Hi all, this is my first thread here on CC.
I would like to major with a BS in finance, but it can be difficult to get good information online as all of the business schools are crowded with their BBA and MBA programs on their websites. I plan on attending Washtenaw Community College in the fall of this year, (I am a current HS Senior). There I will get prerequisites done, that also transfer to all of my schools of choice. I will spent at least one year there, (two semesters) but preferably get an Associate’s degree. I’ve met with a counselor already, and he told me that the school (WCC) doesn’t offer a finance major; (not surprising) but that the first two years of business study aren’t as niche based. I’m really just concerned that I may not take enough finance classes during my college years. I’m interested in a BBA, possibly as a double major, but I really don’t think I need it for my career choice, although a minor would be great especially on a resume. I plan on doing Financial Analysis/Networking for the airline industry. Otherwise studying finance would be irrelevant for me without some sort of career goal. 
I’ve limited my schools of choice to these schools:
Eastern Michigan Up to 82 credits transfer, 2.5 years at WCC
UVM Dearborn Up to 62 credits transfer 2 years at WCC
Wayne State up to 62 credits transfer 2 years at WCC
UVM Ann Arbor Ross Business School (Unlikely option, but a slim chance, also pretty expensive compared to the choices above) Up to 28-30 credits transfer, 1 year at WCC, more info below on how to get in from a CC to Ross; (its like one in a blue moon, but there’s a very sliiimmmmm chance)
Eastern Michigan, UVM Dearborn, and Wayne all have dedicated Finance programs for undergrads. Ross I think has one for post graduate but I haven’t really found anything for a Bachelor’s… Speaking of Ross they except 25 students from Community Colleges from across the country. (Rumors have it that this number may double soon). I’m not sure of all the requirements besides having a high college GPA as a freshman, and completing level 7 (Calculus) math course during your time at a Community College. I’m not sure if they look at your high school grades too hard, should I show them? I’m currently taking Precalc at my high school (level 6 math). I’m on pace finishing high school with a 3.6 GPA but a very low 1040 SAT score. Why you may ask? I worked like 20+ hours a week, I just moved into a new house the WEEK of the test, and I couldn’t think about that test. Should I retake it, even if I’m going to WCC? If I go to UVM Dearborn after one or two years of WCC, my chances of getting into Ross are much greater, but it wouldn’t make sense, only for a Master’s. Oh, but UVM Ann Arbor is closer to my home as a side note. So, I’m not really sure which school has the best programs, but I’m in the process of emailing every single college about them.
So as a summary:
Attending WCC for 1-2.5 years
I would prefer a BS in Business Finance and a minor in Administration.
Undecided about these schools for college after WCC.
What classes are best?
Should I retake SAT? Average SAT score at Ross is a 1480, which is crazy but I don’t know their required score, as well as a 3.89 high school GPA.
What do you guys think, and I will take any criticism and advice as I don’t know everything, and that’s why I’m here!
I can also answer more questions, this introduction is long enough IMO.
Presumably you are from the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area. I’d set my sights high and try for Ross admission, or even studying econ at UM over EMU , UMD or WS. The main reason is that career placement and job networking is a lot better than at the other schools. Either way, Washtenaw is an excellent interim step. Do well and you have a very good change of UM admission.
You should retake the SAT.
Thank you. I have to do more research but, does Ross have a good undergrad finance program? Also what SAT score should I shoot for?
Try for the Ross average. It won’t matter as much if your grades are good at Washtenaw, but it may still be a data point. The transfer office will want to know that you are capable of handling UM level classes, a good SAT score will indicate that to them.
I would also pick Washtenaw classes that transfer credit - check with the admissions office on that too. Some don’t.
You may want to carefully consider finances too. Run the NPC for each of the universities. See if you receive any financial aid. UM tuition is around $15K per year, and you can only borrow $5500-$7500, so you may want to take the full federal loan amount during your time at Washtenaw to build up a cash cushion.
I talked with a counselor yesterday at WCC
Here’s the low down of getting into Ross:
Must take Level 7 Math or higher, which is Calculus. Here’s the good news, I’m in precalculus and I will take an assessement during
the summer so that I can get into Calc I at WCC.
I would take Comp I, that transfers. I then would take some prerequisites that transfer, he told me that some do.
Here’s what DOESN’T transfer:
All accounting classes
All Econ classses AKA Econ I+II.
Intro to Business
Business Law
I have to talk to him again soon about the classe I can take, but I do have some idea.
I will retake the SAT, and I’ll be satisfied once I get at least a 1350, but I want to impress them.
Official: I’m going to WCC this fall.
Here are my questions now:
What SAT score should I aim for besides the obvious answer (the best)
Would going to UVM Dearborn for 1 year be a
Better option? (After WCC)
Does Ross have a dedicated undergrad Finance major?
And is it really only 15K per year? I thought that in state credits costed around 1,900 EACH!
If it’s 15K/year I have some money saved up, and I may be able to afford half/most of it without dealing with too many student loans. I’m smart with my money, I don’t waste it like ever.
Ross has an excellent undergrad finance program. Solid grads end up at top Wall Street and Chicago financial/IB firms.
Ross is among the top 5 business school in the country and is super competitive. Also, how is your EC? For Ross pre-admit, you need to be first accepted by UMich. Then your application will be evaluated by Ross with somewhat different criteria. Ross has higher tuition rate than most other schools in UMich starting sophomore year. It is much more than $15k. The in state CoA is $28k-32k. The good news is they meet the need of all in state students and free tuition for students from family with less than $65k income. Admission average from in state is around 32/1400/3.85+ and the in state admission rate is around 45%. Your current HS stat is not possible to be admitted. If by transfer, you need to first transfer into UMich and then apply again to transfer into Ross. There are very limited seats open for the sophomore transfer since they switched to mostly freshmen pre-admit last year. Even if you get in, you will start from sophomore again. Basically, just forget about Ross.
Yes, I thought it was more! It’s like 1,900/credit hour!
Ross accepts 25 students from Community Colleges every year.
The time at a CC isn’t wasted though, you just have to take the right and EXACT classes they want.
I know my HS stat isn’t worthy.
Current tuition is around $16K for underclassmen, and $20K for upperclassmen at Ross. It is $15K/16.5K for LS&A. You have to add books and supplies, and living expenses. Obviously, living at home would cost less and commuting is free on AATA with an MCard.
What would be my chances of getting in if I have food EC’s, a good GPA at WCC?
I will graduate HS with a 3.6 (i’m on path) and I will retake my SAT until I will honestly get a 1400. I will not retake the SAT until after HS. I will start studying now, and will take a test in August. Please remember that I am a current Senior, not Junior. Ross accepts 25 students per year from community colleges.
And how much does it cost per credit hour? I thought it was way more expensive!!!
Ross does not have “majors.” Everyone majors in business and gets a BBA. You can’t major in finance, although you can take as many finance courses as you can fit into your schedule. Look at the Ross website to see the required courses. Before getting excited about the name “Ross” you should check to see if you really would want to take the courses they require. Most of them would NOT be in finance. Also, there’s a lot of writing in Ross. It’s not all numbers.
You don’t pay by the credit unless you are going part time. Look at the website for information on tuition and fees. If you are a Michigan resident, it is a good deal. Keep in mind that Ross is a three-year program.
Forget about how many students they take from WCC in the past. The Ross admission policy has been changed last year and there are a lot less transfer accepted now.
On the other hand, I am deeply surprise if Ross accept 25 from WCC per year considering a class size of ~500. Also, only around 120 were transferred into UMAA from WCC each year.
“On the other hand, I am deeply surprise if Ross accept 25 from WCC per year considering a class size of ~500.”
“Ross accepts 25 students per year from community colleges.”
Where is that statement from (they accept 25/yr from community colleges)? would be surprised if that were still the case, it it ever were. Most students are admitted during their sr. year in HS. After those admittances, there are only about 100 spots left, including students ALREADY in U of M and other transfers.
I thought he meant 25/year from WCC. But for all community colleges in the country, it is more reasonable until last year. I know quite a few transfer students from the same CC in Boston area and some did apply to Ross the year after their transfer. Nevertheless, they admitted ~400 sophomores per year at that time. Again, it takes 3 more years to graduate after entering Ross.
It’s on their website. Class size is 625. 500 accepted from high schools, 100 from UVM, (not sure if it includes Dearborn or Flint) and 25 from community colleges from across the country, not only WCC. It is a little more likely for me to get in though, becuase WCC actually has an articulation agreement with Ross, although only a handful of students (or less) transfer from WCC to Ross. I also talked to a counselor at WCC about it this week, he showed me on his computer.
Hey, if any of you read my introduction, you will find out that I REALLY care more about Finance vs a BBA. I want to be a financial analyst for an airline in the aviation industry, and a finance degree is more important. I want a BS in finance, with a minor in administration. I may plan on going to Germany for a Master’s in Aviation Management, I have connections there. So is Ross a joke now?
Out of these three which are the best Finance schools? Do you guys know?
Eastern
UVM Dearborn
UVM Flint (I was advised not to go here for Finance by the counselor)
Wayne Staye
I would like to stay within the Metro Detroit/Flint area.
First of all, UVM is the University of Vermont. Don’t use that abbreviation on your application to University of Michigan. Second, as I said upthread, you cannot get a “BS in finance with a minor in administration” from Ross.
Yes I see that now. You must get a BBA. From what I’m hearing now, I cannot even get an undergrad finance degree at Ross) This is bad becuse of my career choice. Airlines want you to have a BS/BA in Finance, and would like to see a either a minor or major in administration or even IT. So would going to Ross not even make sense? Becuse to me it may seem irrevelavant if I want to do a Master’s in aviation analytics and management in Germany. Trust me, I think this is better than doing a Masters at UM I have had a passion for airplanes my entire life, and I have had a successful YouTube channel in the past on it. (I just wrote that last part because I’m doing finance as my choice, but not like most people who don’t really look at too many options after college for niche careers which may be fine but not for me)