Three Great Choices!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey everyone, I've managed to narrow down my college list to the following:</p>

<p>UC Berkeley- Great international prestige, but a competitive environment and a long way from home (NJ). Haas is a great program, though I don't know how well it places for east coast based financial firms</p>

<p>UMich- I got a 10k scholarship, but I feel like the quality of students at michigan is inconsistent. I'm also not sure exactly how I feel about the heavy frat culture at Mich. The business school is amazing though. </p>

<p>Tufts- My sister goes here, I like the campus and the size. I'm not sure how good it is for business, and I'm not sure if its worth the 60k price tag. </p>

<p>GENERAL:</p>

<p>I want to go into Investment Banking or Private Equity (Yeah I know like every other ccer out there).</p>

<p>Money isn't too big of an issue, but obviously cheaper is better and I'd like to go to the school with the best cost to benefit ratio.</p>

<p>I want to go to a school that is challenging, but not overly cut throat. </p>

<p>I also want to go to a school that has a good nightlife/party scene and that also has attractive girls at (hahaha).</p>

<p>So yeah, I'm really not sure what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Here is what investment banking recruiting is like at Berkeley:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/1321246-economics-investment-banking.html#post14204944[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/1321246-economics-investment-banking.html#post14204944&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>However, it does not look like your list includes the usual investment banking hot spots for recruiting.</p>

<p>If money is a factor, what is the net price for you at each school? What other choices do you have?</p>

3

<p>Umich only had 20% in Greek life - so certainly not the dominating social life (however many enjoy and worth exploring). Yes, Ross is great and so is the placement office. I believe UCB will be in the same (very top) class. Tufts a step behind in recruiting / intern opportunities</p>

4

<p>Haas isn’t a guarantee.<br>
Are you already admitted to Ross?</p>

5

<p>Tufts doesn’t have business, you would have to study economics.</p>

6

<p>I would go with UC-Berkeley.</p>

7

<p>I am waiting on Ross Preadmit for UMich right now, so that isn’t guaranteed for sure. But in the context of this discussion, just assume Umich ross and UC Berkeley Haas. </p>

<p>UCBAlumunus, how hard is it to get a 3.7 while at Haas? Also prices are: 45k for mich, 55k for berkeley, and 55k for tufts. My other options are rutgers, vilanova, and UCLA.</p>

<p>Is tufts really a step behind?</p>

<p>And in regards to UCB vs UMich, is it easier to get into Ross than it is to get into Haas? And which school tends to produce more bankers/land kids banking internships?</p>

<p>Thanks for all the advice everyone!</p>

8

<p>Average GPAs at Berkeley are probably in the 3.3 range (3.27 in 2006, according to [National</a> Trends in Grade Inflation, American Colleges and Universities](<a href=“http://www.gradeinflation.com%5DNational”>http://www.gradeinflation.com) ), though lower division GPAs are likely lower (upper division GPAs are likely higher). Haas is selective admission to the major, so typical lower division GPAs are likely higher than the average. However, Haas upper division courses target a mean of 3.2:</p>

<p>[Grading</a> Policy and FAQ’s, Undergraduate Program, Berkeley-Haas](<a href=“http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/Undergrad/grading_policy.html]Grading”>http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/Undergrad/grading_policy.html)</p>

<p>So a 3.7 GPA likely means being near the top of the class.</p>

9

<p>From my perspective, given your goals, this is a choice between Berkeley and Michigan. Ross is a competitive major and realistically you need a 3.5 in freshman required classes to feel comfortable with your chances of admittance.</p>

<p>Without a pre-admit, both will have some risk. Both will do well in the banking/investment industries. While both have some national pull, however geographically Michigan will do better in the midwest and east while Berkeley will do better in the west. Where do you want to work after graduation?</p>

10

<p>Hey vinceh, I’d prefer to work in New York or Chicago, not too big of a fan of the west coast (but that could easily change haha). </p>

<p>So the general feeling I’m getting is that Tufts is out of the question? Thats disappointing since I love Tuft’s campus and culture. Does it matter at all that Jamie Dimon was a tufts alum?</p>

11

<p>bump 10char</p>

12

<p>Going by your post, I strongly recommend UMich. It’s the cheapest, has a great party scene (so I’ve heard), and Ross has a great reputation. I would also think it would give you the best chance for IB over the others. This is only my opinion so don’t take it too seriously. Good luck to you!</p>

13

<p>I would definitely go with Berkeley or Michigan. Both are great schools. I would choose between them based on cost and fit. From what you described, Michigan seems like it is the least expensive option and probably the best fit. Ross has more connections to east-coast firms, too (esp. NYC). Have you visited both yet/do you plan on visiting both? You really can’t go wrong with either IMO.</p>

14

<p>Hi Collegiate Dreams, I actually visited michigan last weekend and I will be going to visit berkeley this weekend! </p>

<p>I did not get preadmission to ross, and I was wondering how hard you think it is to get in as a freshman? Same thing with UC Berkeley Haas? The one advantage I see tufts having is that if I change my mind, I will still end up with a great quality degree in whatever other field I end up studying</p>

15

<p>About 50% of Berkeley students who apply to Haas get accepted. </p>

<p>Berkeley economics is a great backup.</p>

16

<p>I’ve heard that there is a stigma around economics at berkeley that it is essentially a Haas reject major? Do you think this is true?</p>

<p>Do you know if Haas is recruited from by west coast banking firms like goldman sachs, jp morgan, etc?</p>

17

<p>^ Yes, Haas is recruited by almost every top banking firm. As is Ross.</p>

<p>Ross and Haas will offer you essentially equal opportunities in banking. Ross will give you more opportunities in the east while Haas in the west. Ross and Haas are both difficult to get in, with average GPAs in the 3.6-3.7 range and acceptance rates of about 40%. </p>

<p>In terms of social scene and other factors, it sounds like you’d prefer Mich. I’m a bit biased as a future Wolverine, but you’ll have to look into their campuses and other aspects to determine your favorite. Berkeley’s weather is also far nicer.</p>

<p>Tufts isn’t recruited nearly as much as Mich and Berkeley.</p>

<p>If you get pre-admitted into Ross, don’t hesitate.</p>

18

<p>I wasn’t pre admitted so that does change things up a bit. I’m not 100% certain that I want to do Ibanking, so I was wondering which of these three would give me the most flexibility in degrees?</p>

<p>Also, not sure if it’s relevant but I also got into UCLA, Vilanova, and Rutgers. I was waitlisted at NYU Stern, Emory, and UVA. Do you think any of these waitlists are worth pursuing?</p>

19

<p>It sounds like you like UCB the best- just making sure when asking, but can you afford it?</p>

20

<p>I’m a Cal grad, with a kid who’s a sophomore at Tufts. And when I read a quote like this:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>that’s telling me where you’d really like to be. Worth your while to go over to the Tufts CC forum and ask there about recent recruitment and placement of grads. </p>

<p>One thing to consider on cost to benefit ratios: COA is pretty close for all three, less that nice merit scholarship for UMich. When you are an OOS student at Cal or UMich, you are in essence paying private school prices for a state flagship. Cal and UMich are of course wonderful schools, but they are BIG places where it’s tougher to have one-on-one relationships with professors. Maybe worth it for you for Haas or Ross. </p>

<p>As you say, three great choices, so you’ll win no matter which way you decide. Best of luck!</p>