S24 business major has narrowed acceptances to University of Miami (no merit), CU Boulder (merit with business honors program), University of Georgia (no merit), University of Floria (no merit) and Clemson (merit but no amount yet). Financial Aid not concern. Thinking CU and Clemson are his front runners, but grappling if should pursue UGA or UF or Miami (to lesser extent). Also accepted to IU Kelley (honors), Fairfield (honors) and Fordham but he seems less interested.
Thoughts from experienced parents?
What major, career goals, and where would he like to live post-grad? (knowing those things may each change 10 times between now and when he graduates!)
Thanks! I’ll add more detail to the original post.
1 Like
Great admits…my D applied to or looked at many of these same schools. IU likely has the best reputation for business of the group but it sounds like he has ruled it out along with Fordham.
Miami, CU (with honors), UGA and UF all have good business schools…I know less about Clemson for business.
If cost is not a factor, he should consider picking based on how he feels about each school fit overall. May want to consider geographic location for internships and first job out of school. He should be able to go anywhere from most of these schools but many kids end up in their school’s region.
Kelley would maximize his career options, if that is a factor.
2 Likes
Thanks so much for the input - great insight geographic location for internships and first jobs. Will definitely add that to his list of things to think about!
Agree - fit is the major factor!
Thank you!!
Totally agree on the IU career options.
I think he’s having a hard time getting past the geography of IU - he prefers I95 Corridor and Colorado has some appeal as closer to some family and has in his eyes “things to do”.
Thanks!!
2 Likes
Ironically, to maximize I95 career options, IU is the best, particularly the honors plan there. As a top ranked national school, it places well in NYC, Boston, And DC.
1 Like
Thank you! Will definitely suggest more consideration!!
I also would let him choose based on his set of priorities.
A few thoughts (and agree with what posters have said so far):
Does he have direct admit to the business school and/or his desired major (where that’s a thing)?
At UF…I would look to see how many core business courses are online only. Some reports that its more than some students would like, so something to possibly check out
At Fordham and Miami it’s easy to have major related jobs/internships during the school year, so not (generally) limited to summer internships. Something to think about too.
He also might look at how competitive the various business clubs are to get into (especially the ones in his desired areas), and what type of programming the schools have through the business career center (and is said programming accessible to all business students)
2 Likes
I think all work fine - assuming he just wants a “typical” entry job - if it’s marketing, supply chain, MIS, sales, etc.
Yes, some schools outperform others by the #s, but you are only getting one job.
And you can get internships and jobs today anywhere - via posts on handshake, indeed, and linkedin.
So if he truly loves CU (fine b school) and Clemson - and he’s not looking for a 1% like career, I don’t think he’s really disadvantaged vs. an IU, UGA, or UF…or not to some level that I’d go to somewhere that didn’t interest me.
And more importantly he’s at a place he wants to be for four years, day after day after day.
Great acceptances.
Best of luck to him.
1 Like
What area of business interests him? If it is accounting, it may not matter so much where he attends; the big 4 hire from them all. If it is IB/ consulting, it would matter a great deal. Perhaps he likes marketing or real estate or supply chain. It matters.
1 Like
Great insight! Thanks so much - school year internships a consideration for sure.
The competitive business club culture is also a consideration - he’s going to have to stretch his comfort zone on that as he’s mostly been a sports kid versus a club kid.
1 Like
Great insight - for now its Accounting. Guess want him to be at a place that has more options in case he choses to change direction.
Thanks so much for insight - he’s thinking accounting with a 5th year option/public accounting route - so not a 1% career.
Being where he wants to be for 4 years is important!
Thank you!!
1 Like
If he sticks with accounting, any of these schools will have fine placement and as long as he is good about networking and such he can end up in any geography.
So, back to letting him choose the school based on vibe and where he wants to spend 4-5 years (5th year to sit for CPA exam required in most places @happy1 @Mjkacmom , is that right?)
I wouldn’t worry about competitive accounting clubs (because I don’t think that’s a thing 
)
1 Like
Pretty sure 5th year is required to sit for CPA exam - but more importantly, firms won’t permanently hire without 5th year.
1 Like
Accounting has lots of flexibility…any of the options will be fine which goes back to picking school based on overall fit and with potentially consideration to geographic preference for internships and potential first job out of school.
It sounds like he likes CU and Clemson the most?
1 Like
CU and Clemson is where I THINK he’s at, but I think he’s struggling with a final decision. Sitting down today to process his options now that all decisions are in.
I tried to update the post but it did not go through -
He has said his priorities are: "close to civilization, not too small, more stuff to do than bars/frats, entertaining college or professional sports, good food, high quality of student life and reputable academics.
He wants to major in accounting with the 5th year option intending to go the public accounting route.
With regard to location, he was planning anywhere along the 95 corridor but put Colorado in as he’s always enjoyed touring the national parks out west and we have some family members out there.
1 Like