<p>Ross is the best rated school and the best choice for a job in banking/consulting, but if you feel you’d be happier at Tulane, I wouldn’t discount that at all. I would also put into the equation if you get into Ross directly. I know two people who went to UM assuming they’d get into Ross as a sophomore and didn’t have the grades - one transferred to another school where he could get into a b-school and the one stayed at UM and switched major.</p>
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<p>Actually, annasdad is proud to be dragged into it. It merely reinforces what he said.</p>
<p>I am a banker who graduated from Cornell (Arts & Sciences, not AEM). Your decision is vey simple. Ross is on a different planet from your other options. I have run into tons of Ross people through the years and it is a target school at every major bank and consulting firm. I can count on one hand the number of people from Tulane, USC or Indiana. You can talk about fit or whatever, but not when you are comparing schools on totally different levels. If you are comparing Columbia and Ross, then I can see why somebody may prefer Ross although Columbia is more prestigious. Assuming you did well at Ross, you would still be very much in the game to do whatever you wanted. However, if you go to Tulane/USC/Indiana, you would be taking yourself out of the game before you even start. I hate to sound so uncompromising, but this is really a no-brainer.</p>
<p>Thanks for the passionate responses everyone. It seems like Ross is the clear winner, but as happy1 said, Ross only admits sophomores. If I did’t get in as a sophomore, I’d have to transfer which would really suck. Ross looks for at least a 3.6 which is very possible for me, but everyone I know at UMich says a 3.6 at Michigan is the hardest 3.6 you’ll ever get.</p>
<p>NYC0205 - Is Marshall really as bad as you make it sound? It’s ranked highly and has wonderful resources and an extensive alumni network. My brother goes there and seems to be set after graduation. I figured it was at least on par with Ross.</p>
<p>Also, the Financial Times ranked Tulane’s Finance program among the world’s 10 Best. Total B.S.?</p>
<p>B-school rankings have a soft correlation, at best, to actual placement and career success. Its all about the school’s business recruiting network and placement. For example, some of the best placement comes from places you would never expect such as tiny Williams College. You have to dig deeper than rankings. You have to look at placement. Its why Dartmouth and Princeton excel, yet a top 5 ranked “business school” will lag. Its all about who is a target.</p>
<p>I think you can apply to Ross as a freshman but it is super-selective to get in and most people have to re-apply as a sophomore. So you can see what happens. But 1) I’d prefer to get in a b-school as a freshman AND 2) go where you think you will be happiest.</p>
<p>If it were me, I would rather go to Michigan and be a hermit as a freshman to get into Ross than take my chances with Marshall. Nobody is asking you to win the Nobel Prize. I am sure that you can get that 3.6. The quality in placement between Marshall and Ross is night and day. USC is great for LA…and only for LA…if that’s where you are set on living, then go there by all means. Just know the differences. </p>
<p>BTW, you will be happiest at a place where you know you are not wasting your time…and where you will feel that you have a chance to accomplish your goals. Girls, beer, and clubs exist everywhere.</p>