<p>I am an international (from a very small country somewhere in Central Asia) student in the State University of New York, at Buffalo. I am a sophomore Economics major and hoping to get an MBA in a top school after some valuable work experience in a business related environment. When I came to this school I was absolutely ignorant about the University rankings in the United States, well aside from those of Ivy League, and at the outset I was very upset to find out that the school I was going to was not as well respected as I wished it was. Well, I started looking into school with a solid reputation and a tuition I could afford. There were couple of schools in my initial list, but I applied to only University of Texas, at Austin, and just recently to NYU. Fortunately, just last week I was accepted to my first choice school, CAS - Economics Department. I have still an application pending in NYU, but I will be able to go there only if I receive financial aid (I need about $15,000). What is my issue? Well, the issue is that I have been in SUNY, at Buffalo for 1.5 years. In this short period of time, I have managed to become a Media Coordinator Senior Assistant and presently training new student assistance to do the job, I myself had learned a year ago. I received, couple of awards, including National Dean's List, University Dean's List, National Honor Society even managed to get the Vice President's attention to receive a "Prize Employee" award for doing an excellent job as a Media Coordinator Assistant -- I had been working for only two weeks! I am very much comfortable here in Buffalo, but I still want to have a top-50 school's diploma. This is a dilemma I have been struggling with since I received my acceptance to UTA, I don't know what I am going to do if I gain admission to NYU as well. Perhaps, go nuts. So, please I am very open-minded; I will consider any suggestions. I would be gratified by any attention and thank your for your time.</p>
<p>Based on what you posted, it sounds to me like you are on track to get into a top MBA program. You are on a fast track at Buffalo and are in a position to get excellent recommendations to grad school. I also would bet that you will be in line for the top internships that companies offer to sutdents at your college.</p>
<p>It's important to realize that top MBA programs accept students from all sorts of universities. In fact, some top MBA programs (Harvard's comes to mind) prefer to accept students who have taken some time off after undergraduate.</p>
<p>Only you can decide if it's worth it to you to go to NYU or UT. I am betting that either will cost you more than would your undergraduate education at Buffalo. You also would be entering either place as a small fish in a large pond. Perhaps you have the social skills and charisma to become a star on a large campus despite transferring in. Some people are like that. If so, the transfer could be worth it.</p>
<p>What could happen, though, is that after the transfer, you end up being an ordinary student in an excellent university, and that despite doing your best to come to the attention of influential profs and companies offering plum internships, you are overshadowed by many other students.</p>
<p>Think hard about your options, and don't assume that the bigger name university will give you the best opportunities.</p>
<p>I very much appreciate your response. UT charges the same tuition SUNY does. Nonetheless, prior entering the University I was an exchange student in Florida, where I befriended many people, thus I have more connections down in the South one of the reasons I am attracted to UT. On the other hand, is that true that the education in the Northeastern part of the United States is more respected than in any other part of the United States, regardless of which school one goes to? </p>
<p>Any other input is also welcome.</p>
<p>P.S. I am sorry for my English, when I come to this board it seems to me that I lose the ability to convey my ideas clearly into my posts.</p>
<p>Your English is fine.
I cannot think of any part of Fla. that is similar to Austin, Texas. IMO the Southwest is very different than is the SE part of the US.</p>
<p>An advantage of being in Buffalo now is that you are learning about a completely different part of the US than is Fla. While schools in the NE, particularly New England get lots of respect across the US, I don't think that holds true for Buffalo. Buffalo's proximity to places like NYC, Boston, Philly would be a plus, if you take advantage of that proximity by traveling to and by possibly interning in such cities. </p>
<p>Based on how you describe yourself, sounds like you'd do fine on a huge campus such as UT's, so if that's where your heart is, go for it!</p>
<p>I agree on everything you said above, but I am a little confused now. Which university would offer me a better employment opportunity? And afterwards, going to a graduate school? I am confused, because UTexas is one of the best Universities in the area, which attracts many companies; whereas, SUNY, at Buffalo competes (hmm, well not exactly, but anyway.. :) ) against schools like NYU, Cornell. It's clear that, none of my awards or jobs could stand a chance against diplomas of graduates of these schools. So, wouldn't I be better off, going to a better school, even though I may not end up being as prominent student, as I am in Buffalo?</p>
<p>Northstarmom, thank you so much!!! </p>
<p>P.S. I was an intern in the World Bank (not in the US though) over the summer, if that helps to answer the question.</p>
<p>CEO: if you are looking to get into the business side of a biotech company, Buffalo is a fine place to do that - particularly if you are thinking of staying in that area. Up there, most businesses don't know much about UTexas except for its football team. And listen to Northstarmom's comments about opportunities.</p>
<p>dadofsam,</p>
<p>As much as I understand about the opportunities I am offered in my present school, I tend to think employers are biased with the "University brands," instead of hiring objectively. I often read posts on this board, where one states: "Those companies only hire from top-50 or Ivy league." To be perfectly honest with you, that bothers me a lot. Since, my goal is to become an Investment Banker in Wall Street (well, ultimately I will be there. the question is: what is the express way to get there?).</p>
<p>I have seen top students from third tier schools go to excellent grad schools and jobs. A far smaller proportion of students at such universities go on to those kind of opportunities than occurs at the very top universities. However, some do.</p>
<p>Going to a place like UT or NYU does not automatically guarantee one a great job or grad school. The better the school, the higher proportion of students goes on to top grad schools and companies, but there are no guarantees that one will land at such a place just because one attends a school like UT or NYU.</p>
<p>Since you're at Buffalo now, I suggest that you talk to the career placement and graduate placement offices to find out where students from Buffalo go after graduation. When you learn of students who landed in places that you're interested in, find out the students' names, and contact them to get advice. They probably will be very helpful.</p>
<p>The most important things to business schools are one, the job you have after undergrad and how well you do there, your GMAT score and that you have a strong GPA for whatever college you attended. The absolute most important thing is getting a great job post undergrad and doing your best there. You can make the arguement that it's easier to get a great job from certain colleges, but you really need to get a good understanding of what you can get as a top student from where you are now. You've already made an investment there and if you have the support of profs, you may be surprised what they can help you do. Even the very best at school's like Harvard compete for the investment banking jobs and end up competeing with kids with a lot of connections. Join in on the MBA board. Nobody else is there!</p>
<p>Thank you bobby. Now, I am absolutely sure why I should not transfer, however is there anybody who would I argue that I would be better off by transferring?</p>
<p>ceo1093, you are wrong about employers being obsessed with brand names. I think you are a solid candidate for a top MBA school. Bobby is right about what it takes to get into an MBA program. The first job is important.</p>
<p>And your English is just fine. Which country do you come from? I'm just curious..looks like you have done wonderfully for yourself. The World Bank experience will come in handy as an MBA candidate.</p>
<p>Your other work experience also sounds great.</p>
<p>Get your undergraduate degree where you are and go to a prestigous grad school.</p>
<p>Hey, BHG, long time no see! Good luck with your son.</p>
<p>Do not transfer. Stay where you are and continue making an impression.Your connections in Florida are unlikely to extend to Texas (unless they include Jeb Bush).I agree with all the posters that you can little advantage by transferring and do ,in fact, risk substantial negatives.You are set up quite well for grad school where you are, doing what you are doing.</p>
<p>Hi Achat!
Not too much into this site anymore.My mom (84)is real sick. I'm running over there all the time and helping out.This is a difficult situation. She is bed ridden and will not go to the doctor anymore.(just within the past 6 weeks.)<br>
And my daughter ran off to Las Vegas and got married too! It was a nice affair. (EXCEPT WE WEREN'T THERE!)The ceremony was in a park on a rock formation and she had the white dress, tux, limo, and tons of beautiful pictures all around the area.They honeymooned at the Grand Canyon. She has been dating the guy from college days and what clinched it was all the hurricanes!(time indoors?!!) They have a condo in one of those gated, walled, golf course communities and enough room in case she gets pregnant right away.(As a mother I worry about that.-She's a teacher too.)So how about that.
Isn't the Fall beautiful! Hope it's going well for your son . What was his major? How is he enjoying it there? Is he burdened with much work. ( yes I know he can handle it!) It really is a very fine school.Did you son go to the Kerry rally at Haverford?</p>
<p>Hope your mom feels better and your family is ok. Son is doing fine, no major yet. Did not attend Kerry rally but Howard Dean came to campus.</p>
<p>Sorry to others for hijacking this thread, back to regularly scheduled discussion (hadn't seen BHG recently posting).</p>
<p>Yes, I apologize, ceo. I like your handle!</p>
<p>The only positive for Texas is the weather. Upstate NY can be brutal, as I'm sure you saw last winter. I've always understood that it makes more sense that if you know you're going to grad school, to not bother with a name brand undergrad school. All of the SUNY schools have a pretty good reputation, especially in the North East.</p>
<p>Wow! I am more then ever encouraged to stay and even do a better job in this school. Thanks all for your participation, you have just prevented me from doing, perhaps, one of the worst mistakes I could have made. I am just so glad I asked this question here.</p>
<p>I am actually from 13 year-old country called Uzbekistan in the Central Asia. Education is absolutely degraded there. Students graduating with Economics degree are not even capable of defining what Economics is. When I first came to the United States I could barely write a paper, even in my own language, since throughout the secondary school I was never taught, nor did we write any papers. I was angry at the outset, but I ended up getting straight A's in both of my English classes here in Buffalo, for which I owe a lot to my English professor -- I think I wrote about 100-150 pages of essays (not necessarily on different topics) in my first semester here, in order to catch up with my other classmates.</p>
<p>ceo1093, you have done very well for yourself! Congratulations!</p>