<p>Since these are the two schools I'm probably thinking about going to for undergrad since I have a really good shot at both, will it really make a difference for consulting which one I go to? I think I might like USC better for a few reasons:</p>
<p>a. football
b. football
c. football</p>
<p>just kidding:</p>
<p>a. location: I've spent my whole life on the west coast, and LOVE cali
b. Cost: I'm more likely to get some help from USC than Michigan, and there is less travel cost anyways
c. I might know at least a few going to USC, while at Mich I'll have no one
d. Weather
e. Football :) but mich is nothing to sneer at either, and the addition of OJ Mayo will probably lead to a soon to be elite bball program.</p>
<p>So since I like USC better, will it make that much difference for consulting placement if I go to Mich or USC? I know Mich is WAY higher ranked, but my version of way higher is 3 ranks, so it might be petty to others. Thus, would I be "screwed" so to speak if I go to USC and turn down Ross?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Consulting placement is so tought that it depends more on you than the school. They test you in all sorts of ways you can't study for.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Not true. Michigan has better placement and overall recruitment for M/B/B than USC. A few Marshall students get into firms like Bain but overall Michigan has a better edge in getting you an interview assuming your stats and achievements are up to par.</p>
<p>As for not being able to study for consulting interviews? Another false statement. You can practice for case interviews by reading books like "Case In Point" by Marc Cosentino, practicing with friends, your school's consulting club, career services (at a target school), etc. Once you understand the frameworks and practice a few cases, they tend to get easier once you learn how to identify the issues, filter through relevant data, and learn to use that data to make a recommendation.</p>
<p>hey thanks nextmikesays. I was wondering though just HOW MUCH difference there is. Is it a drastic difference that makes it such that I would be stupid to pass it up or what? Like I said, I like 'SC better, but would I be dumb to pass up Michigan since it is probably higher ranked overall?</p>
<p>Btw, since I'd probably want to do IT consulting (not necessarily management), then might it be better to go to USC since there are more regional tech companies in southern cal than in detroit?</p>
<p>Consulting placement is very regional. USC probably places into the SF offices. I know for sure that Michigan students go into the Chicago offices for Bain and BCG. There's a strong presence there. I don't know about USC.</p>
<p>well like I said, I'd like to stay on the west side, so would 'SC be a better choice then? The midwest would be nice, but isn't especially intriguing to me, so is 'SC the way to go then?</p>
<p>I was not thinking about case studies as everyone does some of those in business schools. I was thinking of this which Bain says they "tend" not to use. I have heard otherwise at some firms.</p>
<p>"For this reason, our interviewers prepare their interviews based on real cases and tend not to rely on brainteasers or theoretical problems." Bain website.</p>
<p>the (most likely) false assumption is that you can choose between USC or Michigan and then compete for some general spot at mckinsey etc. and that michigan will "boost" your chances for that general spot. </p>
<p>the more realistic scenario is that you go to USC and compete with other Marshall students plus those from stanford, berkeley, and ucla for the LA/SF offices... or you go to michigan and compete with other Ross students plus UChicago, northwestern, etc. for the chicago office (or if you want to take on the ivy league, for the NYC office). </p>
<p>so basically, you're only screwed if you can't compete in whichever scenario you choose.</p>
<p>They usually ask you what your top 3 location choices are, but the recruiters only come from one office, so you're most likely going to the one they're specifically recruiting from (i.e. the closest office).</p>
<p>so you have a choice between ross and 'SC? lucky you. you are set either way.</p>
<p>the general rule of thumb when deciding between two top biz programs: location, location, location. i cannot emphasize location enough. </p>
<p>now, with that being said....if you plan on settling on the west, youre in pretty good shape either way. while SC has major pull on the west, ross is a "brand name" program, a degree thats good just about anywhere. as far as the differences between the schools, theres not much. i knew this girl who transfered from umich to SC, she told me the schools were pretty similar: lots of school pride, strong greek community, both were social and fun. ann arbor is a good college town, while downtown LA is....well, its downtown LA</p>
<p>one thing about ross is that i dont think you get accepted as freshman, you need to take pre reqs before being accepted into the program your soph or junior yr. its VERY competitive, avg gpa to for acceptance was like 3.5. i know this was true a couple yrs ago, but im not so sure now. this was the only thing that kept me from applying.</p>
<p>just curious, why arent you expanding your options to ucla or cal's haas? at this level, you should probably consider more than two biz programs. </p>
<p>and if this doesnt help...just keep in mind the last two Rosebowl games where umich faced off with 'SC. fight on.</p>