Opposite Schools: Northwestern, Vanderbilt, or UT Business Honors Program?

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
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<p>I truly have no idea.</p>

<p>Let me explain my situation, I am a history/international studies guy who probably wants to go into Business. I've heard law is awful, and sadly I'm too ambitious for teaching. I live in Texas and have been itching to leave, but on the same token, UT BHP is instate tuition. I received 23k Financial Aid for both Vanderbilt and Northwestern without a re-evaluation yet. However, I probably won't get nearly as much Fin Aid next year as my sister graduates this coming year. Though, my parents have told me not to factor in cost into my decision, but for some reason I can't get it out of my mind. (185k compared to 80k) </p>

<p>Beyond all that, here is a over simplified version of my reasoning thus far:</p>

<p>For some reason, I think Northwestern is the least selective of the aforementioned schools (vandy and BHP), and I'm not sure if the school is on the decline or rise. </p>

<p>I'm not quite sure how much better Northwestern/Vandy's history department is than UT's. Northwestern only takes 2 AP credits. UT would take all 11 of my AP Credits. So I could probably triple major fairly easily (it's all relative) in four years. Also, It kind of irks me that all my hard work has gone to waste.</p>

<p>If I studied History at Northwestern/Vandy, I would most definitely double major in something else. Probably economics or international studies, so I'm not useless in the business world. I think this would be just as difficult if not more difficult than triple majoring at UT BHP. UT BHP wants its students to succeed and coddles them. I believe 60% get B's and 40% get A's. (It may even be the other way around) I would enjoy the special attention.</p>

<p>I really want to get out of Texas. UT is over 90% instate or something ridiculous. </p>

<p>Does anyone outside of Texas know what UT BHP is? Will it actually help me to have an undergraduate degree from the BHP? Do graduate schools know what it is? Or would it be more beneficial for me to graduate from Vandy or Northwestern with history and econ double major?</p>

<p>Last, I'm a huge believer that you create your own happiness. So, I'm pretty certain I'll be happy wherever I go. So the question is, which school will provide me the best tools for the future?</p>

<p>Right now, I'm just not sure which good option to take. Any thoughts, answers to my questions, and input would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>EDIT: I meant to post this under College Search, but input from users on this topic is welcome as well :)</p>

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<p>I’m also a prospective freshman, but I am in the process of choosing and I’m really leaning towards UT over Duke and here’s my reasoning:</p>

<p>-I feel that in this type of economy, any leg up is good and with BHP, I feel you’re getting a leg up. UT is not just some no-name state school, so it’s not like companies will necessarily throw their nose at UT over other top-tier schools, especially when you factor in BHP. You’re getting in there with experience and professionalism.</p>

<p>-I don’t know if you’re going any other honors programs at UT, but I’m likely doing Plan II and that liberal arts factor will just be a nice complement to BHP, offering me the liberal arts aspects that I love of Duke and that companies love to have too. I’m not just going to be some droid business machine. I’ll have a whole new look on history, literature, etc. </p>

<p>-I was thinking Northwestern Econ and History also, but besides NU not being a total fit, I don’t feel that recruitment is necessarily as intense as it is at UT or Duke, Stanford and the Ivies, but I kinda sorta just generalized that fact.</p>

<p>-Another thing was double-edged sword of being in-state. I was excited that some of my really, close friends that I am absolutely actually care to hang around with are going to UT and I could still keep close contact with them. Yet, Duke offered me a chance to really branch out and meet people from across the nation. In the end, I realized that no UT may not be as diverse state-wise, but personality-wise and so on UT is so diverse. And while I can still be friends with my current ones, there’s 50,000 other people left to meet and I’m hoping to!</p>

<p>-Lastly, I liked the culture of UT a bit better. Yes, BHP is intense (my sister is friends with some people and she says that can get pretty cutthroat), but Duke felt even more heightened of a level of intensity. I felt people, while enjoying the social life at Duke, were just going from Point College to Point High-Powered Job. They may have liked this class and they study, but the laid-back feel of UT felt so much more comfortable. NU, I think, is more wide-spread and less intense than Duke, but I just felt UT surpasses it in awesomeness of culture.</p>

<p>That’s my reasoning! Hope you a swift decision. I know it’s hard!!</p>

<p>P.S. finances weren’t really a factor. I got kick-ass fin aid from both schools!</p>

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<p>I don’t know much about these programs beowolf, but after reading your post I have to say that you come off as a smart guy. Your writing is concise and you seem very level-headed. I understand that itch you have to finally leave Texas but you should know that Austin (I’m sure you’ve been) is not really like any other place in Texas. </p>

<p>If, like you said, you do want to end up in business, then UT Austin BHP seems like the strongest contender to me.
[Top</a> Undergraduate Business Programs 2010 - BusinessWeek](<a href=“http://bwnt.businessweek.com/bschools/undergraduate/10rankings/]Top”>http://bwnt.businessweek.com/bschools/undergraduate/10rankings/)
UT is #10 on that list and I’m not sure where Vanderbilt and Northwestern are (and there’s honestly no way I could ignore the difference in cost). So even though they may carry a bigger name for the average person, I’m sure that those who actually work in business are well aware of what caliber program McCombs offers.</p>

<p>Again, I’m sure you’re a smart guy and you’ll do great wherever you go but I hope you don’t discount The University of Texas at Austin as just any other state school.</p>

<p>Hook 'em!</p>

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<p>@ Wakeup
Oh man that’s a tough one too. My sister actually goes to Duke, hence my sizable financial aid at NU and Vandy. :stuck_out_tongue: </p>

<p>Unfortunately, I was really wrapped up in all my other applications (namely Oxford) at the time Plan II and BHP apps were due and didn’t even consider applying to Plan II. I should probably do some research and find out if it’s possible to transfer in at some point freshman year.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you too! I’m kind of leaning in the same direction you are. I really think BHP is just too good of an opportunity to pass up. Especially if I’ll be in the company of peers as talented as yourself. :)</p>

<p>@ frever
Vanderbilt and NU actually don’t offer undergraduate business programs, so I would have to major in Economics as a substitute (though Kellogg does offer a certificate at NU). And you’re absolutely right about Austin, it is like no other place in Texas in a good way. Last, thanks for the insight and best regards. :)</p>

<p>And shameless bump.</p>

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<p>Hey! So I’m back to undecided between Duke and UT. I was wondering how’s your decision going?</p>

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<p>Oh man. I’m still undecided too. This decision is just the best, worst, and hardest thing ever. I think I’m going to have to have a T-Chart day tomorrow. Keep me posted WakeUp. I feel like we’re in this together.</p>