p>
<p>Indiana University #9
Miami University (OH) #19
University of Maryland - Program Not Ranked</p>
<p>EDIT to add: Not withstanding any of the cited ratings in this thread, if the OPâs son wants to stay on the east coast (Baltimore, DC etc.) for internships or jobs, he should probably go to Maryland. Indiana definitely has more of a national reputation, but most opportunities at any of the schools are definitely going to be in their home region. </p>
<p>FWIW, in my 30+ year business career at two of the largest banks in Chicago, I have met exactly two Maryland grads internally or at clients - both were mid-career transfers to Chicago. They were great guys and talented, but Maryland simply does not feed Chicago businesses. OTOH, I have met literally hundreds of Indiana and Miami grads. </p>
<p>My info is old but when my S was applying kids who did not get into Miami did get into Indiana. IU had the reputation as easier to get into than Ohio State or Miami. People love Miami and the alums are very loyal. </p>
<p>The val of my Sâs class went to Miami. She doubled majored, joined a sorority and had a great time. Sheâs now in grad school at an ivy which is very highly ranked in her field. </p>
<p>Saying all that, I would go to UMD if he wants to stay in the area. </p>
<p>I donât have a horse in this race but if rankings are being considered, Miami has a good USNWR one: <a href=âhttp://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/undergraduate-teachingâ>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/undergraduate-teaching</a></p>
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<p>Since youâve been to Miami youâre no doubt aware of this :D</p>
<p>nm</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. Most of this I understand, but if anyone can explain the first ranking/certification from Chicagobear Iâd appreciate it. I donât understand the difference between business and accounting, and why it matters. I noticed Harvard isnât on the second list, for example. This is truly a question, not meant to be doubtful or âsnarkyâ in any way.</p>
<p>1214mom - to clarify, the accounting accreditation is supplemental and secondary to overall business accreditation. </p>
<p>What you see regarding Harvard is the reality that many Ivy type schools do not offer an Accounting major - thus no accreditation. (Though some Ivy type schools do offer PhDâs In accounting.) Thatâs how Harvard has the most famous MBA, but is not accounting accredited.</p>
<p>Does this matter? It can if you are planning to major in accounting. For example here in Illinois, if wou want to take the CPA exam, an AACSB accredited masters degree is automatically deemed qualified to sit. Otherwise a class by class evaluation will need to be performed and specific class requirements met - various CPA forums have stories about students denied permission to sit due to not havimg all of the required credits. Not having this supplemental accreditation is not the end of the world, but it is the best sign of a high quality program. (Ecact requirements vary significantly by state - YMMV).</p>
<p>If an undergraduate accounting major IS
offered, and the overall Business program is accredited, I would question why the accounting program is not accredited. If you are not an accounting major, you probably wonât be too concerned, but it does reflect the accoumting program meets the highest standards.</p>
<p>The internships and jobs available in the DC area (or within easy commuting distance of any major city) should be a consideration. U-Md is an easy metro ride from everything in DC. This was something that was barely on my radar years ago, and certainly wasnât a part of my kidsâ thinking when choosing colleges. But it should have been. Easy physical access to internships and jobs made a difference. Kids (the ones I know) attending rural colleges have had to work much harder to find work and internships. Having said that, my youngest could easily end up at a small, rural LAC. Sort of laughing at myself right now. :)</p>
<p>Thanks CBear. I know that accounting is a subset of business, but the why the accreditation matters is what I was looking for. Thatâs a help.
Eastcoast, I am very aware of the benefits of the UMD location (if only they had metro there back in my day). Weighing all these things is very difficult. I know I have significant influence in this decision, and Iâm trying to influence smartly. The money issue, or lack of, is also interesting. He got no money for UMCP, so of he wanted to try a different school, he could fall back on UMD assuming he keeps his grades up, but if he picks UMD and doesnât like it, the big $$s other schools are offering wonât be available.
Anything else I should be considering? </p>
<p>I have to chime in to support Miami especially if money is not an issue. I would say it depends on where your son eventually wanted to live when he graduates. Miami is considered a Midwest âivyâ. It has phenomenal acceptance rates to grad schools. Midwest employers recruit heavily fom miami. Regarding the honors program, your son can always join sophomore year, thatâs what my son did. </p>
<p>Miami is really not considered a midwest âIvyâ. It is considered to be a state school that students often choose because they donât want a really huge state university. It does have a good focus on undergraduate education and throws a lot of money out to attract better students. It has a very big drinking scene (but where doesnât?) and is considered very white bread and preppy. As one frequent poster on this site will tell you ad nauseam, itâs worth going there if you can save a bunch of money that can be used for professional or graduate school. </p>