Has he visited CU? It sounds like it could be the best fit based on the information you have provided. Maybe visit or revisit a couple of his finalists and then decide.
Agree with tsbna that Clemson might not fit criteria with the close to civilization comment.
He did visit CU and he really liked it. He actually asked to do a second drive through before we left the area! A revisit may be in order on the finalists - the only one we haven’t seen yet is UF and planning that for next week. It’s just the online classes that bother me. But need to get his perspective.
My struggle with CU are some of the retention and graduation stats - however he’s been accepted into honors of one of their top programs so I should probably let it go.
Thanks for your input - another visit may help finalize this!!
great points! He has a great work ethic in high school thus far, so I am confident he will put the work in.
I think the retention/graduation piece was an issue as compared to Clemson, UGA and UF - other state schools with much higher retention rates. But you do raise a good point as CU is a more expensive state school option.
Congratulations to your son these are some great accptances for an OOS student. IMO he really can’t go wrong with any of his favorites.
My suggestion would be UGA and Terry. Outside of that recent horrific tragedy you can’t beat it for a beautiful campus and a great college town. As far as school spirit goes they start barking on Thursday when there’s a home game on Saturday. Big but not Florida big. Terry has both a strong national and a top regional reputation. Overall the school is academically rigorous. Beyond that you have to apply and qualify to be accepted at Terry, you are going to be sorrounded by serious students.
You are definitely validating and articulating my inner dialog (lol!)
He was accepted “with an initial intended major of BBA Accounting (Intended), to the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry College of Business” so yes he does need to meet the academic freshman and sophomore requirements (similar to my other son who goes to TCU) but UGA does not use “subjective”/non-controllable business school admissions criteria like a UVA, UNC.
Just curious - Do you know where most UGA Terry students work internships? Atlanta? They must have to do in the summer or move there if during the school year or work remote.
I can’t speak to internships. The student I worked with at Terry is doing a remote internship with a company outside of Atlanta. Our S20 did his Junior internship for a company in Los Angeles from his apartment in Evanston Ill. A fair number of kids end up staying close to whre they graduate. The network in Georgia for a UGA graduate probably as good as it gets.
My D is an accounting major at a small southern college doing a 4 year BS/MS program with internships lined up at a mid-sized (‘24) and Big 4 (‘25) accounting firms in her home state. The accounting firms seem to hire interns from both not very prestigious schools and very prestigious colleges. I would let your child pick the college and location he likes the best.
UGA also offers the Double Dawg program - which is a way to begin a masters prior to completion of the bachelors. Because they’re so generous with AP/IB credit, many students have satisfied the first year requirements before arriving on campus- making it a 4 year program.
Some students will internship in Atlanta during the year (it’s a lousy commute, at around 90 minutes, but it’s possible). But they go all over in summer (with higher concentration in Atlanta).
Athens is the 6th largest city in the state, so there are definitely activities possible that aren’t school-centric.
My company is HQ in Atlanta (but moved there 8 or 9 years ago from the NE). Even new hires - we just hired a U of Toledo (experienced), we have people from the Southeast, West, mid western schools, etc.
My last company was first based in CA before it moved to the SE - and even there, tons of midwest and Northeast people.
Yes, many want to stay by their college - but look at where you work or even in the neighborhood you live - people end up in all places from all places. My neighborhood has so many colleges represented from so many parts of the country…you couldn’t pinpoint a commonality per se.
And today with many companies flooding handshake at tons of colleges and online / virtual hiring - I don’t put much credence into the - they’re just looking for their own or they dominate here type stuff.
Clemson, Auburn, Mississippi State, U of SC, Va Tech, etc. kids get jobs - and they’re not adjacent to large cities, etc…not to mention the Mercers or UTCs or small little private colleges whose kids are getting jobs.
Just my opinion - but I think all that is overplayed - that companies in Atlanta or only going to UGA or only hiring from UGA, etc.
That’s why it’s best, in my opinion, to find the right spot for you. There’s no assurances about careers at any school and once you start working, there’s no assurances about where you’ll ultimately end up - unless you work for a small, local place.
The world is your oyster once you get a degree and seek out opportunities. It’s all what you do with it!
Finally sat down and talked. Looks like his top 3’s - with no input from husband and I are now: 1) CU Boulder honors program 2) UGA and 3) UF
The CU pluses are liked the campus, town, solid program/strong connections, honors program acceptance and lots of things to do. And lastly “felt like I would belong there. “
UGA “like Clemson but better, less rural. Great program, good facilities, friendly, great football and food.”
Going to see UF this week so it may change the mix but the online thing is a challenge. Its reputation/rankings keep it high on the list.
A lot to think about between now and 5/1.
Thank you all for your input - really appreciate everyone!!
Grab a lunch or dinner at Bolay when you’re in Gainesville. It’s yummy!!! There’s one next to campus and one a few miles away (and that one has Menchies next to it for a great desert!!).
I may have some bias because my daughter is at U Miami, but they have scholar programs for better business students who get accepted. She is in one called Bermont Carlin. Finance jobs from that group of 25 would rival any college in the nation. Exceeded all expectations for us.
I think all of these schools have reasonably good business programs. Some are better than others depending on what you want to eventually study and your career goals. I select and advise based on which college I wanted to attend, for whatever reason. Personally, I prefer cities/suburbs to maximize business opportunities as well as colleges with stronger alumni networks. I also care about the academic competitiveness of my peers (who the school accepts) and difficulty of admissions and reputation for the university overall - not just the business program.
But we all describe civilization differently. And he obviously likes Clemson.