Ross Umich McDonough Georgetown or Uva McIntire?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

Hi!

I am an international student, wondering which school to choose. I would really appreciate your comments since college forums are literally the only thing I can rely on (besides rankings) for help. Unfortunately, I do not have the chance to visit any of the schools.

Anyway, I want to study business, BBA would be best, but it’s not offered at all the schools I listed. If not BBA, then management/ leadership/marketing/operations management optionally. I have gotten into UVA, Georgetown, and UMich (don’t know about the ross pre-admit yet). The pros and cons I have listed for all the schools:

UMich
Pros
-Ross seems absolutely PERFECT when it comes to academics (great BBA, lots of research opportunities, great facilities, emphasis on leadership etc)
-a good social scene?

  • great school spirit
  • typical American college experience

Cons
-WEATHER

  • the state school atmosphere that I do not know how I will find myself in (it’s just that I am not excited about tailgating, because I don’t even exactly know what that is, or I’m not familiar with greek life although I’m not super sure I would not rush). the same city may feel suffocating?
  • if I do not get the admitted to Ross, would totally not make sense.

Georgetown
Pros

  • a high international student ratio and a kind of “european” urban area feel (which I am used to)
  • lots of internship opportunities
  • the most prestigious school?
  • seems like a good student life/ academics balance
  • well linked to Europe in terms of airports etc.
  • already got into the business school (no stress)

Cons

  • might be a little overwhelming, and too preppy?
    -don’t know if the social life is good without greek life?
  • not sure that McDonough is good with non-finance/banking majors (marketing?)
  • the most expensive option

UVA
Pros

  • absolutely love the weather!
  • the school seems like a great place to be in terms of the social life
  • seems not so stressful?
  • typical American college experience haha
  • the cheapest option

Cons

  • would have to apply to mcintire after two years (what do I do up until then?)
  • it’s kind of in a rural area and I’m a little bit afraid of feeling too isolated from what I am used to (bigger cities, a lot of people, rich nightlife)
  • low international students ratio, may feel out of place?
    -the same city may feel suffocating?
  • literally SO FAR away from any airport that does international flights to my country

I also got into Emory (with 15k scholarship for going to Oxford college, but I feel Emory’s b-school is not as good) and NYU Stern, but I know that I won’t be happy in NYC (lack of community, and the city overwhelms me a little). I am waitlisted from UPENN Wharton, but still have to commit to another school by May (+it is highly unlikely to get off the waitlist).

I am a very social person, and as I am an international student, the sense of community and belonging is very important for me (3000 miles away from home!).

Any comment would be greatly appreciated, I truly do not know what to do!

2

How much would each one cost? Include room/board and other costs of living, as well as the University tuition/fees, etc.

3

Also keep in mind that Georgetown is an urban campus, unlike UVa which has the typical college town feel. I’m not familiar with Michigan’s campus location, but the winters will be much harsher than than in DC or Charlottesville. Ditto on FCCDAD’s comment on cost…likely wide discrepancies between the three.

4

Well, as far as Georgetown and UMich, the cost is pretty much the same. UVa is $5000 a year cheaper, but while of course, it would be nice to pay the smallest amount, the cost is not much of an issue. Rather the academic/social experience.

5

Georgetown sounds like it has the most of what you want.

6

thank you @fccdad I am leaning more and more towards Georgetown :slight_smile:

7

Depends on what you want to do:

Finance: UMich
Accounting: UMich
Marketing: UVA
Management: UVA
Operations: UVA

But honestly I would not spend too much time focusing on school spirit, location etc… because the main goal should be to find a good job and worry about what you will be doing for the next 40-50 year of your life.

8

^^^^^ Disagree…college can be the best four years of your life and should be savored. I would not suggest picking a school based solely on your intended career choice. Location, culture, atmosphere, etc. are all very important as well. You have excellent schools to choose from…good luck with your decision.

9

I’m not sure how G-town works, but go to the where you know you are in the business program. Why sweat it out at UVA hoping you get a 3.7 and then become an econ major instead.

10

You asked a question of “what do I do until then” - before you could become a business major.

Answer - you take the required pre-requisites, such as 2 semesters of accounting, 2 semesters of econ, stats, etc.

Also, you use the first 2 years to get the required general education requirements out of the way - foreign language, english, math, etc. I believe that is the case at most colleges - you get your general ed classes out of the way, which also makes you eligible to take the upper level classes. For example, at some colleges, calculus is a prereq for some other classes.

11

College is about what career you wish to pursue…among other things. You need to be able to major in the field you wish to major in. If you can’t, then what’s the point?