afned368

Hi, I'm an incoming junior and am looking at potential colleges. These four colleges are my favorites so far. I want to know which of these colleges is the best for multiple things such as:
Business/economics major
Social/Nightlife Scene
Location
In reality I don't care about the most prestigious name but I'd rather go to a college which combines a great social/nightlife scene with great academics. I also don't plan on joining a frat, so I don't want a college with exclusive parties. Thanks!

magentaturtle

Business is probably Penn considering Wharton. Harvard will always get you connections though for pretty much everything. Columbia is in NYC so nightlife wise you could always go clubbin.

I don't know anything about Princeton really.

I'm not much of a help xD

juillet

I live in NYC and I wouldn't rely on clubbing in NYC - most of the clubs I know of are 21+. But of course I moved here after I was 21 already (for graduate school), so I'm sure the undergrads know the clubs that don't card or allow 18 and up students in.

The business/economics major is probably Penn because of Wharton, of course. Location is a subjective thing. I went to college in a large urban area and if I could do it over again, I'd want a smaller area with a campus because I feel like campus life is richer when the school isn't competing with the city. In that way, I think Princeton might be ideal because it's focused on undergrad education and although there are two major cities nearby for cultural activities and clubbing (you can be to NYC or Philadelphia in less than 2 hours), there may be a lot more going on on campus there. But if you want an urban experience, Penn and Columbia would be ideal because they offer you that while still having some sort of campus (at least in the case of Columbia).

happy1

All are fantastic schools - you should visit and see where you feel most comfortable. Only Penn (Wharton) has undergrad business, the other schools have economics which will be in the liberal arts school.

You should find some less competitive schools as well to apply to because admission to these schools is not a sure thing for anyone.

zobroward

maybe u of texas austin

tk21769

These four schools are reaches for virtually all applicants, even with excellent stats. So if they are still your favorites after considering more schools, it would make sense to apply to more than one (or even all 4). If you're fortunate enough to be admitted to more than one, you can then decide after attending the events for admitted students (and after doing more research between now and then).

Be sure you also apply to match and safety schools. Consider costs and aid in choosing your back-ups. The Ivies are all very expensive; they offer little or no merit aid. So make sure you can cover your Expected Family Contribution, or have a realistic strategy to cover the gap if you cannot.

beyphy

1. Penn > Harvard > Columbia
2. Columbia = Penn = Harvard
3. Columbia > Penn = Harvard

With regard to the fourth point, Penn has a very present greek scene. (~20% if i recall correctly.) Not sure about the others, but that's something worth considering.

I heard the subway trip from Cambridge to Boston isn't bad at all. So Harvard shouldn't have too bad of a night life/social scene either.

barrk123

Penn is known as the "social ivy"

astonmartinDBS

Penn does have a strong greek scene, but frat parties are almost never exclusive...

Location -> I prefer boston/NY, but Princeton has a very nice campus
Business -> definitely Wharton for an actual business education (finance, real estate, accounting, etc.). Princeton/Harvard have economics programs that are much more theoretical. All three schools have strong recruiting though I'd give Wharton the edge in finance.

Murphy600

So have you gotten in to all those schools. Do your research on business majors. If nightlife is number2, lots of luck