UM Ross-Pre vs WashU Olin

College Search & Selection
1

Hi everybody,

Although I am waiting on 5 more schools: Northwestern, Cornell (Dyson), Carnegie Mellon, Tufts, and Harvard, I doubt I will choose to attend or get into them.

Additionally, I was rejected from UPenn (Wharton) ED and waitlisted from UVA.

I have been very fortunate to receive offers of admission from both WashU’s Olin School and Pre-Admit to Michigan’s Ross School. For me, I am having a very hard time deciding between the two schools.

From what I have read, it seems that Ross is more prestigious than Olin, and offers stronger alumni networks and job placement. However, I was informed by a finance executive that from their point of view the two schools were viewed as equal. I really do like Ross’s MERGE curriculum, I don’t know too much about Olin’s curriculum, or the differences in faculty and instruction between the two universities. However, I probably intend to major in finance.

I like to have some fun, but I am a pretty serious student. I also am more collaborative than I am competitive. I also know that Michigan is in Ann-Arbor and WashU is in St. Louis, I would assume Ann Arbor is probably better except for the weather.

I am concerned about Freshman year at Michigan. I have heard that it is hard to get into some freshman seminars and that housing can be quite a toss up. I was rejected from LSA Honors. On the other hand, WashU probably has some of the best dorms in the country, as well as less issues getting into classes. I am also concerned about large class sizes at Michigan, especially freshman year and ease of access to professors.

I don’t really care much about the size of the school, I think I would fit well at both. I am out of state for Michigan and receiving no financial aid at both schools.

Thank you very much for your help

2

Michigan dorms have recently gone through many renovations. You could opt for the residential college (East Quad) or the Michigan Research Community (Markley), but of which guarantee housing in nice dorms.

Class size, professor accessibility (or lack thereof) and difficult freshman class registration are vastly exaggerated. Freshmen at most universities will face some less than ideal conditions, but they aren’t a cause for concern at Michigan.

Since you have been preadmited to Ross, I would recommend you take that option serious. On the other hand, WUSTL Olin is also excellent, and if you think you would be happier there, then you cannot go wrong with them either. Go with your gut!

3

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-overall

Michigan is top 5.

4

I get confused because that depends highly on what rankings you look at: http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-04-04/the-complete-ranking-best-undergraduate-business-schools-2014

5

Any business ranking that doesn’'t have Wharton on top is suspect.