<p>I've posted a similar thread a few days ago, but I'd thought I would get more opinions on a similar topic that I'm still debating myself with. </p>
<p>I'm a marketing major and I am not sure to choose the cheaper state college (NIU) or the private, expensive one (Loyola Chicago). </p>
<p>I read recently that one in four hiring managers believe relevant work experience is the number one thing they look for in perspective employees. Loyola's business college in on the watertower campus off of N. Michigan avenue and they say on thier website they have connections to top fortune 500 companies within the area. </p>
<p>However, NIU is in Decalb...with cornfields...but it is MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper. They have an internship webpage at NIU as well, but how would I intern at places if I am in a campus with no car an hour away from Chicago. I don't think there are many places to intern in Decalb for marketing--despite what thier website says. </p>
<p>I think that if it were me, I would move heaven and earth to go to UIUC.</p>
<p>I realize that this decision would inconvenience you and/or your parents. But UIUC is an excellent place, it meets your needs: it is affordable, it is not confining, it is a good school, it is worthy of your academic background, it will help you find a job.</p>
<p>So, if it were me, I would be brainstorming as to how to get myself to UIUC. </p>
<p>Maybe move temporarily with your parents, if that won't disturb your status as a legal resident of Illinois. Maybe get a job and an apartment (perhaps your parents would help financially). Maybe try for an internship. Maybe ask for ideas at your current school. </p>
<p>I believe that you can arrange UIUC, if you set your mind to it.</p>
<p>As a person who does hiring, NIU isn't looked at as areal strong school.
UICU is looked at as much stronger; superoir to Loyola.</p>
<p>One thing the you might want to check out is Bradley. They give out a lot of aid (so much that the cost (in-state) can end up lower than UICU) and they have a good rep with hiring pros. They also do a lot of internships.</p>
<p>I wouldn't bust your budget to go to Loyola. For less cash, UICU is a much superior school (IMHO).</p>
<p>before you make a decision you should talk to current students at NIU and see what their experiences have been with internships. Web pages and glossy brochures can promise the world, so talk to real students and see if they are actually taking part in internships or not.</p>
<p>And yes, I'd agree that internships are the KEY to getting a good job out of college. Employers have a stack of resumes from kids with the same major and gpa range; the applicants that stand out are the ones that can say "I know marketing is a fit for me because I interned at XYZ and did ...." as opposed to the ones who can only say "Gee, I think I'd like working in the marketing field"</p>
<p>Thanks for all of your responses, but I have no interest in going to
U of I at UC, for a couple of reasons. I applied there last year for poly sci and got accepted. I was very much dedicated to going there and even sent back an "intent to enroll" and sent in a housing deposit. Months later I realized I really did not care for the major and changed my major to marketing, and it was a big hassle to tell them I had to stay at my community college and was not going there. For this reason, I'm not so sure they would give me a chance again if I reapplied for business.</p>
<p>Also, thier business college is very, very competitive to get in--especially for transfers. They hardly let transfers in as it is. And now they are employing a new system there they are attempting to admit more kids out of state to gain more of a national reputation. If I wasted a whole other semester (because no one can get in during the spring semester), and not get accepted--that would be an extreme waste of my time. </p>
<p>Also, I have only had two years of Spanish in highschool, and one semester in college. Thus, they require me to take three more semesters in college--which I'm not willing to take.</p>
<p>Another reason, is because I don't really like how many kids go there. I prefer a smaller campus. 40,000+ kids is too much for me! And thier living conditions for the dorms are a ripoff, because there is no air condition in most dorms. That sounds spoiled, but one thing I require is ac, especially at UC when it can get extremely hot.</p>
<p>Plus, U of I is not very much affordable anymore. Cheaper than private schools-yes. But they are raising thier tuition every year, and within the next year it will be a ginormous raise. And U of I is very,very stingy with financial aid.</p>
<p>So there's really my predicament. I have no interest going to my flagship state university, but my other stat uni's have not been able to gain as much repuation and prestige. And the private one's cost so much. That's why I had narrowed it down to Loyola--depending on how much aid they give me, UIC and NIU.</p>
<p>Do you have any more thoughts about UIC? While the quality of the administration there may be a concern, your day-to-day life as a student is more centered on location, faculty, courses, living arrangements, and job prospects. What is your thinking about those things?</p>
<p>If you have reservations about UIC, have you considered out-of-state public colleges, with the idea that you might go to one of them if their aid packages were acceptable? What about University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee? It is comparable in size to NIU and UIC. The campus and surrounding area are quite pleasant.</p>
<p>What about other private colleges in your area or in nearby cities like Milwaukee? So, I guess my basic question then is: why restrict your search to three schools, given that you seem to have some significant reservations about each of them?</p>