University of Michigan vs. Boston College (CSOM)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Rejected from my top choice (Georgetown), and waitlisted at my second choice (Stern). I applied preferred admission to Ross but I’ll likely get rejected. UMich and BC were two of the other schools among my top 5, however I’m having a difficult time deciding between them.</p>

<p>A little about myself: Liberal Asian-American male born/raised in Connecticut, aspiring to major in finance and go into corporate finance after graduation. Buddhist faith, although not apparent at all. High income bracket (college finances/FA is NOT a concern). Attend a private boarding school (largely Caucasian, ~70% +). Huge pro/college basketball and football fan (although this is FAR from being a primary factor). Generally sociable guy but not huge on the party/greek life/frat scene</p>

<p>Now comparing the schools for personal pro’s and con’s:
Please keep in mind that I am out of state for both, so cost of attendance is essentially the same (50-55K).</p>

<p>University of Michigan (LSA for now):</p>

<p>Personal Pros:
-Ann-Arbor > Chestnut Hill
-Not religiously affiliated
-More diversity (international students, people of color) than BC simply based on sheer size
-Greater sense of ideological/social/political variety
-Recognized as the best school in the state, one of the best public schools in the country/world, and can hold a candle to the other elite Midwestern schools
-Really cannot beat Wolverine football. Basketball program is also solid.</p>

<p>Cons:
-Assuming I don't get into Ross pre-admit, I will have to apply to Ross after freshman year. It’s a competitive process (only ~30% admitted) and there is no guarantee that I’ll be accepted. Being rejected and having to study Econ+Poli Sci in LSA precludes me from exclusive business courses and Ross Career Services. This is probably the biggest factor that may prevent me from attending.
-Much further away from home than BC
-VERY big school, afraid of being lost in the masses
-Mostly in-state kids? Fear of not being able to assimilate
-Completely new/unfamiliar environment</p>

<p>Boston College (CSOM):</p>

<p>Personal Pros:
-Admitted into Carroll, which I’ve heard is a very solid and well-recognized program with a great reputation in the Northeast (esp. Boston and New York where I want to find work eventually).
→Direct admission into the b-school means I won’t be missing out on opportunities that I wouldn’t enjoy if I were in CAS. So this choice seems much more professionally secure than the LSA --> Ross gamble.
-Close to home, about a 2-hour drive
-Relatively familiar environment, so I know what to expect
-Solid football/basketball programs
-While Ann-Arbor > Chestnut Hill, I’d say Boston definitely beats out Detroit by a long shot
-My parents much rather prefer me going here due to geographical proximity and prospective job-security</p>

<p>Cons:
-Not too pumped about the whole Catholic affiliation
-Student body seems relatively homogenous, has a reputation of being a school for “preppy, wealthy, uniform, Catholic white kids from New England”
-Outshined by Harvard and MIT
-Wolverines > Eagles for football and basketball
-While Carroll is excellent, but should I get into Ross, the latter would be the superior program for my intended concentration</p>

<p>What do you guys think is the more suitable choice? I'll try to get off the wait-list for Stern, but I'll probably have to make a deposit to one of these two schools before I find out from NYU.</p>

2

<p>60% of Michigan undergrads are residents of Michigan. Although that is a high percentage, there are plenty of OOS students, particularly from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region.</p>

<p>Your pros and cons are pretty accurate otherwise. It is a tough call. Are you a risk taker or are you risk averse? Michigan would be a high-risk, high-reward option.</p>

3

<p>I would have to say that I’m more risk averse. The notion of not only being rejected by Ross as an incoming sophomore, but also having sacrificed a perfectly stable and secure prospect of graduating from Carroll with a finance degree haunts me. I believe you were the one who told me about the relatively unimpressive LSA career center, which I presume is out-shined by the more active and attentive career advising at CSOM.</p>

<p>OTOH, Michigan is just simply an awesome all-around school which suits my non-professional life much more than BC. Were it not for my insecurity towards Ross, I would choose Michigan in a heart beat.</p>

4

<p>Bump. I know deposit deadline is far away but I’d like some advice.</p>

5

<p>Think of it this way: If you are not good enough to make it to Ross after your freshman year, perhaps you are not cut out for the kind of career you have in mind?</p>

6

<p>@GoBlue81</p>

<p>Perhaps. Although at this given moment I do want to study undergraduate business. I’d rather have the opportunity first, explore it a little, and then determine whether or not I’m “cut out for it”.</p>

7

<p>I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. Most of the students I know who wanted to be in Ross got in … with only one exception. You just have to be focus and take care of your GPA in the first year.</p>

8

<p>Oh, sorry if I came off as aggressive, I didn’t take offense. A little tired right now and kind of bummed out from college rejection week.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice, I’ll look into it some more.</p>

9

<p>This is the story of my life right now… and my dad is pushing for UMich (due to the higher rankings) and my mom for BC (due to the closeness… I live in NJ). Wharton was my number one choice, I got rejected. Stern was my number two choice, I was wait listed. Do you know how likely it is to get off the wait list?</p>

10

<p>Go to UMich for sure! Ross is amazing. The way I see it, you have worked hard all the way through high school and you got into Michigan. Why would you give up now and not go to UM?</p>

<p>One thing I noticed that you didn’t consider is just general atmosphere. Don’t just consider which state the kids come from but the region also. UMich is very midwestern - of the 40% not from michigan I would guess at least half of those are from Illinois and Indiana. BC is very northeastern. If it were me I would try to get a new culture, but you might want to stay in the same type of environment you’re used to.</p>

11

<p>all depends on where you would like to go</p>

12

<p>Michigan! That’s where I chose over Georgetown.</p>

13

<p>Michigan has a national profile and good combination of academics and athletics.</p>