I’ve been accepted to the Farmer business school for Supply Chain and Operations management with a merit aid package of 19k a year and admittance into the University Scholars Program. I have not yet visited but I’ve heard amazing things and seems appealing. I have applied RD to UMass Amherst for operations and informations management. I have been told Farmer and Isenberg are at about the same difficulty to get into and believe I am a strong candidate for Isenberg plus I’m an in state student and a minority. Assuming I get in, which one is more highly regarded in the field? What are the pros and cons of both? If they are both about the same, I will probably go with the cheaper one unless I love Miami when I visit (I visited UMass and while it was okay, I was not in love with it, plus a lot of kids from my school go there).
It seems from my research that Farmer is #1 in Supply Chain for undergrad programs but Isenberg is higher ranked overall…I’m just wondering which ranking would matter more in the job market/education-wise?
Hey! I was in the exact exact same position last year and chose Miami. Absolutely love it and feel very confident that my farmer degree will be incredibly valuable and comparable to UMass but with a college feel/campus/stuff that appeals to me more!! Feel free to ask me anything.
@susanhell I got back the financial aid package for Miami and I’m unsure if I want to pay 18k a year plus travel costs but from what I’m hearing from students, it might be worth it! So you’re happy with your decision then? How big are your Farmer classes? Do you like the surrounding area?
@ciara2021 our daughter is in the midst of trying to make the same decision - lots to love about both schools! We haven’t heard anything from Miami re: financial stuff, though. Can I ask you how long after you received the notice of acceptance that you heard regarding financial package? We will call this week, if nothing comes - it has already been about two weeks since she received her invitation to attend. Good luck to you! We just visited Miami a couple of weeks ago and were very impressed.
Back to add, that per your question re the area around Miami (Oxford) - it is a very small college town - located in what feels like the middle of nowhere - though in truth, it only an hour’s drive from Cincinnati. Amherst is dynamic and lively - very much a college town, but has quite a bit more going on by way of shopping, restaurants, etc.
@garvey I got accepted in late December and got the financial aid package the last week of January. I’m in state for UMass and I’m not sure I want to be so far away from home. That and the price are the only things making me hesitate. I have visited Amherst multiple times and have friends that go there and love it. My decision will mostly be based on the finances but I’m keeping an open mind while visiting Miami! Good luck to your daughter!
Amherst definitely does have more going on in ways of a town however Oxford is quite fun. The bars are 18+ to enter. My classes at farmer are great my intro accounting class is 200 kids and my econ class is about 90. However, I’ve had classes as small as 25-30 kids.
@ciara2021 You mention that Miami is $18K. Your instate cost to UMASS will be close to $30k. Miami will most likely be a competitive school cost.
@MassDaD68 Although I haven’t received a finaid package for UMass, I know I have a federal pell grant for $6.8k and a scholarship specific to state schools for about another 2k. I would have to factor in travel costs from MA to OH, so, UMass would most likely be cheaper even without looking at any scholarships/grants they would offer me.
@susanhell Oh, okay, thank you! How is class availability? Is it hard to get a class you want/need for your major?
@ciara2021 not at all for the FSB classes. If you want to take a popular elective for a Miami Core requirement that might be a little harder. But like most likely you’re not gonna have any problems. And even if at the time of registration you dont get exactly what you want, people will usually drop a class right before a semester and spaces open up. Are you going to a make it miami? It was a super helpful experience to help me decide.
@susanhell I’m going to one in April! And okay, thank you! I think I will have definitely made up my mind after the Make It Miami 
When you visit schools, look at placement and where graduates are going in terms of salary, job titles, and location. If you want to be in the Boston area long term, it’s something to consider.