<p>I'm terribly torn between the 2 and don't know where to go.</p>
<p>U of I:
-U of I is 25k a year
-12 ranked business program
-I'll have a business degree
-Don't really like the area/climate
-I worked my ass off during high school and don't want to settle for U of I</p>
<p>Vandy:
-Beautiful/2nd hottest girls
-More prestigious school
-Better school and teachers than U of I
-50k a year (put I got some merit scholarship)
-After being rejected from Ivys with incredible stats I want to go a somewhat presitgious school</p>
<p>Here’s a few things you need to think about. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Will you be going to grad school ( most likely, a business grad school right) Where do you want that to be? If you are looking for another prestigious grad school, coming from U of I business is very helpful. Where you ultimately would like to settle and where you will make your best connections should be considered. You cannot look at U of I as a whole, it is compartmentalized due to the wide range of acedemics. The engineering school and business schools are every bit as difficult to get into as any Ivy. Look at their stats. That said, I will be attending Vandy this coming fall because I am stuyding Elementary Education and their program is one of the best in the country. I was also accepted at Northwestern but plan on attending Vandy because NU does not have an elementray Ed program, but does have a grad program in same. Owen school is highly regarded but that is because Vandy on a whole is highly regarded, it is not singled out the way U of I business school is.
Going to U of I wouldnt be settling, it would be a stepping stone.</p></li>
<li><p>$$$$ congratualations in such fabuolus monetary assistance from both. well done!!! Vandys ticket price is high… U of I is known to be one of the best acedemics values in the country. Urbana is not such a great place, no doubt. However it is centrally located so getting to great cities (Chgo is only 2 hours away) isnt that big of a deal. Greek life is huge! Nashville is an awesome town. Greek life is huge again. weather is a bit more tolerable then Urbana.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>what I am trying to say is, look ahead. Visualize your future, where you want to be and what exactly you want for your future path or at aleast a general direction. That can help make this big decision a bit easier. youve got amazing choices, be proud of yourself for that. Many kids this year with amazing stats that only applied to Ivys are now scrambling for a school to go to because they didnt plan on the craziness of this years application pools enough. Youve got 2 to choose from and neither is a bad choice!
Good luck.</p>
<p>Do not think of U of I as settling. My cousin went there and graduated to a job and salary that mirrored those of Ivy Leaguers in finance. Its an incredible time, with the biggest greek life in the world(yet you won’t be isolated at all if you choose not to pledge), tons of bars(if that’s what you’re into) and top engineering and business schools. And there are plenty of attractive girls there. Climate is typical midwest–it’ll be crappy for part of the year, but in fall and spring it’s beautiful. In terms of area, you won’t feel as if you’re trapped; it’s no Nashville, but its a big school and a decent sized town with lots to do. It is also cheaper than vandy, though aid is not so great</p>
<p>Then again, vandy is in a beautiful area most of the year round, and right at the edge of Nashville, a great city. Greek life is also big there, but in a different way than u of i from what I hear. Smaller school, different culture, so consider that. Some people thrive in that atmosphere. Class size will be smaller with fewer TA’s teaching and more personal attention. Its better ranked than u of i, but if you are in the chicago area u of i will be more well known probably. Their aid is usually great. </p>
<p>Hopefully you can take money out of the situation, then choose whichever you feel is a better fit. You can’t miss with either, and if you plan to do business as a career both will be good choices.</p>
<p>As a former UI faculty member, I can tell you that the B-School is top flight, especially in accounting–Everybody recruits there, has about the highest CPA pass rate around, and is ranked towards the top of just about every survey of undergrad accounting–definately NOT settling</p>
<p>Son is in almost exact same position as you!!! Rejected from top ivies, accepted into Vandy, full-ride (including tuition, room& board, fees, books, travel) at a lesser tier 1 school, and campus-wide honors engineering U of I. Because he’s in-state and has some merit scholarships, he’d be paying around $22,000 per year there. </p>
<p>He is still deciding between the U of I and full-ride, but has decided definitely against Vandy because of the cost. If you’re paying full-freight (we would, less the NMF discount) IMHO it just isn’t worth is for undergraduate. He is planning on position himself for top grad school now.</p>
<p>From what I hear, U of I business or engineering is truly top notch and respected everywhere, but because it isn’t as selective as Vandy, it DOES feel to him like he’s settling. I suspect that will go away after 1st few weeks there.</p>