Where Should I Apply Early Decision?

<p>I know I want to do something in business, and right now the plan is i-banking (but that's obviously tentative). Regardless, I want to go to a school that will line me for up those opportunities. Right now my top choice is University of Michigan and I have a decent shot there. I have a sibling currently attending and have that stats for it. However, since UM is only EA, I get a free ED somewhere. So I'm looking for opinions on what schools I should look into more and consider applying ED to. I'm not interested in any LACs (too small) and the school must have a business/econ program superior to UM Ross. No FA is needed</p>

<p>Other than that, I'm all ears! The idea of being an econ major doesn't really appeal to me, but I think I am just ignorant about it (hopefully someone can sway me otherwise). I do not like math and I hear econ major is very (difficultly) math concentrated, which is why I think a practical business undergrad program would be more fitting; however, like I said, I may not be well enough informed. </p>

<p>If I can't come up with anything better then I probably will just toss in my ED to Wharton, which I am hesitant to do so just because I know it is a complete waste with my stats. Thanks!</p>

<p>lol, do your homework</p>

<p>“All Wharton students graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Economics”</p>

<p>If UMichigan is your top choice, I"m not sure why you feel a need to apply ED somewhere. ED should only be used for a school you want to attend above all others. Many people don’t apply ED anywhere and just apply EA/rolling at a few schools. I’d focus on getting in your application to UM early and you should hear back by December. </p>

<p>The biggest issue with UM is that they have very few preferred admits to Ross – you will likely have to apply after your freshman year so there is always a chance you won’t get into the b-school.</p>

<p>You do know that if you apply ED to Wharton and are admitted, then you CAN’T go to your top choice Michigan? </p>

<p>I mean, it’s a good strategy if your top choice is really Wharton, but if your top choice is Michigan it’s a terrible strategy.</p>

<p>If you have to ask where you should apply ED, you shouldn’t apply ED. The choice should be obvious, or don’t do it.</p>

<p>

LOL, indeed. :rolleyes: Although Wharton calls its undergraduate degree a “BS in Economics” for historical reasons (that’s what it’s called its undergraduate degree since 1894), the degree is NOT actually a degree in Economics in modern academic terms. In fact, the Wharton undergraduate curriculum requires only a single Economics course, and that is a course tailored exclusively for Wharton students. Wharton’s BS in Economics is actually a business degree, albeit with a strong dose of liberal arts courses (typically 40% of a Wharton undergrad’s courses).</p>

<p>On the other hand, Penn’s College of Arts and Sciences DOES offer a traditional Economics major, which is more theoretical and math-based (and is very highly regarded, with Penn’s Economics Department being universally ranked among the top 10 in the country). But a student who majors in Economics at Penn would receive a BA from Penn’s College, and NOT a BS from Wharton. I know–it’s kinda confusing. :)</p>

<p>@brownparent believe me the homework has been done lol. what 45 percenter said…^</p>

<p>And I guess this didn’t come off clear, but I’m not looking for an answer, I’m looking for ideas/options I should consider. And I would prefer Wharton over Michigan (of course), but my stats are just too off so I’m just trying to see if there are other (more realistic) reaches that I should consider for my ED. If I can’t come up with anything better then I will do Wharton.</p>

<p>It still stands that if you have to ask, then you probably shouldn’t apply ED.</p>

<p>If you’re stats are not up to Wharton standards, why do you assume you’ll get into Ross?</p>

<p>If you’re not Wharton-caliber, and you don’t like math or econ, what makes you a potential candidate for i-banking? In fact, why do you even want i-banking? I’m no expert, just want to know more.</p>

<p>Some schools/programs you should consider applying ED too that are slightly less selective than Wharton:</p>

<p>Dartmouth College (Economics)
Duke University (Economics Major with Finance Concentration)
Northwestern University (MMSS major with Kellogg Analytics Certificate)
NYU Stern School (Undergraduate Business)</p>

<p>All of these specific programs/schools would be considered on par or a step up for i-banking compared to UMich Ross.</p>

<p>@chardo from what I’ve gathered, i-banking doesn’t involve much complicated math beyond simple algebra, adding, subtracting, etc. Like I said, I’m not dead set on it, it just sounds interesting to me at this time; however, regardless of what in business I do, I want to learn the practical skills in college that will directly prepare me for my job. I don’t at all assume that I’ll get into Ross pre-admit, but I think I would have a good shot at Ross applying the following year regular decision. I’m a decently smart kid (33 ACT) I just messed up my freshman year of high school due to family issues so am ending up with a 3.7 UW which isn’t good enough for Wharton (one of, if not, the most selective schools out there), that’s all. So I’m looking for more options to consider. </p>

<p>@goldenboy thank you so much, that’s what I was looking for. I will look into each of those more! that’s very helpful. :)</p>

<p>I think you should just do EA at Michigan, and then you can apply RD at other schools.</p>

<p>Do not do ED if you are unclear about what is your top choice.</p>

<p>Don’t assume you’re accepted to Mich with a 3.7 GPA. A 3.7 GPA is well below average - and Michigan cares a lot about GPA. An upward trend and strong ACT will help, though.</p>

<p>What happens if you go to Michigan and you aren’t accepted to Ross? Many students with 3.7+ GPAs are not accepted. The most common route is Economics. But you said you don’t think you’ll like it… it doesn’t sound like you have a backup plan. What would you do?</p>

<p>Goldenboy makes some good suggestions. But unfortunately, MMSS is very math heavy, while Duke and Dartmouth are both economics. You should not apply to a school ED for economics if you do not know if you like Economics! Stern is a solid option - slightly stronger than Ross for ibanking recruiting.</p>

<p>Why do you want to work in ibanking? I would honestly only apply EA to a bunch of schools, and RD to a couple schools mentioned. You need to find out if you actually have some interest in economics, as most of these top schools have economics programs and not regular b schools. Maybe a more traditional b school such as Ross, McIntire, or Haas is a better fit for you.</p>

<p>Look into IU-Kelley as a safety.</p>

<p>@Pat1120 I never have assumed that I’d be admitted to Michigan LSA either. I just said I have a decent shot there, which I do. And yeah I am worried about not being accepted to Ross, which is why I’m looking into alternatives. But there’s no way to know if I will at this time, so I’d just have to give it my best shot and hope for the best if I do go to Michigan. Unfortunately NYC/NYU doesn’t appeal to me so Stern is out. But I will look into more what it’s like being an economics major and what Duke, Northwestern, etc. can offer. </p>

<p>I don’t think my point is coming off clear enough, though. I’ve tried to explain it several times, so hopefully this will get it across. PENN is my favorite campus I have ever seen and I love the idea of Wharton, I just know that it is the equivalent of flushing my app. down the toilet lol. So my point is, I’m not going to apply ED nowhere. I’m either going to do Wharton or something else – if there is something else out there that I like more than Michigan; not using my ED isn’t an option because there’s always Wharton, which I do like more than Michigan. So I really am just trying to hear some suggestions, that’s all. I never at any point have stated that I am confident about getting into any of these places, but who is? I still just want to hear more about what’s out there, and thank you all for the insight!</p>

<p>And I don’t really know if I want to do i-banking or not. I just want to go to a school that can be recruited for it if down the road I decide it’s something I want to pursue. And truth is, schools that have recruiters for i-banking generally have recruiting for everything business related so it is a good place to be, no matter what I decide to do. Not every school can get a kid to wall street, that’s a matter of fact.</p>

<p>Although LACs are probably out of your league, I would still suggest Claremont McKenna and Bowdoin - both have great Economics department.
Actually… Are you interested in Economics or Business? They can be very different so please be clear about it.</p>

<p>bhchamp, you never answered classicrockerdad, and I have the same question. You do understand that if you are admitted ED somewhere, you MUST attend that school? You must promptly withdraw all other applications. ED is a commitment to attend whichever school accepts you. </p>

<p>You get that part, right?</p>

<p>@calla yeah of course I get that. I meant michigan is my REALISTIC top choice right now. I’d gladly commit to Wharton in a heart beat if I were accepted lol. I just don’t see that happening so I want to see what other slightly more realistic reaches I should consider for that ED because if nothing else, I’ll just do Wharton.</p>

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<p>Are you struggling trying to figure out why no one is able to help you? </p>

<p>Have you read your posts? LOL!</p>

<p>LOL not surprised… I’m pretty jumbled on everything haha. oh well, it was worth the shot. at least I’ve walked away with the duke suggestion, which is something I’m now starting to consider! thanks everyone!</p>