<p>Hello. I'm stuck between choosing JMU or Towson. I want to major in Finance (Business)(Accepted to both), but can't decide between the two. I have a 1710 SAT and 3.83 Weighted, 3.56 Unweighted, top 25% of class. I visited both campuses and enjoyed the feel of both. I love the urban environment for Towson due to its closeness to Baltimore, but love the outdoors at JMU. Through rankings and such JMU is clearly better, but Towson doesn't seem to publish many or they just don't make them? Towsons tuition is great since I live in MD, and JMU doesn't offer much for aid. I'm waiting to hear from JMU's honors, but due to my stats its unlikely I will be accepted. I also feel Towson's proximity to Baltimore and it's association with T. Rowe Price will offer me better jobs and internships for finance compared to JMU who is 2.5 hours away from me and is more known for accounting and Deloitte associations. Any advice? I care about academics, but I only took one AP in high school mostly all honors though.. I like to be challenged, but not to the point of being lost in studies. Any advice or more things I need to post for you to help me?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Anyone have advice? I know i’m not Ivy Quality/Interesting with a 2400 SAT like everyone else on this forum, but help would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>Unless your family can easily cover the cost of JMU, I’d vote for staying in-state. Why don’t you pick up the phone and call the career center at Towson and ask them about job placement and internships in the Baltimore area?</p>
<p>Internships are required at Towson for a class taken during senior year, so that will help. I can’t find their job placement %, but at the presentation the Finance professor said all of her students received job offers. Also, at their presentation they listed many employers as did JMU. JMU just seemed to have more statistics readily available. Businesssweek said they have 71% of students with internships regarding JMU. JMU just seems to be a more targeted and prestigious school for Finance. Towson has a median starting salary of 42k wil JMU’s is 55k. If JMU’s job placement is 73%, I can’t imagine what Towson’s is…</p>
<p>Source:<a href=“http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/2012-03-20/best-undergraduate-business-schools-2012#slide33[/url]”>http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/2012-03-20/best-undergraduate-business-schools-2012#slide33</a></p>
<p>To my mind, the placement statistics don’t matter as much as your own personal drive, and willingness to hit the pavement. In other words, if you are in the Career Center the day you reach campus, and start finding out about internships/jobs/volunteer positions that relate to your career goals, chances are that you will find them even if no one else at your university does. </p>
<p>As for the difference in median starting salaries, you have to adjust that for career fields. Is that just for business majors? Is it for everyone? If it is just business majors, how many of them are in finance? </p>
<p>The people who do the college tours and orientation sessions can’t always have all the information that each of the prospective students need. It really is perfectly OK to contact the departments that you are interested in and the career centers and ask for more details. They will be able to help you find out the answers for your questions.</p>
<p>It’s just for business. JMU was 55k for all business and Towson was 42k for Finance specifically.</p>
<p>It’s a tough decision. I don’t know what schools is more ‘recgonized’. I think JMU. Is there a big difference I will see in job prospectives between the two? Which school is more academically recognized?</p>
<p>I believe JMU is more recognized esp for business and other academics. It is a great college experience. I am from MD and attended JMU (many years ago). My friends who graduated in Finance or Accounting all are doing very well. Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>I am wondering what your ultimate decision was? Where are you enrolled in school, and how do you like it? JMU and Towson Honors are among the schools/programs my daughter is considering. Thanks!</p>