<p>This battle back-and-forth in my head between the two schools is way too close. lol and the deadline for deciding is Saturday, May 1st... not a day I'm looking to put this decision off 'till. So, for a business major like myself from New Jersey, taking in all the various aspects of both colleges, which would be the better choice. Rutgers tuition would be whatever Rutgers tuition is for me and VT is giving me $5000 which would bring tuition/fees/housing to about $24-$25,000 for the first year which is certainly comparable to Rutgers'. </p>
<p>Thanks for any and all opinions. Feel free to ask questions/</p>
<p>I would choose VT. I just like the environment there more. And especially when tuition and prestige is roughly equal, if not leaning more towards VT, you should pick with where you are more comfortable, and for me that would be VT.</p>
<p>Full disclosure - My MBA is from Rutgers-Newark (part-time). They are 2 very different schools in terms of location. </p>
<p>Rutgers has just announced a new business school initiative in New Brunswick. I have some concerns on the state’s budget, but I think they will move forward with it. You can’t beat the proximity to New York City for internships and summer jobs, vs being in rural Virginia. </p>
<p>Rutgers does have a reputation of a party school, but all the kids I know that are there love it, even ones that ended up there because it was their safety school or pure financial reasons. </p>
<p>I paid it last night for VT and all matriculation deposit refund requests must be sent in by May 1, this Saturday… I’m starting to have second thoughts about VT being as that RU’s business school is definitely better, the people I meet there will pretty much all be within minutes or a couple of hours from my home, not up to 8 hours or however many… I’m starting to think I was interest in VT for all the wrong reasons. Such as the fact, going out-of-state seemed cooler, it has a better football team, better school colors, more school spirit, a nicer campus, a solid (not better than Rutgers’) business school, hotter girls I was hoping, etc. </p>
<p>I really don’t know anymore but all I have is a day to decide.</p>
<p>As for law school potentially in the future (I plan on double majoring in business & public policy - another major in which Rutgers admittedly excels at nationally), which would be the better go?</p>
<p>VT is in the middle of nowhere and has a higher percentage of males to females. RU is less rural, better school, not as good in football. I’d go with what was least expensive.</p>
<p>Ooch—the VA public universities import lots of students from NJ. From your original post, it sounds like cost was not much of a factor in your decision to send the deposit to VaTech? If so, then I think you shouldn’t be second guessing your reasons for sending the deposit into VaTech simply because you’re worried about rankings of the business school at VaTech. Go to VT without looking back with worry at your decision. Yes, Blacksburg is “rural” by central NJ standards, but it feels much bigger than it actually is because of the presence of VT. It’s a really nice college town in a gorgeous part of the state and VT is a great college for folks interested in large universities with lots going on on-campus.</p>
<p>Ooch, If the schools are comparable cost wise and you felt strongly enough about VT to make a decision to send in your deposit, then let it go. Don’t look back, look ahead!</p>
<p>The business school at Tech is a solid choice. Is Rutgers that much better or does it have a great regional reputation? I’ll be honest, I am not a business school person, but I when I think of the nation’s top business schools, I think of UVA, Penn, etc. Rutgers doesn’t jump right into my mind. No matter where you go, it is going to be up to you to make it great in the end. I feel that if you put in the time and effort you can get a great business education at VT. </p>
<p>And the other factors that you mentioned? Yes, they are important. You want to be happy- you won’t be in a classroom all day. Virginia Tech is a wonderful place to spend four years and offers what many consider the quintessential undergrad experience. I’d bet my next month’s paycheck that if you go there, come September you will be feeling that Hokie spirit and will be happy. (I’ll give you this, if you already think that Maroon and Orange are better colors than Rutgers’, you are already on your way :)) Good luck and don’t stress! It is normal to have second thoughts about two schools that were close choices for you.</p>