<p>I am transfering from a community college in Massachusetts where I live. I was accepted to UConn but I am still waiting to hear back from UMass Amherst; and I have to give UConn a decision by the 18th. Assuming, and hoping, I get into UMass I could really use some help about which would be a better decision. I am going to be a sophomore and I am going to study finance. I am wondering which business school is better (I know UConn has a better rep but how important is that difference and more importantly which will be more beneficial in finding a job after school?, etc.). Right now costs are playing a major factor since it would be about 20K cheaper a year going to Umass. Also a factor I was accepted to UConn but not their business school. I heard you don't start any business classes until junior year at UConn but I would still need to apply and get accepted to the business school. I am also wondering how the housing and social life/frats/pledging are for transfer students at these schools. Any help is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>If costs are a major factor, and it would be $20k less a year to go to UMass, I would recommend doing that.</p>
<p>UConn = UMass. Same education, same type of student body. UConn has bigger time sports and probably a nicer campus. UMass is in a much better area (Amherst and the 5 colleges). If UMass costs you $20,000 less per year, I think it’s not even a close call, go there.</p>
<p>I would disagree with your equating UConn to UMass so simply. While I do believe that UConn has a much stronger business program than UMass, if cost is a major factor for the OP, then it is what it is.</p>
<p>ThePhilosopher- if you don’t mind my asking, are you a UConn student or representative? I’ve noticed your posts and you seem to know quite a bit about everything :)</p>
<p>Philosopher–Not sure how you define “much stronger business program.” I would expect that the undergraduate business curriculum at the two schools is almost identical, i.e., same classes, similar syllabus in most of those classes, similar or same textbooks, similar or same case studies, etc. There is no reason to think that UConn knows something that UMass does not that would give UConn some advantage in curriculum. I also would expect that the quality of the undergraduate education is almost identical, i.e., similar or same class sizes, similar or same number of classes taught by full time faculty, similar or same quality of students one is in class with, etc. I also would expect that in terms of graduate admissions and job placement, there is little or no difference between the two schools. I am involved in hiring at an approx. 100 employee business, and we would not distinguish an alum of UConn from an alum of UMass in any way. So, when I say UConn=UMass, I mean that there would be little or no difference in the undergraduate education received. It may be that there are differences, e.g., UConn faculty may publish more which pumps up its national ranking, and UConn has certainly done a very good job marketing itself in the last say 10 to 15 years. But I don’t think these things have any impact on undergraduate education. All of this from a UConn alum. Admittedly one who feels that UConn made a decision some years ago to spend a lot of money on things (buildings, sports, research) which undoubtedly increase its ranking, but do not increase the quality of education recived by the vast majority of its students.</p>
<p>For your industry, there may be no or little distinction between UMass and UConn. For particular industries there certainly are distinctions, not necessarily due to the classes themselves, but the other associated and complimentary opportunities. The same can be said for any school. Taken as a whole, and certainly in terms of value, the UConn business program is better than UMass.</p>
<p>I am sure that each school has “associated and complimentary opportunities” (whatever those are) that the other does not, but I have no idea how you would be able to make a judgment as to which school has the better “associated and complimentary opportunities.” As to the assertion that “[t]aken as a whole, and certainly in terms of value, the UConn business program is better than UMass,” in terms of undergraduate education, I have no idea what your factual basis for that statement could be outside of US News type rankings, which are highly suspect and based on things that have little or no impact on the education that students receive, such as publication and reputation. I am as sure as I can be without having done a detailed study of both programs that, for example, the undergradute accounting education and job oppostunities at the two schools are virtually identical.</p>
<p>Like I said, in a specific industry, they may have near identical opportunities. The same cannot be said for other industries. To be blunt, I give my overall opinion on this issue because I have knowledge of both programs. </p>
<p>My recommendation to the OP is the same: if cost is a major issue or if you are planning to stay in MA after graduation, then choose UMass-Amherst.</p>