mrobbs1266

My dad and I were recently talking about schools and one of the places he brought up was UMass-Amherst, mainly for their Isenberg management school. My goal is to major in marketing and minor in poly-sci, although economics is tempting as well. We were both wondering how UMass Isenberg stacks up with other area business schools (Bryant, Bentley, Babson) and liberal arts schools that have strong bus. programs (Providence, Fairfield) UMass is in-state for me and I think is somewhere in the $15-20k range, which would certainly help in saving up for an mba program or maybe law school. I've also heard Isenberg is quite competitive and I'll post my stats here so you guys can give me some advice.
Academic GPA: 3.37 UW, 3.9 W
Frosh: 3.25 Soph: 3.25 Junior: 3.6
Generally a normal course old with about 2-3 Honors/AP mixed in.
Class Rank: Top 15-20%
Great ECs; won 2 honorable mention in MUN at BU, Best overall at the UN-USA conference Been in MUN for 3 years. Did acapella for 2 years. President of choir, jazz choir, treasurer of class. In a volunteer organization. Has a team for the JDRF (juvenile diabetes) and we raised over $25,000 last year for my disease. Currently trying to work on getting a political club at my school. And will work for a commercial real estate co. later this year.
SATs: (600 CR, 500 M, 600 W), not great, but have a tutor and am hoping to hit 1250 on 2 part. Math's a perenial weakness.

So chances at Isenberg and an analysis on the value of UMass in relation to the other schools I listed would be great. Thanks!

TUOwls2011

Bentley and Babson are reaches. I'd probably say PC is a slight reach/low match. I would assume you'd get into Isenberg, although I'm not sure, because some programs there are much more competitive than others.

mrobbs1266

Thanks TUOwl, I agree. I definetly thought bentley and babson were reaches, but I don't think I'd apply Babson. I liked Bryant a lot, so I think that will probably the one full on business school. I think it just too business in general. Isenberg is definetly one of the more competitive UMass schools, so I guess I just got to keep my fingers crossed. Thanks again.

TUOwls2011

A friend of mine (from Cambridge, no less) goes to Bryant, and likes it a lot. Yeah, Isenberg can be weird. I didn't get in for Sports Management (although it is arguably the toughest SM program to get into). Marketing likely isn't anywhere near as competitive, though.

mrobbs1266

Yeah, I've heard nothing but good things about Bryant, its just the whole financial issue, which is not a huge problem for me, but if I can save up for an MBA I will. I've heard the same thing about the SM program and am glad to hear that marketing is probably is less competitive. UMass is really odd like that in general, but I'm sure other schools have the same problem.

mrobbs1266

How do you guys think Isenberg would compare to Bryant, PC or Fairfield for business in the New England area? Do you think that it would give the same or better chances at a good MBA or law program down the road?

TUOwls2011

I'm a major proponent in the 'It's not where you went, it's what you do' philosophy. Just do your best, get an internship, get involved with stuff on campus, etc. and you'll be fine.