This is my first time posting on this forum. My S was fortunate enough to be accepted into some amazing institutions. We have narrowed the choices down to these 3 schools. He wants to pursue Economics and Finance and work for an Investment Bank in the future. This is what we have determined so far:
Overall Prestige:
Vanderbilt > Amherst > Michigan
IB Placement:
Michigan > Amherst > Vanderbilt
Quality of Life/Location:
Vanderbilt > Michigan > Amherst
Also, he got into Michigan’s undergraduate school of Arts and Sciences, not business. Does this matter? Is this school worst than Mich’s business school for IB placement?
Is Amherst that much more of a target school than Vanderbilt to sacrifice the quality of life? How overbearing is Greek life at Vandy? My S is unsure about joining a fraternity.
Lastly, how do these schools fare in terms of placement into top Graduate Business School (e.g. Wharton)?
I would appreciate any input, experiences, and opinions. Thanks for your help!
Amherst is tiny and elite – rather impressive that he got in there. Vandy and UMichigan may be better known by the general public on account of their large populations and sports leagues, but as a Little Ivy Amherst will stand out more in the world of Investment Banking! Bear in mind also, as far as lifestyle it is walking distance to UMass Amherst (20K undergrads+) and in the same consortium with Smith, Mt. Holyoke and Hampshire. Amherst students can take classes on all 5 campuses if they want to meet new people. It does look a bit stark at first but there is plenty going on.
Not really, they are all prestigious in their own way. Overall, I would say they are equally prestigious.
“IB Placement:
Michigan > Amherst > Vanderbilt”
If your son graduates from Ross, yes. Otherwise, they are all about the same when it comes to IB placement.
“Quality of Life/Location:
Vanderbilt > Michigan > Amherst”
I am not sure it is possible to compare those three schools. All of them offer great experiences in their own, very different ways. Which one appeals most to your son?
“Also, he got into Michigan’s undergraduate school of Arts and Sciences, not business. Does this matter? Is this school worst than Mich’s business school for IB placement?”
Yes. IB recruitment at Ross is extremely potent (second to Wharton among undergraduate business programs). LSA would present no advantage over Amherst of Vanderbilt.
“Is Amherst that much more of a target school than Vanderbilt to sacrifice the quality of life?”
I do not think so.
“How overbearing is Greek life at Vandy? My S is unsure about joining a fraternity.”
I will leave that question to a Vandy student/alum.
“Lastly, how do these schools fare in terms of placement into top Graduate Business School (e.g. Wharton)?”
Congratulations to your son on getting into three wonderful colleges! He will be able to get a top quality education at any of the three.
Has your son visited all three schools?
“Quality of life” is subjective. In my personal opinion, the quality of life and educational experience at a small liberal arts college is the best. Amherst has small classes, close relationships with professors, undergraduate-centered opportunities, among the most impressive per-student financial resources of any college or university, and the open and abundant social and extracurricular opportunities of a top small LAC without fraternities. Amherst is also part of a five-college consortium, increasing the opportunities available to students without sacrificing the benefits of a small college community.
But your son’s impressions may be different. A visit should help him feel out urban vs. small town, large vs. small, northeast vs. south vs. midwest.
When faced with three such high-quality choices, there are no “wrong”choices. It really comes down to a decision about in which environment he feels most comfortable and will thrive best.
P.S. I do NOT think your son should choose by rankings, but since you mentioned prestige, if he does pick Amherst, you can feel good about the Forbes college rankings, in which Amherst is ranked highest of the three. But really that is not a meaningful difference— they all are well-regarded colleges that attract top students and that employers and graduate schools will hold in high esteem. Pick by where he will feel most “at home” for four years!