<p>IB...not sure why you are amused with the thread...I inferred from your post that you think I should already know the answer to my question, although perhaps that is not what you are implying?</p>
<p>I am familiar with Penn State because I went to college there (that's where I didn't have much help getting a job) and Michigan because I went there for grad school (and of course, in the Michigan MBA program, there are tons of recruiters coming to campus with the very best in job placement...I literally had my pick and even today, that Michigan MBA helps me get the best jobs), but I really don't have a good sense for how other public colleges rank in employers' eyes. (Heck, I didn't even realize that BU was private!) And...since I graduated from college over 20 years ago, I'm not even sure the impressions I had back then would be valid today. So, understanding where these other colleges stand is very helpful!</p>
<p>You know, even though my son says he wants business, he may change his mind...so I suppose perhaps I shouldn't have focused my comments on business specifically. Also, if he is that interested in business, he will probably need an MBA and most good programs want you to work for a couple of years first...so job placement after college is really important.</p>
<p>I'd love for my son to go to Michigan but am not sure he will make it in. So it would really help to understand what "the next best thing" would be.</p>
<p>I think anyone that has read any of my posts knows I am a big supporter of rankings, but you gave the undergraduate business rankings. The way the question was phrased, the OP wanted the overall comparison of the universities and not that of the business programs. I don't know why people are spinning off into arguments over the business programs, as that was only half of what the OP listed as important factors.</p>
<p>1)University of Michigan
2)College of William and Mary
3)Penn State University Park
4)University of Maryland
5)University of Connecticut
6)Indiana University</p>
<p>P.S. I came out of Schreyer (although it was called the "University Scholars Program" at the time) but it really didn't make much difference getting a job. Perhaps it helped me get into business school though.</p>
<p>ReadyToRoll -- I would be surprised if the Schreyers/University Scholars Program did not play a significant role in your acceptance into Michigan's MBA program ... Oh, I know what you're thinking... If they accepted me, how good could it be? But really, I think you diminish the standout qualities of a research university's undergraduate honors program.</p>
<p>My impression... impression only... is that Schreyer or Texas Plan A would be ranked Top 25 if not part of a larger, less capable average student body --- some other Honors undergrad programs at schools barely breaking the Top 100 like Arizona St. and Maryland would also be in the top 40-50 rankings. Berkeley does not have Honors, but UCLA, ranked #25 currently, does. I think it's safe to say that given UCLA and Berkeley's currently almost identical student quality, the UCLA Honors subset of students would be ranked on par with Duke/Northwestern, else certainly Top 15.</p>
<p>Could anyone comment on the Univ. of Georgia Honors Program( one of the oldest in the country)? It represents about the top 10% of student body (which has become increasingly higher ranked - avg 3.8 entire freshman class). We're comparing it (free tuition in state) to potential partial scholarships @ Furman, Vandy, Ga Tech, & UVA(prob. no $). He'll probably get at least masters and can achieve that in 4 yrs @ UGA (AP credit policy). Thanks for any insight.</p>
<p>
[quote]
IB...not sure why you are amused with the thread...I inferred from your post that you think I should already know the answer to my question, although perhaps that is not what you are implying?
[/quote]
No, I was more amused by the bickering, particularly since presumably you have more experience with some of these than any of us (albeit outdated). It's nit-picking, since it's fairly clear where each lines up, although you could do some slight switches.</p>
<p>Michigan / William & Mary
Penn State
Indiana
Maryland
U Conn</p>
<p>rtr,
I was not aware that you are a Michigan resident. If your son can get in there, that would be a tough choice to overcome given the financial advantages there. If you are doubtful that he can get into U Michigan as an in-stater, however, I doubt very much that he could get into W&M as an OOS applicant. If you check the numbers you will see that admission to W&M is very difficult for an OOS student. </p>
<p>Post-graduate placement-wise, don't underestimate the power of geography and how this affects prestige and hiring patterns. Glad to hear that you went to PSU. I believe its Schreyers Honors program is among the very best of its kind around the country and the students there are on par with the non-HYP Ivies and their placement opportunities are very, very good. I think that dunninLA's comments on Honors Colleges are spot on. </p>
<p>pumpkin5,
U Georgia is trying and the school is certainly improved over the past decade as the HOPE scholarships have definitely enticed more top students to "stay home." </p>
<p>Vs the universities you mention, probably the key issues to consider are post-graduate opportunities and size of school. I would guess that U Georgia Honors would be a stronger name than Furman, but for Ga Tech, U Virginia and Vanderbilt, it would depend on what he is studying. If engineering is his calling, GT will be strongest. If it's traditional liberal arts, then Vanderbilt would be the strongest calling card, especially if you stayed in the Southeast. U Virginia would likewise be very strong in the Southeast and would be the premier choice in the Mid-Atlantic state. But, if the plan is to be in Atlanta or somewhere else in Georgia post-graduation, it's hard to think that any of these other choices would be cheaper or more advantageous than U Georgia Honors. </p>
<p>On school size, you probably know the numbers and likely have visited the campus. If so, then you know how much the differences mean to you and your son and the nature of the undergraduate experience he will have, inside and outside of the classroom.</p>
<p>Sorry, I misunderstood some earlier posts. I would agree that U Michigan OOS is a harder admit than IS. As for U Michigan OOS vs W&M OOS, there is not enough data to compare and make a declarative statement, but I think that W&M is still modestly more difficult to get into. </p>
<p>U Michigan and W&M are pretty different schools and offer different undergraduate experiences. Can you shed any light on why you choose these two? As an outside observer, U Michigan and U Virginia would make more sense. Also, do you have any idea where he might want to live/work after college?</p>
<p>Is U Conn now on the list? I think it should be, even if only as a backup.</p>
<p>It's an odd position to be in, isn't it, to have attained academic success and then realize that our own children are often not equally academically inclined... whether by interest, commitment, raw processing power, emotional strength... whatever somehow enabled us to achieve.. that it is often, I dare say usually, not transferable! --- even when <em>both</em> parents are Ivy/equivalent.</p>
<p>aside from the fact that your student will not like staying in-state, there's little to gain by going to the schools you list if you have a full ride at UGA honors</p>