<p>Hi, I'm a high school senior from upsateish NY that had committed to Northeastern's Honors program and the D'Amore McKim School of Business there. A couple of days ago, I got a call from Williams College saying I was accepted from the waitlist. Essentially, I have 48 hours to decide from when Williams gives me its financial aid offer, which it hasn't yet. So I need to have an answer ready soon. I'm visiting both tomorrow, Williams for the first time.</p>
<p>I know Williams should be the no brainer, but I was looking forward to the Boston environment plus a large school, not the isolated, 2000 student Williams. That being said, I hope to get into a top MBA program after college and go into business. So do the benefits of Williams drastically outweigh the greater size and location of Northeastern. Also, Northeastern has a proper business school, Williams doesn't. I don't want to feel claustrophobic, and I like going out, partying, social life etc. I don't really know enough about Williams to choose yet, I kind of applied on a lark the day before the deadline.</p>
<p>Would I be passing up too good an opportunity later on in life by choosing Northeastern, or do you think that choosing Williams is not worth a location I don't like. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>The thing to understand about getting into a top MBA program is that you will need plenty of “real world” experience after graduating, or perhaps, during. Northeastern’s co-op program is useful in that respect. You cannot really go wrong because I’ve heard that being part of the honors program is equivalent to going to a top, rigorous LAC.</p>
<p>I recommend you choose a school based on 1) cost and/or 2) fit. Being in the middle of nowhere isn’t right for everyone and it is better to think about what you really want. Don’t be blinded by prestige.</p>
<p>I have 2 comments: 1) OP - why do you think Williams should be a ‘no brainer’ and 2) International - why do you think the Honors program is equivalent top, rigorous LAC.<br>
I have news for you both. Northeastern is equally as prestigious and rigorous as any LAC. </p>
<p>Here is the list of colleges who have sent students to HBS for the Class of 2015. You can get in to the top business schools from a wide array of undergrad institutions. It is up to you to work hard and take advantage of opportunities. Go based on where you think you will be the happiest (taking cost etc into account).</p>
<p>I disagree with most of the posts above. When applying to business schools, the perceived quality of the undergraduate institution is an important factor. All things being equal, getting into a top-tier MBA program from Williams will be much easier than from Northeastern.</p>
<p>The OP needs to weigh two factors and determine which is more important: fit vs. strength of undergrad in the MBA app. Its clear that in terms of fit, Northeastern has the advantage. Maybe that will lead to better performance in school in which case definitely choose Northeastern. But the people who say that a) HBS accepts kids from community college so it doesn’t matter where you go undergrad (sorry, clearly an exaggeration) or, b) work experience is more relevant so again it doesn’t matter where you go undergrad are just wrong. The OP should understand that he’s giving up a factor that could help sway an MBA admissions committee if he doesn’t choose Williams. </p>
<p>Go to Northeastern. While William’s is considered more prestigious, it is also a liberal arts college with not much of a specialization in business. On top of that, it also depends on your preference. Do you like a very small college in more of a rural area? If you’re majoring in business I do not suggest Williams, considering you would want to choose from numerous co-op/ internship opportunities. </p>
<p>We live near Williams and yes it is prestigious. But living in Boston would be a great experience.
Williams is in a small town with one main street. Coop at Northeastern will give you more experience. </p>
<p>You can’t compare Williams to NEU. Two totally different kinds of schools and different kinds of prestige. Northeastern is prestigious in its own right. Northeastern is a much more practical education than a liberal arts education with the focus on being employable upon graduation. While Williams is the #1 Liberal Arts school, it is that – a liberal arts school. If the goal is to go straight to grad school (MBA) upon graduation, then probably Williams- because more of the liberal arts grads go that route. However, you have to be pretty sure that is the path you want to follow. So many kids start out in one path and end up in a another. Also, depending on finances, is it worth almost $200K for a bachelors degree at Williams and then on top of that to pay for an MBA? Northeastern students graduate with pretty darn good salaries with a bachelors degree and an MBA can always be pursued while working (and hopefully with some tuition reimbursement). </p>
<p>I visited both today, I wasn’t that impressed with northeastern and it’s area. To be honest, Williams felt a bit better and honestly I think a top notch MBA is much easier achieved from Williams. I think I’ll go with Williams, northeastern didn’t really amaze me enough to turn down a much more prestigious school with better job placement. Just my opinion though, northeastern is an excellent school and I’m honored to have been accepted there. Still waiting on Williams financial aid to finalize though. </p>
<p>It is hard to compare two schools which are very different. I would think it comes down to whether you want to be in the city or in the country and then how much financial aid you will get. The honors program at northeastern offers a lot of perks, you should talk to some honors students. Also, don’t forget that Northeastern is already on summer break, so there are not as many students there as usual. My son chose Northeastern over university of Pennsylvania and has been very happy. He also had a guaranteed transfer to cornell, but he prefers Northeastern. He enjoys being in the city. I am not sure which part of the city you looked at but there are some really great areas around northeastern,</p>
<p>I hope you chose Williams. If your goal is to get rich or “richer”… and I am assuming it is given your interest in business, then Williams is far superior. Many companies recruit on Wall Street directly from Williams- no business degree required. The alumni network is hyper vigilant… hyper wealthy and dedicated to the brand in an extreme way. It is an elitist wall street centric school… and about one quarter of the people who graduate end up on the street. </p>
<p>I’m a huge proponent in believing that all universities hold equal weight. However, when it comes to reputation, williams wins out by a long shot. I know TomSrOfBoston will read my post and immediately disagree and claim that NEU is the harvard of the 21st century and therefore, you should choose NEU, but from an objective standpoint from someone who does not have a stake in either williams or NEU, I would choose williams.</p>
<p>But that doesn’t change the fact that these two schools are very different, esp in terms of location, and not everyone wants to spend four years of their lives in rural Williamstown. Sometimes the edge you get in banking and finance is just not worth it.</p>
<p>No, TomSrOfBoston would not say that. And by posting such a claim you are revealing you own prejudices. </p>
<p>No school is a good fit for everyone. I find it odd that a student’s decision would come down to two schools that are so different. The OP should have set his criteria long before now and eliminated one or the other type of school. </p>