That is a really interesting article, I’m really thankful for my options and that’s interesting to hear about UT since I was mostly under the impression it was more locked into certain regions in terms of recognition
UT is a beast. That’s why so many UT (and U Wisconsin) gripe about the rankings - and schools like Florida or some of the UCs (not named LA or Berkeley) rated so high.
On a national level, thaose two schools are far better known, etc. It doesn’t make them better but from a historical recignition level, Wisconsin and Texas are - right there with Michigan, UVA, the two UCs (maybe a very slight level lower).
Yeah it is odd lol but I think the big reason behind that is that those schools might be more well rounded. UT from what I’ve seen is just super well known for its business, engineering, and comp sci but I’m not sure about the rest where as schools like Florida and those UC’s might not have any stellar programs but are just solid all around.
Go to Michigan, It’s what you want to do. I think UT is a very good school and is recognized as such but Michigan still has more weight on the East Coast, many regard it as the best public school in the country.
But if one wants to stay finance - why would they go where they can’t. Yes, one doesn’t need a finance degree to do finance - and math is a wonderful degree. But it’s not finance. Or if you did econ - same thing.
@toughdecision1 - it has nothing to do with well rounded. It has to do with pedigree.
When I applied and was accepted to IU for my MBA, it was #7. I chose #40 ASU over IU and #15 or 17 Texas because - well ASU paid me to go!! And that’s my thing - value.
But historically - UT for sports or whatever - and Wisconsisn were the next tier of publics - and still are in certain rankings - just not US News. Florida is lower in other rankings.
@toughdecision1, I don’t think that the UCs have jumped them due to well roundedness and UT and Wisonsin are very well rounded. I think you can game a system - any system - and if you’re playng to US News schools have done this until they were caught (hello Columbia and Oklahoma). Frankly, for 95% of the population, I don’t think it matters if you graduate from UT or Tennessee or Delaware. Both Michigan and Texas are top tier public institutions getting the cream of the crop, especially OOS - and frankly are indistinguishable from one another in business.
Frankly - rankings mostly mean squat as you’ll learn when you get to the professional world. What you do on campus matters.
A big school is that - whether highly rated or not - bureacratic, large classes, things don’t always flow well. That happens at mid size and smaller too.
Today, I believe, the rank matters less because of the use of indeed and linkedin. I’ve seen that with my own kid who turned down a near elite program for one with no recognition - and looking at the outcome I don’t think it mattered. And I can guarantee you Michigan (or Texas) isn’t the be all and end all because I’ve worked with grads of both - and they’re analysts and specialists like most of the folks in the corporate rank and they move up (or don’t) based on merit in the job.
Oh - and you’re comparing apples to apples - because in business - UT and UM are - pretty interchangeable in reputation.
Good luck - but I would personally:
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Study want I want
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Then go where I want - and where I want - not my family wants
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If it were me, I’m all for the $$ save - but that’s a personal opinion/decision…
PS - if you don’t want to be in finance, then I can see doing the other majors - so if this statement is true at the bottom then it’s ok - but I’d still go UT and start a new legacy.
Unless there are other reasons you’d want Michigan beyond family pressure/legacy - i.e. you actually, truly want to be there.
I would have a lot more ability to explore different fields/jobs since I feel like I have a passion for more than just business.
I keep thinking you want to be in finance - but this sentence above now makes me think - maybe not.
Best of luck to you.
I have two questions: First, does McCombs admit you directly into your preferred concentration, finance? I ask because my nephew attended Penn State’s undergrad business program and they made clear that finance was extremely competitive, and only students that had a certain GPA got that concentration. Second, where do you want to be after graduation in terms of geographic location and industry? UofM is a big feeder into the auto industry - we live in SE MI and are Ford alumni - but I do not know how well it’s alumni do out of the state. In contrast, there is huge business growth in TX, and graduates from that state’s flagship school will likely have more opportunities.
Thank you for this detailed response I agree that a lot of them are indistinguishable and you can do well wherever I just feel I have the decision to make because I do truly love Michigan there is no familial pressure I just love the school. I also have spoken to quite a few people who are doing math or economics degrees at Michigan, even engineers who went into ib, and consulting it is a very common thing at Michigan which is why I’m considering this. Thank you for your help.
McCombs admits as an undeclared business, however, you can declare any of their 10 majors after your freshman year so no there’s no separate selection for the concentration. In terms of location and industry, I honestly don’t really know I like the Northwest probably the most and my dad talks about the same thing which is why he slightly leans towards UT because he really likes the potential Austin has.
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Today hiring is national - even at 2nd and 3rd tier schools - if the kid wants it.
But yes Texas is far greater than Michigan for future growth and even for ties tot he NW (as tech is moving from the West to Texas.
But Michigan grads will end up all over. And so will Wisconsin, Minnesota, Delaware, Arkansas and anyone else who wants to.
My kid’s first gig will be in Utah - from U of Alabama…and he had Massachusetts and some mid west cities where offers came - so i’m not sure where you go to school is necessarily a tie in to where you want to be or end up.
IMO, I think you should go to Michigan. There’s enough career workarounds that will allow you to be successful if you do well at the school.
We visited Michigan last year and thought it was great. My D will be applying to UMich/Ross next year and probably to UT as well. If she had to choose, I think she would personally pick Texas because it’s warmer and Austin is such a dynamic city. I also think she would have amazing local internship opportunities at her finger tips just because there are so many Fortune 500 companies in the area.
Texas is definitely business friendly and UT is at the heart of it as the flagship university.
Yeah that is very true, thanks
Yeah, that is one thing about UT that really does appeal to me which I should’ve listed as a big pro thanks for your help. Good luck to your daughter lol it’s a bloodbath out there.
UofM is a recognized feeder in many industries, including IB, consulting, and more. Their graduates end up everywhere.
But that’s the case at almost any school. The “think about where you want to be after graduation” criteria is nearly irrelevant. Many (most? ) companies do the first rounds of interviews virtually, so it doesn’t matter where the student is from if they see the right resume. Some schools are still more feeders for some companies than others, but hiring for internships and full-time positions happens nationally now.
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I think you should pick Michigan. It sounds like your heart is there and you can get to where you want to go going there even if you aren’t in Ross.
One way to make a decision is to pick one outcome and see how you feel about. So pick Michigan and let it sit. Do you feel like you made a mistake? Now pick Texas. How do you feel? I think you are going to realize Michigan is the right place for you based on what you’ve written.
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Yeah that’s rly true thanks
Thanks a lot, I’m gonna try that out
Tough, Are you sure? If you enter as undeclared and then declare after freshman year that sounds an awful lot like Penn State’s process. You might want to check if you need to have a certain GPA to be guaranteed your major.
Yes, I just research again to confirm there is no GPA requirement to be guaranteed your major.
Great.
@toughdecision1 Have you heard about UT New York? If you want exposure to opportunities outside of Texas, UTNY offers UT students the opportunity to spend a semester taking classes and interning in NYC.
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