<p>I applied EA to Michigan and got accepted and recently got an acceptance from the University of Southern California. The thing is, I'm having an extremely difficult time deciding between the two. I know Michigan has one of the BEST undergraduate business schools in the nation, but the weather is a bit of a downer. USC also has an amazing business school but not as nationally recognized as Ross (in my opinion), but it's in LA and the weather is amazing in California. Wharton has been a childhood dream of mine, and with my high school GPA I didn't think it would be possible for me to get in, so I decided not to apply this year. So I guess my main question is: which school would be better to try to transfer into Wharton after freshman year, USC or Michigan?</p>
<p>I would choose USC if I were you. Although not as good as Ross, Marshall has a pretty good business program that provides lots of opportunities. I think the 4-Year program is a big plus for USC (as an insurance for yourself), as you may go to Michigan and not get into Ross’ 2-Year program since it’s highly competitive. There really is no point in going to Michigan if you just want to transfer out, since you won’t even get the experience of the business program.</p>
<p>I would not count on making Wharton, especially since it is very difficult as a transfer no matter how badly you want to go. Choose the school you like the best and think you can do well at.</p>
<p>5009,
There are various factors to consider in this decision. Have you visited both campuses? Does the student life at one university appeal to you more than another? Which option will provide you with support and future career services? Does one or the other have better study abroad business programs? </p>
<p>Location could be a important if you plan on living in one state or another. Each university business school would have stronger ties to their area.</p>
<p>Both of these business schools are ranked in the top ten by U.S. News. Within the schools are various programs. For example, Marshall has a unique program, Business and Cinematic Arts. If that interests you Marshall would be your choice. Entrepreneurship is quite strong at SC as is accounting. Marketing is ranked higher at Michigan.</p>
<p>I agree with weaverfan. A student does not easily transfer into Wharton. My opinion is you should select a business school you feel is the best fit, excel in the classroom, on campus and participate in the case competitions. Take advantage of opportunities for networking, career counseling and business internships. Prepare yourself for a good position in the future.</p>
<p>Honestly, I hear a lot about Marshall and very little about Ross. Also remember that Marshall is in LA, which means more job opportunities than in Michigan. </p>
<p>But it will be extremely difficult to transfer in…</p>
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<li><p>Undergrad Wharton is purported to have a sub-10% admit rate for those applying out of high school; the transfer rate is doubtlessly even lower than that. Furthermore Penn, like most colleges, will probably give a preference to their in-house transfers. They will also most likely want to know what your high school GPA and standardized test scores were; if you don’t think you can get in as a high school applicant it’s highly unlikely you’ll be accepted after freshman year regardless of GPA and where you go to college.</p></li>
<li><p>Michigan-Ross is a 3-year program not a 2-year and there is a preferred admissions program for freshman that guarantees you a space in the school provided you maintain a minimum GPA your first year (I think it’s a 3.5, but am not sure). FWIW, if you worry about rankings, Ross has been consistently considered a top 10 (occasionally top 5) program for undergraduate business; Marshall has been climbing in the rankings over the last few years. Frankly, as someone who was a hiring manager for more than 20 years, I never saw any differences among the top 10% of graduates from any of the top 20 schools - except in maybe what I had to pay them.</p></li>
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<p>So if you drop the idea of transferring to Wharton then it becomes a question of which is the best choice for you in the long run. Both schools will give you the opportunity at a great education, so you may want to consider which one will have the better alumni/job connections upon graduation. Where do you want to live after graduation? If it’s the West Coast then USC will be stronger; if you want to live and work in Chicago and eastward then Michigan wins. In the south, Dallas -> Miami, I’d guess it’s a toss up. That doesn’t mean you can’t get a job in the other’s “territory”. it just means that contact/connections are strongest when closest to “the mother ship”. </p>
<p>I’d stop worrying about Wharton and build a plan based on the places you’ve been accepted.</p>