ND Mendoza or UMich Ross

I was recently awarded preferred admission to Ross, and I am in-state. I also was pre-approved for Mendoza. I think I want to study finance and political science, and I love both schools. What are your thoughts on both programs? ND alums love to say that Mendoza is the best business school in the country, but that’s only for Bloomberg. Ross seems to be a name brand–how would Ross or Mendoza help my future aspirations? I intend to pursue either investment banking, politics, or law school after graduation. Is Mendoza/the notre dame experience worth a price difference?

Thanks for your input.

Ross>Mendoza for IB. Michigan Ross is worth a premium over ND Mendoza for business. In your case, with Michigan being much cheaper, it’s really a no brainier. Go Blue!

I come from a ND family but with a pre-admit to both it is hard to justify the extra money for ND unless there is something about ND (ex. religious aspect, residential system) that really speaks to you and makes you feel that it would be a better personal fit.

I would go to Michigan because of the cost, not because of investment banking. Investment banks are shrinking as are commercial banks. It is a declining business.

In other aspects of financial services, ND has a bigger advantage and infinitely better alumni network.

Students like to romance about traditional IB but it is a business in decline. Don’t pick your school based on this.

Also, these companies are finding LAC grads very attractive these days, unlike years ago so you are competing against kids with better skills in many cases, Math especially.

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“In other aspects of financial services, ND has a bigger advantage and infinitely better alumni network”

Lol

Different experiences but similar quality and reputation.
Since Ross is cheaper, unless your family’s a die-hard ND family (and has the money out of pocket), Ross should be a no brainer.

Do you know if ND will give aid to make cost similar?

Are your family members die-hard ND folks?

What are your parents saying?

They’re both excellent. What are your non-academic feelings towards each one?

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@mom2collegekids @happy1 There’s something about ND that I really like. It’s a combination of the size, the religion, and the residential colleges. But my parents just had a cow over my lack of aid from hopkins (expected contribution of 53k a year) and are not expecting much from ND. Ross is more and more likely every day.

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I guess all you can do is wait and see how the aid from ND shakes out and take it from there. Congratulations on having such excellent choices – you can’t make a bad decision.

Both great business school. Contrary to what some Irish faithful may claim, Notre Dame’s alumni network is no more potent than Michigan’s, not because Notre Dame’s network isn’t excellent, but rather, because Michigan’s alumni are every bit as loyal. That being said, alumni networks are very overrated, especially in this day and age, when nepotism and cronyism in the workplace are frowned upon, if not forbidden altogether,

Ross is considered better in absolute terms, but that does not mean better career prospects. I think Mendoza students have equally good job opportunities as Ross students. If cost of attendance is a concern, and assuming Notre Dame does not offer significant FA, I would go for Ross. Otherwise, go for fit.

Ross is a great school and given the money differential, I can’t imagine turning it down.

University of Michigan HANDS DOWN

DITTO: Go to Michigan and get a great Business education. MBA programs give little to no aid so save your money for grad school.