My son was admitted to the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham and direct admitted to
the Wisconsin School of Business for fall 2024.
He is an international student and we would like him to make an informed decision.
Which one of these two schools will you recommend and why? Is Wisconsin much better choice than Fordham, or for business they can be considered peers? He wants to major in Marketing or maybe Global business
Thank you
i would say a lot of this will be environmental - huge public (city school) vs. one with access to NYC.
Then cost.
In the end, you’re likely going home - so where does your money travel farthest (or that you can afford) and then which environment does he feel most comfortable.
Good luck.
@fiftyfifty1 has a student at Fordham and can maybe help.
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Thank you ! So in termes of quality of the business school do you think they are similar?
It is my opinion that Fordham is the stronger choice largely because of its proximity to many businesses, banks, companies, etc…because of its location in NYC. And Gabelli is highly regarded.
Wisconsin is a great school, but it’s not located in a business center in the same way as Fordham.
If cost is not a barrier, I’d choose Fordham for business. My opinion.
I think for international students, NYC is also easier to travel to.
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Great options, congratulations!!
We live in the NYC area and know tons of Gabelli students that have secured great meaningful local internships.
Given the proximity to Wall Street these internships tend to often be formal, extend throughout the school year and are very hands on. This is unlike a lot of the “fluff” type internships at big name places where unfortunately the kid is doing menial work or tasks unrelated to the actual business. Gabelli kids tend to have real world credibility and contacts by the time they graduate that will help you beyond the US.
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Is one of the schools better known in your home country?
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Not really, in France the Ivys + MIT, Berkeley and Stanford are the universities everyone knows…you have so many universities!
At Gabelli you are in close proximity to all the major French financial institutions such as (NATIXIS, Soc Gen, Credit Ag and BNP) and all of the large French global corporates have significant operations. You also have the UN and diplomatic teams so a target rich environment for practical work experience.
Likelihood is your kid will have to return to France for work. Gabelli offers access to companies that are global.
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Oh that’s great to know that the internships are serious and will help him to get good connections!
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Fordham gave him a merit scholarship, which was a nice surprise…and we will cover the rest of course
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That’s terrific. NYC is a hub of all sorts of businesses. And travel can be to two or three different airports there. Very easy.
Gabelli is highly regarded here.
Wisconsin is a great school but they are different.
If your son wants to live in a major metro area (although a pricey one) NYC is a great option for him.
Madison Wisconsin will be less costly for things like off campus housing.
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The US wil be the 4th country he will live in as we have relocated for job purposes…he has only lived in big capital cities so he is a little afraid that Madison may be too small for him.
And UW too big
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Sounds like your S thinks Fordham is the better fit. So I’d go with that and never look back.
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Full disclosure: I am an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin.
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The B schools are both very good.
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I think UW is a little stronger overall academically, and probably half (maybe more) of your son’s classes won’t be in his major. UW was an original member of the AAU in 1900 and is among the top public research universities in the US. The faculty is outstanding and the curriculum helps to ensure a broad education, while still allowing the student to drill down into their major. The campus is nice, with some green spaces, lakes… and also urban concrete. The students tend to have a great deal of fun, whether socially at parties, checking out State Street and the capitol, hiking or boating on/around one of the lakes, or cheering on the Badgers. (there is a large sports scene at Wisconsin – football, basketball, and hockey games are a blast). It’s a wonderful place.
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However, as others have noted, Fordham’s location in NYC means that your son would have more practical internship opportunities in his own back yard. And NYC has many opportunities for fun and cultural enrichment, obviously.
In sum: in terms of overall education, I’d give UW the slight edge. But in terms of internships, it’s hard to beat NYC. The experience itself is the other fit variable that is important: “midwest nice” with lakes and trees and concrete (a real mix), or the more – the ultimate – urban setting of New York City? Are rah-rah sports and campus party scene important? What is the COA per annum for each?
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We also believe UWisconsin has the slight edge from an academic point of view but as you said, both business schools are very good and the internships are key. The rah rah scene is less important to him than a vibrant urban atmosphere. We wanted to make sure he makes a good decision and he prefers to attend Fordham.
Wisconsin Madison really seems like a great place and we know is the dream of a lot of applicants. But of course he needs to make a choice. And his merit scholarship at Fordham closed considerably the COA gap between both universities.
Thank you very much for your advice.
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Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday….we will attend admitted days at both UWM next week and Fordham the following week…to make 100% sure about my son’s decision
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I was thinking that Wisconsin has one of the top marketing programs, while Fordham is better known for its finance major due to proximity to NYC. So I looked it up and guess what - Wisconsin-Madison ranks No. 9 nationally for undergraduate marketing and Fordham ranks No. 10 (which I never noticed)!
Best Undergraduate Business Marketing Programs
Just another data point for your ease of mind, if you are choosing primarily based on location. Wisconsin-Madison is excellent nonetheless, the the business school itself and the university as a whole.
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Thank you!! I guess visiting is the best way for him to realize where he will be happy for the next 4 years…and yes, both universities are great for marketing…now is a matter of choising the lakes or the skyline
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Definitely visit to see fit. You didn’t mention if it was Fordham Lincoln Center or not. Regardless, Fordham will have a more diverse student population. My student applied to Fordham (but withdrew due to ED decision). I would recommend Fordham for a number of reasons - diversity, access to internships, easier to travel with multiple airports close by and connection to global companies.
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He would be at the Lincoln Center. He will benefit from the ballet/dancing classes which students from not artistic majors can register to. Ballet is one of his biggest passions.
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