My studies/career goals: I want to study finance as my major in college for sure. At the moment I plan on doing finance for 4 years of undergraduate, go to an MBB Consulting Firm, eventually a MIT Sloan, Stanford, or HBS for my MBA, and finally end up in Venture Capital in Boston, LA, or the Bay Area. In addition to finance, I would like to do a minor in computer science or cognitive science for professional reasons, and fashion design or food science for personal reasons.
Finances: I did file for financial aid everywhere I applied and unfortunately was not rewarded any need based aid. I received some merit scholarships, but no full rides. My family is on the higher side of income, so I wasn’t expecting much anyways. I have a couple outside scholarships totaling $5500. I live in Florida, so I also have the highest level of Bright Futures and Florida Prepaid.
Campus and Social Life: I am a more social guy for sure. I like doing things out a lot and talking with people. It’s difficult for this category cause I find myself attracted to not the frat, football, and going out lifestyle of a large public school, but also the going out to eat and longer more relaxed conversations found at my academically focused private schools. I am definitely looking for a traditional campus with lectures halls, courtyards, and nice looking buildings.
People: Of course coming from Florida, I will already know I lot of people going to Florida and Florida State, which is nice having a preset group of people I like/can room with, however the opportunity to reinvent myself somewhere new is appealing.
Location: I am definitely a city guy, but college towns are interesting to me too if they have some of the resources I am looking for. I like art, exploring, cooking, and restaurants. Music, concerts, clubs, and festivals would be a nice bonus. I live in a pretty warm climate, so I know the cold might be a tough transition. Most importantly I would like the opportunity to do internships in a reasonable distance from my campus in my related business fields.
Study Abroad: I know nowadays it seems as though everyone has the same study abroad opportunities, but just to say it, I am particularly interested in Zurich, Singapore, Oxford, Japan, and South Africa.
The Overall Question in my mind: At which of my options will I find academic and career opportunities to reach my high goals while providing me with a strong social balance at a price that is easy to pay off now or could help me easily pay it off in the future with it’s opportunities?
With that being said, my options are as followed:
- The University of Chicago - 45k over 4 years.
- Georgetown University- No Scholarship
- Northwestern University- No Scholarship
- Northeastern University Honors Program - 35k a year
- University of Florida - No Scholarship (But is basically free with bright futures and prepaid).
- Florida State Honors Program - 10k over 4 years (Basically free with bright futures and prepaid).
- Fordham- Full Tuition Scholarship
- University of South Carolina Honors Program - Instate tuition reduction + 8k a year.