Is There A School That Fits What I'm Looking For?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>About Me:</p>

<p>3.9 UW GPA. Expecting about a 2100-2200 on my SATs based on the PSATs and practice SAT tests (from SAT books, etc). 8 AP classes by the time I graduate, and numerous honors classes. 8 years of varsity sports (4 tennis, 2 track, 2 golf). Around 250 SSL hours. Hopefully EIC of the school newspaper but at the very least 3 years of service on that.</p>

<p>What I am looking for in a school (somewhat in order):</p>

<p>Good business, engineering, journalism, and sports management programs (planning on majoring in either business or engineering, I haven't decided yet. The journalism program is nowhere near a must, just would be a nice thing to possibly minor or double major in. For the sports management programs, I'm interested in both undergrad and grad programs of the school because I might take graduate courses at the end of my time in undergrad (if the college I go to allows it))</p>

<p>Nice dorms</p>

<p>Nice campus - taking into consideration mostly what sports facilities are available for all students to play on (indoor/outdoor, basketball courts, possibly mountains available for skiing if you have a car, etc), food options on campus, and the beauty of it</p>

<p>Not known for excessive partying. I see myself partying some in college, but I want to be able to succeed socially even if I didn't.</p>

<p>Warm weather (at least not freezing, moderate is okay as well)</p>

<p>Good D1 sports teams (for watching, not playing)</p>

<p>I'm looking for safeties, matches, and reaches. Please explain what the school has (based on my list above) when suggesting it. Thanks in advance! :)</p>

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<p>First of all, it always amuses me when people’s first requirement is “good program in ___.” I mean, it’s one thing if you are planning to major in engineering or nursing becaue you pretty much need to major in that to work in those fields, but with anything else the major program should be the least of your worries. Many, many college students change their major (sometimes two or three times) before they finally settle on something that they want. And most solid schools have good reputations in all of their departments, or at least most of them.</p>

<p>As for partying, a lot of people here say “I’m not a partier.” You’re still in high school, you don’t know WHAT you are. I wasn’t a partier in high school either, and I partied a lot in college. Besides, even if you go to a huge university like Penn State that’s known for partying, there are ALWAYS going to be a contingent of people who only party occasionally or not at all. Just like at schools that aren’t known for partying, there are going to be a few wild partiers.</p>

<p>Anyway, I thought of</p>

<p>Duke (good engineering, warm weather, great D1 sports, beautiful campus - you’ll find a range of students with the whole partying thing here)</p>

<p>Georgia Tech (engineering powerhouse, warm weather, the campus is all right, dorms and food are not nice though, and they have good but not spectacular D1 sports)</p>

<p>Harvey Mudd (great for engineering, not so known for business, hear the campus is nice, not known for partying, beautiful weather, not D1 sports)</p>

<p>USC (great journalism, good business, nice campus, D1 sports, warm weather, again so huge you’ll find some kids who don’t want to party)</p>

<p>University of Georgia, Vanderbilt, UF, UT-Austin, Rice, Miami, Tulane, LSU, UVA might be some other schools to look into as well – all of them have at least one or two things on your list.</p>

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<p>Where do you live?</p>

<p>UVA was the first to come to mind.</p>

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<p>UVA’s a heck of a recommendation. Most everything you want + warm but with mountains and skiing nearby. Yeah, that’ll be hard to top.</p>

5

<p>Juliett that might be the one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard.</p>

<p>You are making fun of someone for wanting a school thats good in their major? What else would you want the school to be good in, considering thats what your entire undergraduate curriculum will be based on, and your employers will base decisions on. I should think the merit of YOUR major would be kindof important. </p>

<p>Or maybe your one of the type that thinks its all about their total rankings, however who cares how good a school is at business if I’m doing engineering? or who cares how good a school is at pre-law if I’m doing premed?</p>

<p>In my opinion the strength of the intended major is by far one of, if not the most important factor in college decision. Lord knows with this job market you need everything you can get to give you an edge up.</p>

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<p>“First of all, it always amuses me when people’s first requirement is “good program in ___.” I mean, it’s one thing if you are planning to major in engineering or nursing becaue you pretty much need to major in that to work in those fields, but with anything else the major program should be the least of your worries. Many, many college students change their major (sometimes two or three times) before they finally settle on something that they want. And most solid schools have good reputations in all of their departments, or at least most of them.”</p>

<p>First, was one of the two main ones I said not engineering? Second, the reason I listed so many majors was for that exact reason, so that the school had a decent program for me to switch into. Third, many solid universities are missing some of the major, well, majors (like business; UCLA is an example of that).</p>

<p>“As for partying, a lot of people here say “I’m not a partier.” You’re still in high school, you don’t know WHAT you are. I wasn’t a partier in high school either, and I partied a lot in college. Besides, even if you go to a huge university like Penn State that’s known for partying, there are ALWAYS going to be a contingent of people who only party occasionally or not at all. Just like at schools that aren’t known for partying, there are going to be a few wild partiers.”</p>

<p>That is actually really good advice. I will take that requirement off my list. Thanks</p>

<p>"Anyway, I thought of</p>

<p>Duke (good engineering, warm weather, great D1 sports, beautiful campus - you’ll find a range of students with the whole partying thing here)</p>

<p>Georgia Tech (engineering powerhouse, warm weather, the campus is all right, dorms and food are not nice though, and they have good but not spectacular D1 sports)</p>

<p>Harvey Mudd (great for engineering, not so known for business, hear the campus is nice, not known for partying, beautiful weather, not D1 sports)</p>

<p>USC (great journalism, good business, nice campus, D1 sports, warm weather, again so huge you’ll find some kids who don’t want to party)</p>

<p>University of Georgia, Vanderbilt, UF, UT-Austin, Rice, Miami, Tulane, LSU, UVA might be some other schools to look into as well – all of them have at least one or two things on your list."</p>

<p>What are Duke’s and Vanderbilt’s business undergrad programs like? USC is definitely on my list. Would you consider it a safety, match, or reach for me? UT-Austin and Miami also made my lists, do they have good engineering programs?</p>

<p>"Where do you live?</p>

<p>UVA was the first to come to mind.</p>

<p>UVA’s a heck of a recommendation. Most everything you want + warm but with mountains and skiing nearby. Yeah, that’ll be hard to top."</p>

<p>I live in MD so I have already visited UVA. EXTREMELY nice. However, is it worth 40K+ more than UMD? Another problem is I am scared I wouldn’t get into their business school after a year or two there. I’d much prefer to go to a school where I can apply directly to my school of interest so that I can make sure I can get in somewhere. Also, their dorms are terrible but that is being picky haha</p>

<p>Thanks to the people who have responded so far.</p>

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<p>Big Ten universities</p>

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<p>“Big Ten universities”</p>

<p>All of them? I highly doubt that.</p>

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<p>Well, let’s be frank here: If you don’t think UVA is worth $40K more than UMD, what schools do you think are worth that money? Because there are certainly students who say “I like my state school, I’m going to get into my state school, so I’m only going to apply to my state school and a few reaches that I would love to get into, even if it’s not probable that I will”. There is nothing wrong with this strategy so long as your state school is an academic and financial safety that you like.</p>

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<p>“Well, let’s be frank here: If you don’t think UVA is worth $40K more than UMD, what schools do you think are worth that money? Because there are certainly students who say “I like my state school, I’m going to get into my state school, so I’m only going to apply to my state school and a few reaches that I would love to get into, even if it’s not probable that I will”. There is nothing wrong with this strategy so long as your state school is an academic and financial safety that you like.”</p>

<p>Thats a good way to look at it. I was not saying it was not worth the extra money, its just a question my parents and I would have to consider.</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>duke does not have an undergraduate business program, but that doesn’t stop duke students from becoming successful in their business endeavors. CEOs (including the current acting CEO of Apple), CFOs, company presidents, etcetc come from duke. you do not need an undergraduate business program to pursue business. engineering at duke is good (like penn and columbia, although cornell is the best ivy for engineers), and is exceptional in BME. </p>

<p>btw, it matches your criteria. nice weather, BEAUTIFULLL campus, GREAT sports and unmatched sports culture. and although the stereotypical duke kid parties, it’s easy to avoid and still have an amazing college experience.</p>

<p>top 10 schools are pretty much reaches for everyone. so duke is a reach. i cannot elaborate too much on vanderbilt’s programs, as i know pretty little. but in terms of admissions, it’s more of a match.</p>

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<p>Vanderbilt doesn’t have undergrad business, but has a major in economics (and maybe a few others) if those interest you. You’d most likely be applying to the College of Arts & Sciences, and their majors are here: <a href=“http://www.vanderbilt.edu/cas/academics/majorsandminors/index.php[/url]”>http://www.vanderbilt.edu/cas/academics/majorsandminors/index.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Vandy’s campus is beautiful–it’s a national arboretum–, is relatively good at basketball and alright at football, but the sports culture is definitely there, and the perfect weather I believe. It actually has all four seasons, but it never gets too cold or too hot, usually staying in the 30-90 range for temperatures. As for the partying life, it’s a school dominated by Greek life (I think like 50% or more rush is the statistic), but you could always find the group who doesn’t want to party at any school. Plus, I’ve heard plenty of times from Vandy students that no one ever looks down on you for turning down a party if you’d rather study instead. They all understand, because their classes are just as rigorous as yours.</p>

<p>And if it helps any, I got in this year RD with really similar stats (8 APs, 2110 on my SAT, 3.98 GPA, etc).</p>

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<p>University of Michigan. but it doesnt fit your weather requests</p>

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<p>UVA is head and shoulders better than Maryland, and your degree will be worth far more when you graduate. McIntire was just rated the #1 undergraduate business program by Businessweek, and the school definitely fits your description of what you are looking for. Do not be scared about getting rejected from the Comm School; if you do what you’re supposed to do, you will get in. Those who get rejected usually have slacked off here or there in their first two years.</p>

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<p>"duke does not have an undergraduate business program, but that doesn’t stop duke students from becoming successful in their business endeavors. CEOs (including the current acting CEO of Apple), CFOs, company presidents, etcetc come from duke. you do not need an undergraduate business program to pursue business. engineering at duke is good (like penn and columbia, although cornell is the best ivy for engineers), and is exceptional in BME.</p>

<p>btw, it matches your criteria. nice weather, BEAUTIFULLL campus, GREAT sports and unmatched sports culture. and although the stereotypical duke kid parties, it’s easy to avoid and still have an amazing college experience.</p>

<p>top 10 schools are pretty much reaches for everyone. so duke is a reach. i cannot elaborate too much on vanderbilt’s programs, as i know pretty little. but in terms of admissions, it’s more of a match."</p>

<p>I realize that some businessmen do not have a business degree, but I would think the majority do. The ones who don’t probably have some ridiculous connections (which I do not have). It does meet the rest of my criteria though I guess.</p>

<p>Its definitely a school I will consider (especially if my reach list is short)</p>

<p>"Vanderbilt doesn’t have undergrad business, but has a major in economics (and maybe a few others) if those interest you. You’d most likely be applying to the College of Arts & Sciences, and their majors are here: <a href=“http://www.vanderbilt.edu/cas/academ...nors/index.php[/url]”>http://www.vanderbilt.edu/cas/academ...nors/index.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Vandy’s campus is beautiful–it’s a national arboretum–, is relatively good at basketball and alright at football, but the sports culture is definitely there, and the perfect weather I believe. It actually has all four seasons, but it never gets too cold or too hot, usually staying in the 30-90 range for temperatures. As for the partying life, it’s a school dominated by Greek life (I think like 50% or more rush is the statistic), but you could always find the group who doesn’t want to party at any school. Plus, I’ve heard plenty of times from Vandy students that no one ever looks down on you for turning down a party if you’d rather study instead. They all understand, because their classes are just as rigorous as yours.</p>

<p>And if it helps any, I got in this year RD with really similar stats (8 APs, 2110 on my SAT, 3.98 GPA, etc). "</p>

<p>Unfortunately I was looking more at accounting and VU doesn’t offer that. It would definitely be a good match school to add IF I decide I want to go into engineering. I just don’t know if I could commit to that though.</p>

<p>“UVA is head and shoulders better than Maryland, and your degree will be worth far more when you graduate. McIntire was just rated the #1 undergraduate business program by Businessweek, and the school definitely fits your description of what you are looking for. Do not be scared about getting rejected from the Comm School; if you do what you’re supposed to do, you will get in. Those who get rejected usually have slacked off here or there in their first two years.”</p>

<p>Maryland has a top 40 business program, a great engineering program (top 20 if I remember correctly?), and one of the top five journalism schools. I don’t think that any of those degrees would be looked poorly upon. Yes I could get a degree from the “#1” business school by going to UVA, but how much easier would it be to get a job with that degree as opposed to a business degree from UMD? Can UVA match UMDs engineering and journalism programs? The weather is basically identical (maybe 2 degrees warmer on average). One thing it definitely has going for it though is that it is a much nicer college town. MUCH nicer.</p>

<p>“If you do what you’re supposed to do, you will get in.” What does that mean? Straight A’s? Only a few Bs? Could you be more specific please? Thanks</p>

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<p>go to tufts</p>

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</p>

<p>most don’t have an undergraduate business degree. most have and MBA, etc. duke is one of the best schools at sending students to elite business schools. look into schools’ pre-business advising as well :slight_smile: duke has pretty recognized advisors.</p>

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<p>“most don’t have an undergraduate business degree. most have and MBA, etc. duke is one of the best schools at sending students to elite business schools. look into schools’ pre-business advising as well duke has pretty recognized advisors.”</p>

<p>True, but you know what I meant. Most specialized in business at one point. It would be cheapest for me to not go to grad school if I don’t have to. If I have to for a certain career path, that is dandy, but if I can just do undergrad business and call it a day, why would I not just do that?</p>

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<p>well that is up to you :slight_smile: would you feel ready enough with simply an undergraduate degree in business? personally, (and this is simply personally, so do not take it as “the right decision or anything,”) but i’d only feel comfortable enough if i came out of wharton as an undergraduate. an undergraduate business school can only prepare you so much.</p>

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<p>“well that is up to you would you feel ready enough with simply an undergraduate degree in business? personally, (and this is simply personally, so do not take it as “the right decision or anything,”) but i’d only feel comfortable enough if i came out of wharton as an undergraduate. an undergraduate business school can only prepare you so much.”</p>

<p>Thanks, I have to consider everything at the moment I suppose. What is the major difference between the two? Wouldn’t you take most of the same classes? Plus you have more time for internships undergrad? I have no idea really, I’ll take any information I can get.</p>