<p>Anyways, here I am, high school senior living in the middle of no where, trying to get into a great finance school. First off, I live in Cameron, West Virginia. Never heard of it? No one has... It's one of the smallest schools in the state, and no one has ever made anything of themselves coming from here. I'm trying to be the first. Here is a quick look at my profile...</p>
<p>3.75 GPA
28 ACT Comp.
- 29 Eng
- 28 Math
10th Class Rank
National Honor Society President
FBLA Vice-President
Numerous clubs
3-year Varisty Baseball
2-year Varisty Basketball
A lot of volunteer work</p>
<p>I want to be a finance major, and in the future work with the stock market, whether that be IBanking, Financial Advisor, or whatever. I'm looking for a school with good connections for jobs, be in a big city (NYC, Boston), and, most obvious, be a great business/finance school.</p>
<p>I've been looking at a couple schools, but I'm not sure about some of them. I don't have the scores to get into NYU/Nova, but schools like Northeastern and UConn don't seem that crazy. I want to live in the Northeast or on the coast somewhere. I've already applied to WVU, basically as my last resort.</p>
<p>So, what am I asking? What school's are my best fit?</p>
<p>I like NEU and UConn. Look into these too: Boston U., Bentley College, Babson College, Fordham, Pace U. (safety), Hofstra (safety), or maybe Manhattan College (safety), Bryant College (safety). I think that the schools that don't have safety next to them are all matches for you. Don't count yourself out of NOVA, BTW.</p>
<p>northeastmom is giving you very solid advice, in my opinion. The
Univ. of Richmond has a top 10 finance dept. for undergraduates and is a wonderful school in many respects. Good luck.</p>
<p>Now what do you think of this... Going to WVU (saving untold amounts of money) for 4 years, then going to Boston U/Northeastern/Nova/wherever for graduate school? I had orginally planned on just doing both at the same school, but going to WVU would only cost me about $6000 a year (PROMISE scholarship covers all tution for in-state schools). Is this a good idea? Or would schools (Graduate) turn me away because I attended WVU? Or would that be a turn-off for possible employers?</p>
<p>Again, thanks for any and all advice. It really is appreciated.</p>
<p>WVU is, typically, not a highly regarded school. This means that more responsibility is placed upon the student to get a good education. Because you intend to get an MBA, you need to get meaningful work experience after college and competitive GMAT scores. Understanding your hurdles toward your goal of MBA school will help you decide. Success depends upon the individual; an elite or upper level school just presents more opportunities, but you really only need one opportunity to prove yourself.</p>
<p>That is a difficult, but important question to answer. If one is wealthy, then it would be worth investing in the school where one would receive the best education, have the most opportunities, and have the best fit. My own son did not attend his first choice, bc of money, and when decision time came, he opted for a traditional campus with a wide selection of majors. I know nothing about WVU to answer this question accurately. You need to ask if you are risking your goals by getting lost at a large public, vs. getting more attention at a private college. If you attend a private college, will that mean that you cannot go to graduate school without huge loans? There are many questions that only you can answer. I only listed the schools in Boston, or NY bc that is where you want to be. You might want to compromise and find a school that costs more than 6,000, but less than some of the private schools I listed. I don't know what your efc is, and how that will effect the bottom line of cost. If money is an issue, Uconn is very pricey OOS, and usually state schools offer $ to their instate students. It might not be worth even applying to, although their business school is excellent. Frankly, for what they would charge, with a merit award (I think you'll get some at the schools I listed), it might cost the same as UCONN OOS (maybe less, who knows).</p>
<p>Just cross posted with icy and I agree with icy's post too.</p>
<p>You might look into the U of Indiana's business school.</p>
<p>WV students only get benefits for WV schools, sadly.</p>
<p>When it comes to money, my family is okay. We are stable, and on the rich side in my town (not that that is saying much). I can't say an exact number, but my mom is a writer (kind of) and my dad is a retired Navy cheif who currently works for Abbott, working on hospital equipment. It is less than 6 digits, I know.</p>
<p>My fear isn't that I will struggle or get lost at WVU; exactly the opposite, I figure I will be a top student. However, is that going to be enough to get into a great school like Boston U?</p>
<p>Have you checked some on-line financial aid calculators to see how much aid you might get from schools that meet full need?</p>
<p>If you do so, you might find that it's worthwhile to apply to schools that meet full need. With good recommendations and essay, you could get into some of those schools. Actually being from West Virginia, from a small town and high school, will help you in admissions. Depending on where you apply, will add diversity geographically and in the sort of community you're from. Again, depending on your family's income and assets, the cost may be quite affordable and certainly below attending a private school that does not meet full need.</p>
<p>For instance, your ACTs are in the middle 50% of students admitted to Colgate, Bucknell and Colby and all meet full family need. Plus all have strong econ programs and I believe send a fair number of students to Wall St. You could very well graduate from one of those schools and end up paying less and/or having less debt than if you went to WVU.</p>
<p>That's really great advice! Could you point me in the direction of a good on-line calculator? I'll google it but maybe you know of a good one personally.</p>
<p>EDIT: Haha, you answered my question before I asked it.</p>
<p>Is that number I get my parent's addition per year or what I need per year? Per semester? Help please.</p>
<p>And Pitt is also a possibilty, though without looking up the price I would imagine its much like UConn, around 20K with little help because it all goes to Pennsylvania students.</p>
<p>Now, after looking into Bucknell, I didn't see anything about paying my full "need". Do you have a link to show this? It's not that I don't believe you, I just don't understand. </p>
<p>If you are considering any LACs, such as Colgate, Colby or Bucknell, make sure that you visit before committing if accepted. Colgate is very preppy and sports oriented with a beautiful campus and lots of NYC financial district connections. Bucknell is gorgeous, preppy, a little snobby and hard drinking liquor! Colby is preppy, lots of beer and very isolated and cold. Your stats are at the lower end for Colgate---but coming from West Virginia may help at all 3 schools.</p>
<p>I think that the WV angle could even act as a hook for you if you play your cards right, especially at some of the more elite LACs. Some ppl think WV is practically in Mississippi and might put you into their "rural" catagories, though everyone knows you must be a Steeler fan from Cameron (!). </p>
<p>My dear friend's D from Lost Creek, WV went to a very snobby NE LAC and did very well, but no one could figure out if she was western - plaid shirts with yokes - or southern (THAT music!), or what. Someone even asked her if her family did well coming from the same state as Walmart.</p>
<p>Unless you really can't afford anything else (and you won't know that till you see a fin aid package), I wouldn't waste the $24K for four years at WVU. They burn furniture there when the team wins. Far better off at Pitt or maybe Richmond.</p>
<p>Is WVU considered a "bad" or "average" school?</p>
<p>I'm scared that attending WVU will prevent me from getting into a better graduate school, even though I could attend there right out of high school. Seems a little silly to me.</p>
<p>"LAC"= liberal arts college. WVU is not that well regarded, but, as with most large state schools, will give you the opportunity to shine in a great number of areas. I don't believe that any flagship state university is bad; WVU is average with a greater than average number of opportunities.</p>
<p>Could you explain what kind of areas I can shine in, or what opportunities? Just in some detail, please? I'm a little lost as to what you mean...</p>