08jkam

As a senior who is interested in Finance (also finance engineering, I-Banking, and perhaps accounting), I've applied to seven great eastern coast Colleges that all contain prestiged business programs. When the decisions come by, it seems that only McIntire (UVA), Tepper (CMU), and Goizueta (Emory) are my currently viable choices (I am not hopeful of getting off the waitlist from either Cornell CALS or NYU Stern). What makes this decision particularly hard for me are the following reasons:

1. Having spent 3 years in a Virginian Private High School (A really good one that is considered one of the biggest feeders to UVA), I am looking for a more diverse environment.
2. Although I do bear a strong interest in finance, I still want to engage in real college life, meaning that I want to enjoy sports, sunshine, friends hanging out, etc etc.
3. Even if I claimed not to have a preference over campus environments, I still prefer a pretty, green, suburban campus filled with sunshine.
4. I'm Asian, but I'm not a big fan of constantly hanging around with my peers with same ethnicity and speaking our language. (like Koreans, if you prefer).
5. Prestige is still quite a factor for my parents (and me to a certain extend)

Thank you--if your kindness ever take you through these lines--and please help me out in making decisions. As you can see, the 5 points are indeed hard to accommodate with given my choices; so please, if I may ask for you furthering your time and generosity, offer a few words and opinions to assist me. My appreciations once again!.

08jkam

I guess in general, I want to receive a top-notched education in business with particular focus in finance, while at the same time engaging in exciting school activities like sports with diverse friends in a pretty environment.

Is there a school in those that I've mentioned? I'm really not sure.

tomahawk89

In terms of Prestige and job placement, it is McIntire>Tepper=Goizueta. McIntire is almost as good as other two that you are waitlisted (Stern and CALS).
If you major in Computational Finance in Tepper, it is definitely better than Goizueta, may even tie to McIntire. But if you want to have some backup plan in case Finance and IB don't seem to be your way, then UVa, CMU, and Emory all have their idiosyncrasy so I would say... UVa.

brkr

McIntire for sure....

dsdc1

#1cmu tepper.

melli

It seems like diversity is a big issue for those who are in state, but never fear, with 12,000 undergrads, there is so much more people you can hang out with. I understand your concern about hanging around Asians as I am Asian myself. (And haha, Koreans do tend to clump together here). But again, don't worry about it. Making friends with non Asians is easy, racial barriers aren't that apparent when you want to get to know others.

UVA's grounds are nice in the summer, breathtaking in the fall, still pretty in the winter, and um, wet in the spring (I'm not a fan of this season). There's greenery everywhere and in general, just a very aesthetically pleasing place to be.

I'm actually entering the McIntire school next year and have joined a wide range of organizations and made friends from all walks of life. I think you'll enjoy it if you come here.

08jkam

What about the job placements? In Tepper, from what I learned in today's visit, 95% graduates got a job 6 months after graduation, and the mean salary is 60k. It also seems like that CMU gets a lot of attention from those big firms in Wall Street. Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Lehman Brothers love Tepper kids. How's UVA McIntire in terms of this?

Globalist

Here's a 2007 McIntire Career Placement PDF that you might find interesting.

I just checked the hiring stats for Tepper. Eh, McIntire's is better. More Wall Street firms hire more McIntire grads.

felixmcgrady

if u r good at and interested in math and CS, well, of course most of the asians do, i guess Tepper is a good choice. but i am pretty sure McIntire and Darden could be more productive and diversified.

Globalist

08kjam, since you're possibly interested in accounting, here's an article about the McIntire School recently winning the KPMG Auditing Competition in NYC for the 2nd year in a row. The accounting department of the University of Virginia received $25,000 and each student team member $3,000.

tb2588

As an in-stater, going to UVa intending to go to McInitire is a much, much better value than the other two schools. Even if money is not an issue, as a business-oriented person, you should think about that. Especially if you think you want to go into an MBA program!

cavalier302

Unless Notre Dame and CMU are giving you money, go to UVA. The recruiting at UVA is at least as good as it is at the other two schools (and probably better). Even if you decide not to major in business, your job prospects will be excellent. Additionally, UVA's got a great social scene, great sports, a very civically involved student body and very moderate weather, a combination of attributes that the other two do not have.

tb2588, going to UVA gives you no particular boost for getting into MBA programs other than the fact that job recruiting here is very strong. Admission to top MBA programs is based primarily on work experience, followed by GMAT scores, essays, recommendations and academic record. So yes, going to a good school can affect which MBA programs you get into, but the relationship isn't direct.

tb2588

cav, I did not mean to imply that UVA will give you a better chance at getting into an MBA program, but I was referring to the money situation: that is, you shouldn't spend a lot of extra money for an undergrad b-school if you intend to go onto the MBA.

cavalier302

Maybe, maybe not. In this case, choosing UVA instat would be an easy choice. But what about UVa vs MIT? One is cheaper, but the other would give a substantialy better shot at hedge fund jobs and other very high-paying finance gigs. Most applicants to top MBA programs have at least four years of experience, and altough MBA programs are pricey, top ones quickly pay for themselves.