NW Vs Mich Vx Colgate Vs Brown--Business

Parents Forum
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<p>I’m working with a young woman who is planning on a career in business and has been accepted to all these schools. She is feeling pressured by her mother to go to NW primarily due to the prestige involved. Says she’s interested in business, although tells me she’s not 100% sure and her mom chose the field for her. A strong math student; achieves in math without trying. Has no background in business, hasn’t taken a business/econ class in h.s. or done any shadowing in the business world. She’s in at Brown, but doesn’t really like it and has basically stricken it from her list. Tells me she wants to make a lot of money and “be successful”. Mom is pushing the NW math in the social sciences program, although she has not been admitted into that program as a freshman, nor is she admitted into the Ross school at UM. She would probably major in econ; maybe the special math/SS program at NW. </p>

<p>Mother seems to be the driving force; a very pushy, nervouse and anxious type who seems to be passing anxiety onto her daughter. I mention the mother because this girl might not be a good fit for the business world and may later find the strength to choose another route. Her request to me is that I help decide which school is her best choice. She will have visited all her choices within the next week and has done most of the admitted student days, but still doesn’t really have a front-runner. I’m wondering what the objective thoughts are on this board. </p>

<p>Another point, she might be able to participate in her sport at the two DIII schools, but isn’t convinced that she wants to do that, just a possibility. Sports have really been her only EC in h.s. Spent most of her efforts on class rank, GPA, etc. No interest in community service. Family has money</p>

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<p>I just wanted to point out that all four of those schools have D1 athletics (I assume you were referring to Brown & Colgate as “the two DIII schools”). While the Ivy League and Patriot League aren’t the Big Ten, their athletics aren’t exactly chopped liver either, especially in the so-called olympic sports. So if she hasn’t been recruited by Brown or Colgate, the athletics may be on a higher level than she expects.</p>

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<p>Absolutely right, Art, all 4 are DI schools. She has been in contact with Colgate coach, but not a recruited athlete.</p>

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<p>I think that academically, a pre-business type would be well-served at any of the three schools. (No business school proper at either Colgate or Northwestern, though.) I also think the differences in perceived prestige are marginal. </p>

<p>Perhaps she should focus on the type of campus she prefers. The three are very different: Colgate is on a geographically isolated, physically stunning campus. NW is in a hip suburb of Chicago, with easy access to the city. Ann Arbor is the archetypic college town.</p>

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<p>Sounds like she should go somewhere as far away as possible from the mother…the girl needs to develop on her own.</p>

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<p>Which school is the longest distance away from her mom?! :wink: In all seriousness, wjb’s advice is spot on, I think. We are talking about three very different environments, and fit should be more of a driving force than marginal differences in academics/prestige. </p>

<p>Also, not sure how much you know about Michigan’s b-school, but they have only had a “pre-admit” program for a year or two now. The program is 3 years, and most still apply to Ross and are admitted during freshman year. The “pre-admit” is like an honors program without having to go thru that application process (I think they may take a few biz classes freshman year as well).</p>