Hi everyone! I’ve been accepted to both M&T and the Jefferson Scholarship programme at UVa (as well as Oxford in the UK). I was hoping to hear where I might be the best fit!
I’m hoping for somewhere with outgoing peers, and a strong social scene, as well as one where I can take a range of classes from engineering to history, politics and business. I also do quite a bit of entrepreneurship (with my startup), so would equally like to know if Wharton is the right sort of community for that.
What are the pros and cons of each school, and would Penn M&T be worth it over the Jefferson Scholarship?
Thanks!
Pros/Cons at this point depend a lot on you.
You say you are entrepreneurial and business-oriented: start with a cost analysis. UVa is a free UG education. Wharton is ~$350,000. So, where does that money come from? If the Bank of Mom & Dad will cover it, would they gift you that amount when you graduate if you take the Jefferson? If the family resources are so deep that this is pocket money then move on to the next piece:
Specific benefits: what are the top 3-5 things that are specific to each school that you see as the best things about that school.Neither will magically get you anywhere, both will offer you more opportunities than you will be able to take advantage of, and both have as much in the way of prestige & contacts as you need. Doesn’t matter whether any of us think that X prof or Y class is ah-mazing or dreadful if something that is interesting to you. So, which one has more specific things that ring your bell?
Finally, take a look at the campus cultures: which one fits you better? You will be living there, day after day, year after year. Both are good enough options that you might as well be someplace you like.
as a ps, you are likely to find it hard to take engineering classes no matter which one you pick unless you do a dual degree, which you would have to apply for. The ability to dabble in courses across disciplines will be highest at UVa and lowest at Oxford.
Pros UVA - free at UVA
Pros UVA - great education
Pros UVA - ACC sports - if that’s your thing
CON UVA - you can’t say you’re Ivy - and let’s be honest, that’s what you care about.
Pros at Penn - great education (same as UVA)
Con Penn - you’ll cost your family several hundreds of thousands of dollars, just to say you are Ivy.
Frankly - not a hard decision at all.
It comes down to two things if you are my kid:
- Is my last name Bezos, Buffett, Gates or Musk? If not,
- Am I selfish?
That’s it.
Good luck.
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What are you looking to get out of the college experience? Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years? If you had the where-with-all to get into these places, you should already know they are quite different. I have no knowledge of Oxford, but my son had UVA and Wharton to decide among. He chose Wharton but that was the best fit for him.
M&T is an intense dual degree program between Wharton and Engineering. It’s pretty structured to be able to complete in 4 years. Only 50-60 students are in the program each class year - it’s harder to get into than Harvard. M&T students are highly recruited. Wharton could provide a lot if you’re running a startup.
At UVA, you’ll have a pretty open path for your education. UVA’s business school is excellent, also, but not direct admit. Jefferson scholars get to live on the Lawn, which is a cool piece of our nation’s history (but there’s no plumbing in those rooms). Of course, a free ride is quite a plus.
Only you and your parents can decide what’s worth it for you monetarily. It all depends on where you and your family are financially.