I am currently a senior and have gotten into Loyola (Chicago), Depaul Univerity, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), and Northern Illinois University. Currently, I am stuck on deciding which school to go to. For Depaul and Loyola I would have to commute, as they are more expensive and commuting would lessen the cost. I don’t have the best social life right now as a high schooler and am looking to improve that. I want to go into business so academically speaking, Loyola or DePaul fits that criteria, but I wouldn’t get the college life as I would have to commute. Any tips on what school I should go to if I am looking to pursue a business profession, while having a social life in college. Thanks
net cost for DePaul/ Loyola per year after scholarship $13000-$16,000 (x4): roughly $37,000
net cost NIU/ UIC: $25000
18 minutes from Lincoln Wood (Chicago Suburbs)
The issue is that none of those schools are traditional residential schools. DePaul/Loyola/UIC are mostly commuter based schools. NIU is a suitcase campus. NIU is the closest to a traditional campus. Since you live in Lincolnwood, you can commuter to DePaul, Loyola, or UIC. Loyola is the closest in Rogers Park. Next closest is DePaul in Lincoln Park, and the furthest is UIC in the near West side. Many Chicago schools offer the U-Pass which will give you unlimited rides on the CTA for the semester. My guess on the CTA it will take you 45 minutes-1 hour to get to UIC and for DePaul, in the neighborhood of 30 minutes. The 20 minute number sounds like the one for Loyola. Loyola/DePaul are on the Red line, DePaul is also on the Brown/Purple line and UIC is on the Blue or Pink Line depending on the campus. You will have to live on campus for NIU. With the urban commuter schools, the experience is largely up to you. You can be as involved as you decide to be. The all have various clubs/organizations/fraternities/sororities.
It is not worthwhile to go into much debt for undergraduate work. So many people will suffer for it. Experience is the great equalizer in the working world. I recommend the cheapest school. Debt will last a lot longer than it will take to get experience. If you do go into business, do not get an undergrad degree in business administration because it is seen as worthless. You are better off in getting a degree in something like finance or accounting. You will get a better job with those degrees.
I am still deciding whether to go into finance or health care management and get a masters in either or. However, I will decide that once I start taking classes my first two years. I know that DePaul has a better business reputation in finance/ accounting compared to the other three schools I would apply to. The problem, I feel is that if I commute by car every day from and back school, I would be missing out in the college experience and gaining that better social life as well. Only if I am willing to commute I can go to DePaul or Loyola. Other consideration is if I get scholarship money, than my parents would reconsider letting me live on campus. My house is in Palatine, Illinois…to do this I would have to stay at my uncle’s place for 3-4 years at least. Thanks for your opinion, and sorry if I am making this more confusing.
Reputation of a college generally doesn’t matter after your first job but debt does. So many people think going to a specific school will really increase their chances but in reality, every year out of school, the less important it becomes. Long term, the most important thing is experience and recommendations.
UIC does have a bachelors in health information management but it is a selective undergrad program. You cannot apply until sophomore year for junior year. It is not in the business college but in applied health sciences.
The idea of commuting to DePaul by car from Lincolnshire/Palatine is not a good one. There is terrible traffic and congestion down there. Also, there will be parking fees. It will probably be a few hundred dollars a semester to get a parking spot. It would be a nightmare. I would recommend taking the Skokie Swift to the Red/Purple line and heading to DePaul that way.
Don’t expect scholarship money from NIU/UIC. Unless you are truly exceptional, there are very few scholarships at public schools. You will need to contact Loyola/DePaul for more information about potential scholarships.
If you want a traditional college experience, which sounds like you want, than NIU is your best choice. They have an excellent accounting program.
Don’t worry about graduate school at this point. You are far away from it. Although, I believe UIC does have a dual enrollment type program, not GPPA, for bachelors and masters of accounting. Certain classes will go for both undergrad and grad; therefore, you can get the masters one year after completing bachelors.
You need to think of college as a kind of investment. You need to determine which will give you the best overall return on investment.
Have you considered a school like Ball State?
The school participates in the Midwest Student Exchange Program where you get reduced OOS if you live in certain states, and IL is one of them. Tuition for MESP is roughly $14k for IL residents.
It’s got a b-school where you can major in finance. The school’s MBA program has a concentration in health economics, policy, and admin.
How about ISU? Tuition is about $14k for IL residents too.
App deadlines for both schools haven’t passed either.
Both schools would definitely give you the typical college experience.
Otherwise, I agree with @Nova10. NIU would be the way to go if getting the typical college experience is high on your list for choosing a school. Who knows? Maybe you’ll decide to be lawyer and NIU does have a law school.