Chance Me: IU Kelley, too competitive now? [IN resident, 3.8 GPA, top 10% rank, 1320 SAT]

[tsbna44]

They do - but should they?

It depends on risk tolerance.

Of course, many will say an Econ degree at UVA/UNC is far superior to one at IU.

All that said - to me, I’d want to study what I’d want to study - so I’d go direct admit. Too many kids have too much stress “trying” to make it.

But everyone is different and if one is comfortable with that, it’s fine. But there are kids that don’t make it - and I would rather be at one place for years (at least have access to that) vs. potentially needing to leave to another school to study what I want.

Total tradeoff and everyone is different.

But in my opinion, starting college is stressful enough without this overhang.

[happy1]

I’m a fan of direct entry programs. I know too many people who went to a college hoping to get into the b-school and then it doesn’t work out – they either change their major or transfer (neither of which is ideal). Depends on the level of risk you are comfortable with, how many internal transfers are accepted, your back-up plan, etc.

To me you have an excellent and affordable option at Purdue so you are in great shape (huge congrats) – I’d consider anything else to be a bonus.

[sfogooner]

Sure. your valid point is valid. Since I frequent different college threads here, I find it surprising that people in the IU thread are very much concerned with Kelley direct admit while in the penn st thread, people are happy to take the risk to meet the gpa requirements for Smeal.

[ucbalumnus]

@sfogooner

Since I frequent different college threads here, I find it surprising that people in the IU thread are very much concerned with Kelley direct admit while in the penn st thread, people are happy to take the risk to meet the gpa requirements for Smeal.

PSU business major admission is based on completing required courses and meeting a college GPA threshold (3.00 to 3.25 depending on what subarea of business): https://ugstudents.smeal.psu.edu/academics-advising/get-into-a-smeal-major/smeal-college-entrance-to-major-2024-25

IU will admit to business secondary admission applicants who earn a B or better in every (not just business and prerequisites) IU course on the first attempt, but others will go through comprehensive review: Standard Admission 2025 Criteria | Bachelor's Degree in Business | Indiana Kelley

[spilt]

That’s very true, and is of considerable concern to me. Like I said though, I think I would perform better under the stress of essentially “losing” $25k & a year of my life. I’ll have 3 prereqs done (and some elective credit, over 20 total credit hours from IUB/IU East, with about 20 from Ivy Tech and AP classes…) This way of processing stress is also why I like the opportunities Kelley would give me to get into IB, because I feel that I could pursue and succeed in that field. That being said, its hard to know at 17 years old if it would really even be worth it. In the coming four 1/2 years, my goals might (and most likely will) change, and I’m conscious of that. Despite the pressure and cost and all the other factors, as Catcherinthetoast said earlier in this thread,

"I disagree with the implication that setting lofty goals or seeking lucrative career opportunities is setting yourself up for failure. In fact it is the only way of achieving such things.

In the words of Vince Lombardi…

‘The man on the top of the mountain didn’t fall there’."

Last resort at IU should I end up getting a crappy class that results in a B- or lower, I could switch to econ or transfer, but as you acknowledge, that’s not something that I would want to be obligated to do, and would greatly alter the trajectory of my career goals and truly my life. Purdue is emerging as my top pick now, despite my love for Kelley and Btown. Also, it’s not like achieving these lofty career goals would be impossible out of Purdue, people have done it recently. It would just be a hell of a lot harder off the beaten path of a semi-target like Kelley. I appreciate your insights and comments!

[spilt]

First and foremost, thanks for your congratulations! I have not been excited about any decisions or college in general until this Purdue offer Wednesday.

Last year, only 12% of ~1000 Kelley Pre-Business students met automatic admission standards. This left room for about 400 other students to be let in on review, for an overall rate of about 50% (not considering international/other state school/CC transfers). I’m sure I could do it, but really don’t love the odds. Tough call. Given risk and the financial situation, Purdue is my number 1.

[spilt]

Overall, like I’ve said in some replies, Purdue has taken my top spot.

Additionally, they invited me to apply for two other scholarships, one being a full ride with $10k+ stipends for “academic enrichment” (study abroad, research, etc.) and one that would pay for a masters and doctorate. I’m not super hopeful about those, but regardless, I recently learned that a very small number (~15%) of those accepted to Purdue are offered merit, and I received the top award.

I’ve also been building a network at Purdue, with Daniels reps commenting on my LinkedIn and reaching out to me about my decision. They’re good at what they do… lol.

All of this isn’t to boast (probably wont even get into the other state school lol), but to say that Purdue’s true holistic review is making it seem like they care about me as a person, whereas in Kelley’s admissions office right now, they’re probably using AI to compare my SAT to someone else’s SAT.

With Mitch’s investments (~$250M to the bschool I believe, with Purdue’s largest and most expensive building coming my junior year), and new hires (former federal reserve president James Bullard is the new dean, some admins came from UMich Ross as well) into his newly renamed school, I feel that Daniels could break well into the top 20. Also, It was named a “2023 undergraduate program to watch” by Poets & Quants. Hard to say for sure, and even if so, these rankings won’t change or apply to me until I’d be gone. What I’m also learning to accept is that these rankings don’t hold as much weight as I think they do.

Kind of word vomiting here. I grew up in a Purdue family, and maybe this scholarship is my sign to pursue the more specialized degree that I want. I put too much pressure on myself. I definitely worry about recruiting, prestige, the lackluster social life compared to IU, the housing (although the honors housing is freakin sweet), and the rigor of STEM courses at Purdue, among dozens of other things. Lots to consider. I’d also only have three classes left for my first two semesters at Purdue with my dual credits, so I’d have time to get ahead on a double/triple major, get involved with ib/consulting clubs and greek life, stay in the gym, take the class where you build an electric guitar etc.

Maybe I should accept everything, pay my enrollment deposit at Purdue, and call it a day.
Its tough processing it all, hell of a ride so far. Thank you all for your insights, advice, and encouragement in this thread!

[momofboiler1]

Boiler Up!

Purdue is definitely making big investments into Daniels and Honors College is a wonderful.

[spilt]

I was accepted to IU’s Hutton Honors College, but still no word on my Kelley petition. Also just accepted into Larsen Leaders Academy at Purdue and got my foot into the door of a business fraternity and IB club.