I’m comparing Notre Dame Mendoza with UMich Ross right now, as I am struggling to decide where to go to college. I am very set on business, but in both programs around half of your classes are liberal arts classes.
Notre Dame is better than Michigan in terms of overall school, but Ross’ business program is considered more prestigious.
All other things aside (money, location, fun, etc), which would you guys consider more important? I can see myself being very happy at both schools
I disagree with your premise that Ross is “more prestigious” than Mendoza. They are pretty much the same IMO. Some rankings have Mendoza higher (ex. Business Week), others have Ross higher (ex. USNWR), but in both schools are found in the top tier. Everything else being equal and assuming you have a pre-admit at both schools I would just pick the school/environment you prefer.
Well I certainly don’t agree that ND is in anyway the better overall school. Michigan is top ten ranked in Econ, Psych, music/theatre, all engineering disilpines, business (#1 in Mgmt), math, English, kines, physics, etc, etc.
ND is strong in many disilpines as well, no doubt, but not superior. @mwei16, what area(s) of study are you interested in and out of business? Have you visited both?
I’m sure @Alexandre would be happy to chime in as well.
Michigan is quite a bit stronger at the grad and PhD levels overall, but at the undergrad level they are academic peers probably. I think you should base this decision on academic fit, cost, and environment/culture/social vibe.
Are you a wolverine or a fighting Irish?
Hi, thanks for all the input. My business interest would be in consulting/management and hope to get into venture capital. And sorry if I offended anyone, I agree they are both very similar and great schools.
Well I will grant you this is only one ranking but one key area Ross is known for is its top ranked Management Program.
Venture capital is helped by contacts and both schools have among the very best alumni networks.
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-management
Do you have a pre-admit to both Ross and Mendoza? If you don’t have a pre-admit to both b-schools, then that is a big factor IMO. The pre-admit system is new to ND but I do know a number of people who went to UM and then could not get into Ross (they then had to take a non-business major or transfer into a school where they could get into the business program).
Both are excellent programs, but they are very different. Mendoza is significantly larger, enrolling over 2,000 undergraduate students, with graduating classes of close to 660 students (compared to 1,300 Ross undergrads with graduating classes of 500). In terms of fit, you will find the Notre Dame student body a little more conservative and devoutly Catholic. Do you have a preference?
When it comes to BBA recruitment, Management happens to be Ross’ speciality (along with Finance). Last year, 11 Ross graduates joined BCG (their CEO is a Michigan alum, although he studied Engineering at Michigan…I believe), 7 joined McKinsey, 4 joined Bain and 3 joined Strategy& (Booz). Many others went into consulting, but having 25 hired into the four main consulting houses is pretty impressive.
If there are no financial concerns either way, and assuming you would be happy at both universities, I would probably lean toward Ross, but that is just me. That being said, if you have a preference for Mendoza, do not hesitate to go there. Notre Dame is a formidable university, and Mendoza is an excellent business school.
Yep, this was phrased the wrong way.
Both the b-school and overall schools are comparable prestige-wise, but the 2 will offer very different experiences so if money isn’t a concern and neither is admission to the b-school, go with fit.
I do have pre-admit to both, and I am not Catholic (thought I have spent some time at a private Catholic high school, and I felt fine fitting in). Ultimately I think I will be leaning towards Ross because of their strong engineering program since I want to do a minor or major in comp sci too. Thanks for all the help!