<p>I don’t have a specific job or graduate study I was looking into, I just didn’t want to be struggling after I’m done with whatever I do during college, because companies/grad schools don’t hire/accept from the school I attend.</p>
<p>The only school where you mentioned the strength of the degree was Penn. You’re not going to be running your whole life, think about your future and the doors Penn could open for you. But ultimately, go to whichever you think is the best fit for you, we can’t decide that; only you can.</p>
<p>^ I just can’t see companies saying “although he did well in college, he went to ucla. He won’t be hired”</p>
<p>Thanks I think things are getting a little clearer. I think my view on Penn was initially so biased because my official visit was extremely boring, my hosts were freshmen and one studied the entire time I was there. So, I had this idea that penn students spend their free time studying or sleeping, which i know could be the norm, but knowing myself I would probably go insane if this was my daily routine. I would need some sort of social outlet on a weekly basis, besides getting wasted on weekends.</p>
<p>^ that’s not true most of the time.</p>
<p>I think if you actually partied with a good frat at Penn, on a thursday/friday/saturday night, you would totally change your opinion of it. you’re being given a chance to attend the #4 ranked school in the country, which is in a great city and known for its social life and amazing reputation with employers. take it and don’t look back.</p>
<p>when you’re about to graduate from a big flagship public, you’re on your own. only found a job at starbucks? that sucks. too bad. when you’re about to graduate from penn, you sit down for an interview with Nike/Coca-Cola/Blackstone/etc.</p>
<p>Okay but are most jobs given to the wharton graduates or kids who graduate from the college</p>
<p>The Wharton graduates specialize in a rather narrow niche of finance/consulting jobs, and as a school they are few in number in comparison to College graduates. If you look at the distribution of jobs of College graduates, the distribution of jobs/grad school plans/etc is going to be identical to what you’d find at a Columbia or a Princeton. So yes, College kids get the banking/consulting jobs at the most prestigious firms. But they also get jobs in the government, go to med or law school, get other business jobs, do Teach for America, etc…</p>
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<p>Those were the most ridiculous statements I have ever heard. Whoever thinks a degree from UCLA holds no power needs a checkup and a serious dose of reality. (I live on the east), but visiting California, most people don’t even know what Penn is and think its Penn State while everyone immediately thinks your smart if you go to UCLA.</p>
<p>I agree with Set Point. All of the schools you have listed have strength of degree. You can get a great job after graduating from Penn, U Mich, UCLA, or UVA.</p>
<p>That being said, I would say UCLA. Many UCLA students get in to the top grad schools in the country or get great jobs immediately after graduating. The major advantages about UCLA are the weather (who doesn’t want to wear shorts in January?!) and the social scene (hot girls, great parties). Plus, Los Angeles is a great city with so much to do!</p>
<p>UCLA/UVA/Michigan all have great reputations, but their career services office isn’t in the same league as Penn’s. penn tries to make sure every senior who wants to go in to the workforce gets a job, whereas no public university has the resources to do that. you can go on Berkeley’s web site and see their career data. for every person with a great corporate job, there’s someone else with a job in “retail sales” or “tree removal.” it’s a gamble that you don’t need to take. </p>
<p>and while they are all impressive names to the public, there is a difference in degree strength. think of it this way: a 47 and a 52 are both sick times to the average person, who couldn’t come close to either of them. but you are informed enough to know that they’re in totally different universes. </p>
<p>Penn offers you security. Sky-high graduation rate, as well as top job/grad placement. Your other options offer you great college experiences but a much shakier future. </p>
<p>what’s the graduation rate for varsity athletes at UCLA/UVA/Michigan? think about that.</p>
<p>wow excellent point. well track usually has very high graduation rates, for example uva’s is 100%, mcihgan 90% and ucla 88%, but thats a great point.</p>