Hi all! I’m currently a junior in high school and I need help finding colleges with respectable undergrad business programs. I plan to go into finance (career choice as of now is financial analyst) in college or something else business related. I’ve looked into it a bit, but most rankings are only for MBAs and businessweek stopped doing their undergrad rankings. Obviously there are Ivy Leagues and the likes, but I was wondering if there were any colleges that aren’t “too” selective because AP Calc BC lowered my gpa to a 3.8 on the 4.0 scale (It says 4.19 on my transcript but that’s weighted/not 4.0 scale).I currently reside in California, but I’m fine with going out of state as long as it isn’t too expensive. My parents only have 10k saved for my college and I have 2 sisters graduating the year after me that they also have to support. I’m not expecting much from government assistance because of my income bracket (160k+ without taxes), so affordability is an issue. I’m fine with accumalating debt as long as I can pay it back within a couple years of graduating (after which I will try to pursue an MBA). Right now I’m considering Irvine because I can probably get into that, but I can’t find much regarding them.
As for some profiling on me:
I’m currently a Junior and have a 3.8 GPA on the 4.0 scale (4.19 weighted/not 4.0 scale). I’m in the top 10% of my class (7%). I run varsity track (not fast enough for college though). Sadly I haven’t done community service, nor am I involved in many clubs which is what I think hurts me the most. As for AP classes, I took Chem and World last year (4 on both). I’m taking Calc BC, Bio, US History, and Psych this year. Next year I’m taking macro/micro and Calc AB (I’m not failing BC but I don’t want to take a year off because I’m not too good at it). If there are spots open I will be taking a Intro to business and computer info science class during the summer at a local college through their Advanced Ed program and an accounting course and human career development course during the fall. The 4 courses (if there are spots) are also transferable to all UCs/CSUs.
Anyways sorry for the big wall of text. Any help will be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Do you have ACT or SAT scores?
Try using the supermatch function to the left.
If you don’t mind going across the country (and snow), you should take a hard look at the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. Their finance program is stellar and the students are extremely involved and enthusiastic. There’s a direct feed to Boston and some NYC finance companies too. There’s a lot of great things going on in the undergrad program including excellent profs, and activities like the Minuteman fund, entrepreneurship center, and a possible IT minor that fits well. Also, with your grades, and if you test well (2200+/31+) you could have a shot at the Commonwealth Honor College which is nothing short of spectacular. Take a look at both Isenberg and CHC. Being from Cali will probably be a great hook too and you’re likely to get a good OOS scholarship. Good luck.
By the way - get involved with some ECs you are interested in - now.
@intparent , late reply but I get my SAT results in May (I just took the new one), If I had to make a guess, I’d say at least a 1400 (judging from the fact that all my friends of similar level got 2100-2300+ on the old one)
@wayneandgarth Sorry for asking, but what is an EC? I’m assuming extra curriculars?
Correct