Vandy Econ vs. Richmond Undergrad Business

<p>Hi everyone,
As the ED deadlines approach I have narrowed my list down to Vandy and University of Richmond.</p>

<p>I'm interested in pursuing a career in Business, particularly Finance, after college and I want to go to a social, work hard-play hard school.</p>

<p>I'm sure Vandy is undisputedly the better, more prestigious school, but in terms of the economics/business programs at each school I'm not sure how they stack up.</p>

<p>I know that UR's Robins school is a very good undergrad business program, but how is the Econ department at Vanderbilt? Also, how is career placement for each of the programs, especially internships, because pursuing an MBA a few years after college is something I am kind of interested in.</p>

<p>I would Question you if it is necessary to apply ED to get into UR. UR is a very handsome school with good professors in a good town even though the campus is suburban. </p>

<p>If you have the stats to get into Vanderbilt ED, you do not have to apply to UR early. You do not have to compare the business programs of UR to Vanderbilt’s business clusters and econ major to find work. </p>

<p>Instead, I would look at the issues of the costs of your education at UR vs Vanderbilt. </p>

<p>You should absolutely know your EFC in a general way at Vandy and at UR before making the next move. Vandy offers need aid sans loans, UR is not entirely need blind and I could be wrong, but I don’t think they can do need aid without loans at this time although they are no doubt working on this goal.</p>

<p>Secondly, if you know you will be Full Pay. You have different issues in front of you. Vanderbilt merit money is awarded to just over 1-2% of admitted students, in a pool where the students are all equals in many respects. ie…merit winners look like normal admits. ED students do win merit money BTW at Vandy. Tip Top scores are required since the entire class is good at testing.</p>

<p>I haven’t studied UR’s merit money pages in a couple of years. But I recall they require some love to be shown to the school by applying at an earlier date if you want consideration for merit dollars. I believe they have an attractive amount of merit dollars. And they certainly have a business friendly atmosphere on campus. Winning merit dollars is rare but probably not as rare as winning merit at Vanderbilt.</p>

<p>I know how tired seniors are in October. It was a very difficult season for both of our sons! But you should be looking at the cost of your education. MBA programs like you to have worked for 4-6 years, as you know. But they are still very costly graduate degrees and not heavily underwritten with merit dollars. There will be loans. Is my message. </p>

<p>we did full pay for one son at Duke and he is now facing night school MBA at public institutions as pretty much his only financially sound option so he can keep his good job in this recession season without end. </p>

<p>Think before you spend it all on undergrad. I am thinking of the lovely young women I know who both landed jobs in top accounting firms at the ages of 22…one went to UGA Honors and the other to VA Tech. They have already passed all their qualifying exams to be accountants and can be attractive grad school candidates without having spent all their $. </p>

<p>Econ requires very very good math acumen. I speak as the mother of a Duke econ major with a 3.4. Most interviews with consulting firms etc on Duke’s campus required a higher GPA. It is tough out there in the work place. I think it is worth it to be a B student in any quantitative major myself when you are among very strong peers… But being strategic about finances is important.<br>
good luck. BTW, I have toured UR twice and know many grads who are all doing well.</p>