NU vs AU vs SUNY BU vs UMDCP

<p>My son's "final four" that he's considering are</p>

<p>Northeastern (Honors) accepted into Business
American (Honors) - not a problem to be accepted into Business
University of Maryland College Park - (Honors) accepted into Business
SUNY Binghamton- didn't apply to Business, accepted into Harpur (and now we realize its probably too late- kicking ourselves for not doing more research - it was a late addition)</p>

<p>NU & AU are ranking very closely for business. AU is the cheapest because he got a nice merit scholarship from them - no loans necessary. Northeastern also gave him merit money, but it would still mean taking out loans, unless he oculd make enough money in his coops to pay for the extra</p>

<p>UMDCP- Ironicallly, this one and NU will cost about the same. He has three credits from aUMDCP summer program that Northeastern won't accept, Business school is ranked a little under NU & AU.</p>

<p>SUNY Binghamton is fine financially (maybe a small loan but doable) but I hear there is little or no chance he can transfer into the business school at this date. However, they have a couple of 5 year Masters programs in Harpur (econometrics, financial engineering) that could also be good.</p>

<p>He will probably be a finance major but might choose management (or financial engineering at SUNY). I'd appreciate thoughts</p>

<p>If you have to take out more than 5K per year to go to Maryland, I would go to American.</p>

<p>I would opt with Northeastern. They have the best internship program in the country. The students can interview with almost any financial company in the nation domestically and internationally and they will end up with an impressive resume after college along with a solid education. If not Northeastern then Maryland is also a fantastic choice.</p>

<p>We just got back from 2 days at American. I am really impressed with the Kogod school for business. They jumped into the rankings at 28 after years of not being ranked. </p>

<p>I am also impressed with their commitment to growth in this tough economy - the trustees just approved an expansion plan. </p>

<p>And I am impressed with how friendly everyone is. We were sitting in the B-school building as a place to hang out and the dean stopped by to say hello. My son talked to him for a little bit, said he was deciding between NU & AU - the Dean said, you are choosing between good schools. He walked away and then came back a few minutes later and said, have you seen downstairs? We said no, so he took us on a tour and told us how he selected the system for the new trading floor simulator that they just bought. Its from Thomson- the same system as the COO of Goldman Sachs (a Kogod alum) uses.</p>

<p>They are hiring a new professor in Sept who will teach a class about the trading floor.
And they are ranking higher for finance.</p>

<p>I also like the smaller class sizes (although my son says he wants a class he can veg out in, I don’t want him to have one like that.)</p>

<p>He’s almost ready to commit to AU.</p>

<p>Tough one. I think there is a significant difference between having an established B-School and establishing one. New facilities are nice but landing jobs is what it’s about. </p>

<p>I’m biased Northeastern but have to admit that UMaryland has an impressive program. Getting into UMaryland’s B-School after the fact IS not easy.</p>

<p>He has decided to go for the money at American. Thanks for the comments.</p>

<p>Sounds like a good choice. He will get much more personal attention in the honors program at AU than at Maryland. Good luck!</p>