<p>S has been accepted to Lehigh, Bucknell and Boston College to their respective schools of business. He is also very good at math and the sciences, so may be interested in engineering, just doesn’t really know what engineering is and if right for him. Has visited all three for candidates days over the past couple of weekends, and loves all of them. He thinks he wants Greek life, which would rule out BC, but BC still has a great social scene. BC would also be out if he wanted to explore engineering. However, BC has the 6th best undergraduate business school in the nation, according to Bloomberg/Business Week, so would probably be the best choice for business (although Lehigh is no slouch either, and their business school presentation was impressive). Lehigh is more flexible than Bucknell in allowing transferring between business and engineering colleges, and also has the IBE program if he wanted to pursue. Bucknell has a great campus, Greek life and overall reputation, not really sure how business stacks up against BC or Lehigh, but my feeling is that it is not quite up to par with the others. At present, S thinks he wants to work in NYC in accounting or on Wall Street. We live close to Lehigh, and I am an alum, so he has been there often and is very comfortable there. Lehigh’s net cost after aid is the lowest, and proximity to home would save even more in travel, etc.</p>
<p>He’s really struggling with his decision… any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Your son should not go to a school just because of its ranking. Boston College has an excellent business program, but is also doesn’t have the other factors he wants. From what you wrote, it sounds like Lehigh would be the best choice for him. College is what you make of it, so if he goes to Lehigh and does well, he should be able to reach his desired final destination (working on Wall Street).</p>
<p>In viewing this from a distance (which is what we are doing) and considering what you have laid out its a no brainer for Lehigh. It gives the flexibility for Bus/Eng and yes on paper BC may be a “better” business school but doing well in accounting at Lehigh will still get him in the Big 4 just as easily. Money situation sounds better as well. Go for the flexibility (kids change their minds) and money and a really good school.</p>
<p>One can learn accounting from practically any school. And the Big 4 hires from the lowest of state directional U’s.</p>
<p>Chances of Wall Street are slim for everyone, but the chances are greatly enhanced by attending a much higher ranked* school (which BC is). The Street is full of prestige hounds (by definition).</p>
<p>How bad does he want the Eng option?</p>
<p>Other considerations are campus life. Urban, semi-rural, vs. suburban.</p>
<p>Size? (Bucknell is too small for many, and may require a car to ‘get away’.)</p>
<p>*I’m much more a fan of USNews, which has BC undergrad biz in the mid-20’s, while Lehigh is ~60 spots lower.</p>
<p>Boston College is Ranked Higher than Lehigh but if you look a their undergrad profiles on businessweek you can see that both colleges get very similar results</p>
<p>I thank you all for your thoughtful, candid comments and observations… they are all excellent and meaningful and will certainly be helpful to my S as he struggles with his decision over the next few days. I always taught him that if he worked hard, he will have many wonderful choices in life. Another life lesson learned - when you have many wonderful choices, the choices aren’t so easy! However, better to have many choices than none at all. </p>
<p>If you have any more comments to add, please keep them coming! Thank you again.</p>