<p>UMASS Honors College, Isenberg School of Management</p>
<p>OR</p>
<p>College of the Holy Cross, 3-2 program in engineering (Columbia University) </p>
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<p>Any suggestions, insight or advice is much appreciated!</p>
<p>Holy Cross carries much more prestige and has a stronger alumni network and gorgeous campus. However the price tag is twice as much so this is the major hurdle which makes many choose UMass as they are unwilling to pay the HC price tag. HC meets 100% need based aid.</p>
<p>100% of need as Holy Cross sees it, which can differ from what you think you can afford.</p>
<p>This it true of all schools who say they meet all need, not picking on Holy Cross.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies! </p>
<p>In terms of education, which do you see as having the upper hand? I know they are a bit difficult to compare because of their extreme differences, but any ideas or opinions are appreciated.</p>
<p>You will have smaller classes at HC and it has a reputation for being a lot of work. That said, overall I would guess they would be comparable academically.</p>
<p>Any preference between business or engineering? The one thing I’ve heard about 3/2 programs is that it’s very hard to leave campus and all your friends after 3 years just as they are heading into Senior year. My son is a freshman in Engineering at UMass and really likes it. His roommate is at Isenberg and also likes it. As a parent (and Ivy League grad back in the Dark Ages when Ivys were still relatively affordable), I have been very impressed with UMass, the programs they offer, my son’s experience, their communication with parents (even Parent Orientation!), and, oh yes, the food (parents eat free!). Holy Cross is an excellent school, but you really need to look at the net cost and talk with your parents about what they are willing to pay.</p>
<p>If you are interested at all in engineering, then go to a school that has it! Otherwise you will get no exposure to it find out if it is a good path for you. That’s what I don’t like about any of those 3-2 programs! We looked at them when my son was applying to college. I suspect the colleges that offer them do so knowing that most people will end up sticking around and completing a non-engineering degree rather than transfer for the engineering component.
Lots of engineering students combine it with business studies. So go somewhere that has both of your interests I say.</p>
<p>Hi, I am a parent of a high school junior and I, too, graduated from a prestigious private school in Vermont in the dark ages, back when it was more affordable and possible to go to this school. I am wondering if my daughter might be a good fit for UMass Amherst (we live in Massachusetts). I have heard of a few young folks who have left UMass part way they through, saying they felt lonely in the big campus environment. </p>
<p>Obviously your kids don’t feel this way? It seems like the quality of the education is quite good at Umass.</p>
<p>Thanx!</p>
<p>S would have preferred to attend a smaller school, but as things worked out he is doing engineering at UMass and likes it a lot. Spends most of his time in the northeast quadrant of the campus, having a couple of high school friends around helps out until you make new friends. RAP’s are good to bring people together of like interests.</p>