<p>Hi,
I know this question gets asked quite often, but despite looking through those threads, I am still totally stuck in a rut. As the title indicates, I'm between Indiana and Miami. I plan on double majoring in marketing and economics, but could possibly major in management and econ (unlikely). I got an ACT score of 32, have a gpa of 4.0 (UW 3.7), and am from Illinois. I have a pretty rigorous schedule, 10+ total AP classes, honors, what not. I plan on going to grad school, either NW or UC (assuming I can even get in). The main things to me are quality of education, scholarship money, academic-type clubs (debate, speech), and prestige (basically ability to get a job or into grad school right out of college). I would also appreciate some clarification on the U.S news/business rankings and why they are so different, esp. for Miami.<br>
Thanks reading my super long blurb and thanks in advance for whatever you have to say!</p>
<p>Also, UW - Madison, Illinois, Texas, and Michigan are all in the mix, but very far behind these two.</p>
<p>I would choose Indiana over Miami Ohio in a heartbeat. I am simply not a fan of the smaller state schools that try to claim they offer superior education at undergrad level. I don’t buy it. IU Kelley trumps. That said, Texas is strong in many academic areas and I would not rule it out if you can get in. </p>
<p>Indiana has more to offer on all levels than Miami- Big Ten sports, large research university, awesome music school with concerts every night… Miami is more preppy and isn’t bad, but not as good as IU.</p>
<p>Are you aware of the revised Miami scholarship program for 2013 admissions?? With your stats you will have no less than a 50% tuition scholarship and it could be up to a full tuition scholarship! </p>
<p>As far as Farmer versus Kelly, both schools are extremely well regarded in Chicago and going to one or the other will not result in any difference in opportunities. All the major accounting/consulting firms in Chicago recruit heavily at both campuses - likewise the major banks and corporations. </p>
<p>You should visit both campuses because you will likely find the vibe of one of them more appealing. Both are regarded as beautiful - but do you prefer red brick or limestone? Do you want a small college town or a college city? Do you want an extremely large school and campus or a medium sized campus? Both schools have a big Greek scene. Bloomington has more to do, but you need to be 21+ to participate at most venues. Oxford is smaller but has a decent number of clubs where you only need to be 18 - is that important to you?</p>
<p>Personally I’d lean toward IU-Kelley. I think IU is an under-appreciated gem in a fun college town. There is certainly something to be said for the Big 10 sports experiences (I know, I know, the football team does stink, but basketball is very good). With your stats I think you’ll qualify for pre-admit to Kelley as well as some automatic merit scholarships. Check the web sites for both.</p>
<p>Check the placement office data for both schools and see if you can get feedback about where geographically they are strongest. I think Kelley brings more weight than Miami (OH) and seems to have strong connections for jobs in Chicago (as well as the obvious Indianapolis strength). When I worked in Chicago we saw a lot of UIUC, Indiana-Kelley and Notre Dame grads for interviews. I don’t recall any Miami (OH) grads, but that’s just one data point.</p>
<p>Miami is so much smaller that it just doesn’t have the number of alums out there in the business world. It is well regarded, but not as much as Kelley.</p>
<p>Well if we are going to cite data points, here’s another that was just publicly announced last month - the newest member of the Management Committee (picture in the annual report) of the largest bank in Chicago is a Miami alum. BTW, he was also named the head of Human Resources. </p>
<p>If you go to either school, and do well, you will have good opportunties. If you barely graduate from either school you will have a tough time in this economy.</p>
<p>Thank you guys for all the responses! In regards to the questions:
I have not “officially” visited either, but I have been to both within the last 4 or so years due to Fam. Love both campuses, slight lean towards Miami but could go either way really.
We can “afford” to go to any of the schools, but we are not made out of money obviously and so in regards to Miami’s scholarships (half off+) that is certainly very big, esp. in comparison to IU’s 9k a year.
Clubs aren’t a big deal to me. School clubs are important, but not so much the others.</p>
<p>Although IU and Miami both have active Greek life, I think that it is easier to avoid Greek Life at IU than at Miami. Miami has 50 Greek organizations and a higher percentage of students participating. If you want an active Greek life, then Miami leads. If you just want the fun party scene without the greek life, then IU takes the edge. </p>
<p>OP, I think Suzy was asking MomofWildChild if she had been to both based on her dismissive comments regarding small schools. </p>
<p>Oops! My bad, I can see why you thought that. I was actually asking the OP if he/she had visited. <em>insert embarrassed smiley guy here</em></p>
<p>As for Greek life, I think it matters whether you are male or female for these schools. At Miami, the sororities don’t have houses, so I think you can participate but not have it dominate your life as much as it might at IU. Also, I know there are threads here about how rough the rush process can be at IU for women. If you are male, I’m not sure there is much of a difference. I think I agree with MizzBee when she says: If you just want the fun party scene without the greek life, then IU takes the edge. However, I do know people who went to Miami without joining the Greek scene and had themselves a fine time. :)</p>
<p>I thought Suzy was asking the OP about visiting the two schools. As for me, yes, I am very familiar with both schools. I am a Kelley grad and active alum and went through Miami ups and downs with a friend’s daughter recently and have visited campus.</p>
<p>Full disclosure: I graduated from Miami many years ago and did belong to a sorority. My brother went there also, and did not go greek and loved his time there. My SS is headed there this fall, and he’s a very cool kid who may or may not go Greek. He just liked the smaller feel of the place over IU. I also think IU is a very fine school, with an absolutely beautiful campus and have friends who loved their time there.</p>
<p>I appreciate the opinions on the Greek life and party life, that is certainly a big portion for me, but not as big as school of course :D.
Being a guy, I’m not too worried about rush, and I’m still not too sure if I want to join a frat at all. As to UIUC, I don’t love the campus, I think their COB is a little below both MU and IU, and a lot of people obviously go there. Plus, I feel like Business is the main priority of MU and IU, versus engineering at UIUC. Feel free to call me out if I am wrong though!</p>
<p>For Business Miami (OH) is basically the same as IU, it should be cheaper for you to go to Miami though as their scholarships are more generous.</p>
<p>You are wrong. UIUC is on par with IU business and tops in the US for accounting. Miami is a good notch below both. Translates into lower starting pay and fewer recruiting companies.</p>
<p>That is just one rating and it moves all over the place from year to year which suggests it is not valid because schools do not change much year to year. US News is better. IU and UIUC are Top 15 and MU is not Top 40.</p>