<p>I got into the Honors Program at UC Santa Barbara, and was offered a $9800 per year scholarship to go to Santa Clara University. I'm majoring in Economics, with the intent to go to Business School. Cost is only a small issue now that I have the scholarship. </p>
<p>Which college would be most prestigious in the eyes of business schools? Would the Honors Program add significantly to my prestige? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both choices?</p>
<p>Wow they are such different schools. UCSB is obviously a much larger school with more of a party school atmosphere. Santa Clara has the religious component, small school feel with students knowing their professors on a much more intimate basis. I would be considering carefully which is a better fit for you and not which would be most prestigious in the eyes of business schools. You have to be happy at whichever school you choose for the next four years. Worry about business school admits down the road.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, but will business schools look upon the two any differently? And does the honors program make a big difference?</p>
<p>Santa Clara is ranked #2 in Masters Universities in the west. It's a fun place w/ a good party scene but also a commitment to service and the small personal attention of an LAC. Jesuit schools like SCU are well respected for rigor plus you have access to far better internship opportunities in the Silicon Valley than in the SB area.</p>
<p>I know I am generalizing here but when you say UCSB many people think "party" first "STD" second and "oh yeah some solid academics" third.</p>
<p>When you say SCU more people think "reputation, rigor and basketball"</p>
<p>what ebeeee said. Speaking in a vacuum, Santa Clara is not in the top 150 in terms of academic reputation, and UCSB is in the top 50. But that is not the important issue for you.</p>
<p>What is more relevant is where you are likely to fit best... where will you feel more motivated to excel? Motivation is critical. If a smaller school with more personal attention fits you better, go for it! If a larger school with a more impersonal, competitive atmosphere kicks you into gear, well, that's more likely to be your better fit.</p>
<p>correction to the above... I've re-looked at Santa Clara's admissions % and test scores. They are pretty similar to Rutgers, so I'd place it in the top 100.</p>
<p>As to how would business schools perceive your degree from there vs. UCSB Honors, I'd give a big plus to UCSB because of the Honors component.</p>
<p>
[quote]
hanks for the advice, but will business schools look upon the two any differently? And does the honors program make a big difference?
[/quote]
For MBA programs, the rep of your college is a more indirect effect. Nobody goes to a good MBA program right out of undergrad; they want to see several years of relevant work experience. However the rep of your undergrad college may affect your ability to find a good job right out of college. </p>
<p>Bottom line, even if some MBA program has an opinion on the merits of UCSB vs SCU, they are going to care much more about what you did in the 3-5 years after undergrad before you applied.</p>
<p>As for whether honors makes a difference, you need to check into it more but here's a few things to look at. At many schools honors programs gets you early registration; that is a huge thing at a large school because it means you'll always get the classes you want when you want. You should also find if there are any employers that recruit for honors students, especially for internships. One key to landing a great job out of college (and that becomes more important the less prestigious the college) is having internships. An enthusiastic rec from a manager where you spent a summer is great to have, and internships look great on a resume.</p>
<p>Thanks again. I kinda have my heart set on Santa Barbara, but I just don't want to make a drastic, future-altering mistake. I've heard that a lot of good Silicon Valley employers recruit from Santa Clara, and that there's a "connections" aspect to it. I don't want to shortchange myself, even though I loved Santa Barbara's campus when I visited it, and would be really excited about going there.</p>
<p>UC Santa Barbara has a stronger national reputation – heck, being from the northeast, I know of UCSB, but, in contrast, I had no idea what Santa Clara was (I thought it was some sort of California State University school).</p>
<p>bump ...</p>
<p>Santa Clara would allow you to visit your family more often, especially your dear Mother who would look forward to your company periodically.</p>
<p>You have to go with fit. Either will be fine trying to get into business school.</p>