I am an international student and am struggling to select a university. I have been accepted to BC (CSOM), UVA, Northeastern (25k per year scholarship), Miami (full-tuition scholarship). I would like to study Economics and possibly double major in finance. I’d like to know what you think is the bet choice (from an academic standpoint).
BC Carroll School and UVA.
U of Miami (FL) or Miami U of Ohio (OH)? Not sure how one turns down a full-tuition scholarship.
From an academic standpoint, Virginia, then Boston College Carroll School of Management.
Northeastern offers internship work experience.
University of Miami with a full tuition scholarship is attractive.
Congratulations on your acceptances! Can you/your family afford all of the schools that haven’t given you scholarships? Where (geographically, type of business/job) would you like to ultimately work?
Here is a calculator that can help you evaluate the financial aid offers. http://www.finaid.org/calculators/awardletter.phtml Some of the factors don’t apply to you because they are kinds of aid that are only available to US applicants, but the rest of them will. Use your own best estimate for travel expenses. Some international students return home only once a year, but you might travel more often. If you don’t go home for every break, include your own best estimates for costs of staying in the US during that vacation period.
UVA and BC are top tens in Forbes and Poets and quants. Number 2 and 9. In usnwr finance both top 10. Overall both top 15. So you are talking elite and best of the best. UVA and BC are different experiences but top of the heap.
Can you afford to be full pay at BC and UVA? If not forget about them.
Yes, my parents are able to pay the full price for UVA and BC. I was accepted to The University of Miami in Florida. My one concern with UVA (academically) is that you are not given direct entrance into the business school and have to apply later on (potential risk of not getting in), and would receive only 2 years of a business education.
How big is the difference in academic level between BC and UVA, is it significant enough to be a major factor?
Imo no. I think there’s also a lot to be said for studying in Boston, but that’s a personal thing. Have you been able to visit any of the schools?
You are international. Choose the college or university that is best respected in your own country. You will need to return after finishing your studies and any OPT time.
Both BC and UVA have what are considered elite undergrad business schools. UMiami is excellent too. And has other advantages.
I agree that avoiding another layer of application to your major, and being able to distribute your business studies over all four years (vs. two years of prereqs and GE’s followed by two concentrated years of business) is a significant factor to consider.
My personal opinion between BC and UVA in this situation, given that the non-resident costs at UVA are no bargain, would be to go with BC. It has a comparable reputation, direct admission to your major with the ability to delve into your areas of interest earlier, and the Boston location which offers fabulous local opportunities as well as ease of exploring the rest of the eastern seaboard (hop a train to Providence and on to NYC, etc).
However, full-pay at BC vs. room-and-board-only at U of Miami… that’s a tough call. Miami is a great school too, and that’s a lot of money! You could do the entire two-year full-time MBA program at BC, after graduating from Miami, and still come out ahead. (Well, not if you count the opportunity-cost of not working those two years, but still, you see my point.) If money is truly no object, then perhaps BC is the better choice, but if your resources are finite, then consider what you would most like to do (in the summers or in the two years immediately after undergrad) and what that almost-200K in unspent money could buy you, and figure that into the decision. Miami might well come out ahead.