88jm19,
Thanks. Yes, I’ve seen that IU webpage and it is probably still relevant for the class of 2021 (that webpage refers to classes of 2016/17). So, when you made the comment on the “nearly double class sizes” you were really referring to realistic access to “meaningful participation/leadership positions and study abroad spots.” Gotcha. Ok. That’s a valid concern, to be sure.
I wonder if anyone here has a definitive answer to that concern. I haven’t thought to ask that of the school administration in my calls. Perhaps I’ll make such a call today, if I have time. On that point, however, I’d have to speculate that if that were an issue it would have become manifest in the student and alumni surveys done by third-party ranking organizations, most notably Poets & Quants. On those surveys, if memory serves me, I believe IU Kelley had the second highest student satisfaction scores in the nation on a comprehensive range of about 15 different, important aspects of student life—not just a few superficial questions about food, social scene, etc.
The second highest score in the nation is not too shabby.
Overall, I must say that I’m impressed with Kelley’s accomplishments. The biggest issue I have, and others have expressed this concern also, is the high acceptance rate. I’ve read all the compensating factors, and they do compensate, for IU, AS A UNIVERSITY, does have impressive achievements and assets, without question. I won’t enumerate them here because I’m sure most readers concerned with this topic are aware of them. Still and all, there is, I suppose, a mental disconnect, because I think most of us equate quality of a university with stringent acceptance standards, which, of course Kelley, specifically, has (if I recall, it is the 19th most selective of the top 50 undergrad business schools, according to P&Q). Again, not too shabby. And, of course, who wouldn’t like smaller class sizes comparable with small LACS? But you ain’t gonna get that, anywhere, without paying a small fortune. Personnel costs are perhaps the single biggest strain on college budgets. Finally, IU Kelley has also, time and again, won accolades for their ability to make a large school seem smaller through various means and customized, ongoing attention to each student.
Our family entered this college search process, a year ago, with the intention of sending our son to a top, expensive, private or public school, paying full freight (we don’t come close to qualifying for need-based financial aid). We’ve been saving since before our son was born and have always placed the highest priority on preparing for the day when we must open our wallet for those college bills. As our search progressed, however, and I read more and more (and I’ve read a ton!), I kept reading over and over, by financial experts that in this “new normal” economy we have in America, since the 2008 Great Recession, with the consequent reduction in availability of employment for new grads, the calculus for spending on college has changed. Now, most experts recommend not paying full retail price for an overpriced education; instead, they stress seeking out value. (Some would say that the top 15 or so schools are still worth it, and that may be true, but it is a separate discussion.) I think the Kelley school, UIUC, UT Austin and other such schools provide that value.
Alvis888, I think this post this is relevant to your query!
However, the bank of mom and dad does have its limits. Therefore, we gave our son a choice (the same choice we will give his younger sister in a few years); either go to an expensive undergraduate college and not receive financial assistance for grad school or go to a more affordable undergrad school and get help from us paying grad school tuition bills. He made the wise (affordable) choice, and hopes to keep his grades high in order to get into the best grad school possible. Who knows how his plans will change as he navigates the college experience.
The only other thing that concerns me is the party scene at IU, but that is an issue at many, many schools. In our estimation, being in the Kelley school (better, more focused students) and being in the honors college dorm (more academically oriented pool of students) should help in that regard.
“However,” as the inimitable comedian, Professor Irwin Corey would say, none of these are guarantees our son won’t stray into a campus life of indolence and drunken stupor. A worry generations of parents have wrestled with.
In the end, we rely on the effectiveness of our parental roles and how well our children have internalized our lessons.
As Hodding Carter so beautifully said, “There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots; the other, wings.”
This thread rather veered off course from your op! I will say that Kelley at all levels was excellent in providing information and assistance to my student at every level of the admission and decision process, from front-line staff in admissions all the way up the to the top of the school. I do hope that you’ve been able to take advantage of such resources from all of your prospective schools. As to other sources on outcomes, do reach out to current students and grads at your target schools and in your target job market destinations, and even employers. My son has had those exact queries from seniors mulling their final decisions. Once again good luck!