My plan in life is to get a bachelors degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering and then my masters in Business Administration from a top business school. As far as my undergrad goes, I have narrowed it down to University of Michigan and Oakland University. Oakland offered me a full-ride scholarship whereas I would have to pay full tuition at umich. What is the best decision to make for my undergraduate education in regards to the investment as well as long-term goals.
If you would have to take out huge loans for UMich, then Oakland.
If your parents can swing it without it being a huge burden, then UMich.
whatever you do, please, please, please do not risk going into severe debt. if your parents are able to pay for umichigan and you won’t have to take out any big loans, go. otherwise, oakland sounds like your better option.
For your eventual MBA, where you go to college for your undergrad really doesn’t matter at all. Your work experience after college, your GMAT score, your GPA, and your letters of recommendation will matter. Taking the full-ride at Oakland would mean that you can have interesting unpaid internships while you are in college, and will be able to take your time finding the right job after college. If you graduate from Michigan with loans you will need to grab the first decent job offer that comes your way.
Take the full ride. You can go the graduate school for the name school.
Are you in-state? Can you commute to UM? The CoA for CoE would be $28k-31k for in-state. Full pay would be $120k if graduate in 4 years.
CS degrees are employable. It’s not worth going out of state and paying extra money to get a bachelors degree. Unless your parents have the money to pay the extra tuition, you’re better off going to Univ of Oakland, especially if you live in CA. You don’t need that kind of crushing debt sabotaging your career.
I disagree somewhat with @happymomof1 My understanding is that the undergraduate college is one of the many factors considered in MBA admissions. An applicant’s GPA and college achievements will be viewed in the context of the college attended (much like college admissions officers view HS achievements in the context of the HS attended). That said, work experience, GMAT score, LORs, essays are all very important as well and an extremely well qualified candidate can get into a top b-school from many many different undergrad institutions. Admissions to top MBA programs is very competitive.
Base your undergrad decision on what is affordable for your family. I agree with the opinion that you should avoid massive debt.
If you go to Oakland see if it has an honors program you might be qualified for.
Undergrad may matter for an MBA.
But are these your only two choices? Did you apply elsewhere?
Are you in-state for MI?
@coolguy40 I think he means Oakland University in Michigan.
If you mean Oakland in Mich, then go for the free ride. Did you know that Oakland was started as an honors college for Michigan State Univ, then separated itself a while back and became its own university? it’s a good school. The college sits on the Dodge family land (as in Dodge automotive) and the family estate is next door. It’s now a museum (think Downton Abbey…). Best of luck!
I don’t see any evidence that Oakland was started as an honors college for MSU. It was originally begun as a branch or satellite campus for MSU - it used to be Michigan State University-Oakland - but neither Oakland’s own history nor any other source I can find says that it was an honors college.
That said, it doesn’t matter - it seems to be a good university, and you don’t want to go deep into debt for your undergrad degree.