Deciding a school - UConn [~30k] vs. Binghamton [~30k] vs. UMass Amherst [~40k] vs. UMD [~50k] vs. Rutgers [~50k] vs. Fordham [~63k] for finance

Agree.

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You have great choices. Regardless of where you go, get involved. I recently spoke to my son who’s at UMd. He confirmed that most of the students and recruiting is in the DMV area but that quite a few of his business fraternity members are working in the NY area. Although he’ll be interning in DC this June and July (a decent commute from his off campus apartment) he believes that the networking opportunities he’s gained through his involvement in clubs and his fraternity will help him secure an internship back home next year.
Fordham will provide more opportunities in NY but you must get involved.

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I am a little late to this thread, but I recommend giving UConn another look if it is still in the running. UConn has an excellent business program, particularly in accounting and finance, and allows for more class selection flexibility in the business school than some other programs. UConn also has a very big investment and commercial banking alumni network, especially in hedge funds and smaller trading firms which do not do active recruiting and you need to network your way into. A lot of these firms are in Fairfield County.

UConn plays well if you want to go on to get an MBA a few years after college.

I would add that on the cost side, tuition and room and board is just part of the equation. Living in LA or NYC is really expensive beyond just the cost of school. Storrs, CT is pretty cheap.

Edit: I would also add that UConn has a big alumni network in NYC not just for finance, but also socially. A lot of UConn grads end up in NYC, which makes it a very fun place to hang out for UConn grads in their 20’s.

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Everybody plays well for getting an MBA - it’s the work experience that matters.

I don’t believe OP was considering UCONN anymore but UMD, UCLA, and Fordham.

also while you’re talking housing, see if schools guarantee housing all four years and if off-campus housing is easy to come by if not

the advice i found most helpful for my decision is ā€œflip a coin between two schools, and see whether you feel excited or disappointed about which you choseā€

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As someone that went to a state school, then a Top 5 MBA program, my experience is that getting into a top program is a little more complicated than just work experience.

The OP is welcome to consider or ignore my advice as she wishes. I will not take offense either way.

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My husband graduated from Rutgers with a 3.4 gpa in communications, got his MBA from Stern about 12 years later. He was always a bit of a slacker.

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Of course UCONN is fine, but as an example, Harvard has 296 colleges represented in its MBA program so most everywhere plays fine is the point. Think about that - nearly 300 schools in its MBA programs Others are similarly diverse.

UConn doesn’t get bonus points over others was the point. Work experience, GMAT, LORs and more but top MBA is attainable from all the schools OP is considering as finalist - and many more.

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MBA entry is a funny thing. Companies, hospitals, and other employers send management people to various universities Harvard being one of them - for MBAs and other graduate programs - which the employer pays for. These employers have relationships with the grad schools. The people they send are not competing with other applicants to gain admission.

Anyone looking for an edge for MBA entry based on undergrad college is ignoring the fact that what is added to the resume after college graduation has a lot to do with grad school admission to an MBA program.

Please create a new topic to discuss MBA’s. OP has not asked about that.

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Hi all,

After some contemplation and a visit, my family and I have decided on UCLA, but we haven’t put down the deposit yet. I’m super excited to go, but the only thing I’m worried about at this point is the quantitive nature. I did quite poorly in geometry and pre-calc but did well in algebra and Calc AB (likely will get a 4/5 on the AP exam). From what I’ve heard, the curves can be tough at UCLA, and of course, there’s the competition factor to consider.

Looking at the required prerequisites, I searched up the practice tests for Calc 31A, which doesn’t seem too difficult, and actually pretty comfortable with. However, Calc 31B looks a lot tougher, and everyone I’ve spoken to has already taken Calc BC. My question is: should I be concerned that my past performance in math might hold me back at UCLA? Am I setting myself up for failure if I’m not as prepared as others, or are there resources that will help me catch up?

I’m honestly a bit intimidated because I don’t have an exceptional background like most applicants and L&S doesn’t consider major when admitting

Thanks

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They wouldn’t have accepted you if they felt you wouldn’t be successful. Congratulations!!!

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Yes, as the previous poster stated, they chose you, they believe in you. Good luck, you had great choices. Enjoy this amazing school and take advantage of the networking opportunities- get involved.

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Congratulations! And as I’ve said before, please give your parents a huge hug and a big thank you for supporting your undergrad studies at the college of your choice. That is just a fabulous gift!

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Congrats and good luck.

It is good that you are realistic and recognize you may need to start studying over the summer to address your weaknesses, or work with tutors when classes start.

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