DS is applying to schools now as a Business major. UNH, UConn and Bentley are his top choices for a variety of reasons. Are there any big things that stand out as yes or no for one or the other? Bentley is a Business school but the other two are bigger and might have more happening on campus socially? Bentley is near Boston but really how often do students take the time away from campus and studies to go to Boston? Thank you! He has the ECs and grades to be competitive to get into all 3.
Cost may be a factor for you. UNH has a train to Boston btw.
UConn is more big time sports wise. UNH has Boston access, closer to a cool coastal town - Portsmouth. Bentley is more focused - with Brandeis, I believe, cross registration.
Does she have a major in mind, business is just an umbrella. If she changes her mind, would Bentley have another of interest?
Bentley does well career wise. UNH is the easiest in of the three. No where do they mention ECs that I can see as a need but the CDS says considered.
All three are fine. UConn not an easy admit. UNH is relatively and Bentley in the middle.
They don’t say on the website but guessing Bentley is need aware. If so, ability to pay can impact.
Three fine but different schools. So hopefully the student will feel most comfortable at one.
Good luck.
Thanks - he (for my son) is looking at Accounting as a major. He took a summer course at Bentley in accounting and liked it so is leaning that way. All 3 have that major but you are correct if he changes his mind UNH and UConn both have other options. UConn seems to have a lot available to do on campus which is a draw for him as well (basketball is too!). He is considering ED for one of the three but really needs to make sure - so hard to have these kids decide now for ED versus giving them a few more months until May to be able to make that decision. So much maturing happens during Senior year so I am just trying to look at all aspects of each school thanks
1 Like
We know quite a few accountants (including DH, now a CFO) that have done very well coming from Bentley, but as DH says, you can graduate from anywhere with an accounting degree and do pretty well.
Have him take a look at the other majors at Bentley, just in case he changes his mind. Are there at least 2 other majors that interest him?
Those schools are so different that unless he is absolutely sure, I wouldn’t have him ED.
Bentley reports that 15% of their undergrads are athletes. Which is surprising, because of the handful of kids we know that go there, 100% are student athletes. However, it does seem like that pick was made with sports involved, so maybe not the best sample to work from.
1 Like
Good note on sports. DS considered playing in college but is a bit burnt out after 15 years of playing it. However Bentley does not have club or intramural lacrosse and UConn and UNH both have active clubs. I am thinking it might be difficult for him not to at least have the chance to play at school. One reason we have not further pursued other schools is that some have a much higher % of athletes and if for the first time in his life he is not an “athlete” on campus it could be difficult. I do not think he is considering that as much as I am but maybe it will not be an issue.
1 Like
There’s not much to do around UConn. It’s in the middle of nowhere. You can visit the puppet museum in downtown Storrs or get ice cream at their dairy.
My D couldve gone to UConn for free and her quote was, “dad, please dont make me go there” because there was nothing around and she wanted an urban setting.
UConn is a really good school but not a dynamic environment.
delete
100%
1 Like
Agree that an accounting major can do well from any of the schools being considered. Each one of the colleges on your list has distinct attributes which are noted above.
I imagine the Big 4 accounting firms recruit out of all of the schools on his list, but your son always confirm this with career services.
Your answer as to the best fit will come down to affordability and personal preference. Only your son and your family can/should answer this. FWIW we liked Bentley but S ultimately decided he didn’t want such a business focused college – for others having that focus could be a positive.
Do keep in mind that to become a CPA one needs 150 college credits – some can reach this mark through AP courses, overloading, summer courses, etc. but many do go on for a one year Masters in accounting so factor that into your cost calculations.
2 Likes
Biased view, but Bentley is the 800lb gorilla in Boston for accounting. Less about hanging out in Boston on the weekends than fast track to Big 4.
Signed, former Boston Big 4 Advisory (Consulting; not Tax or Audit) Partner.
2 Likes
Thanks - another child went to Isenberg and is now at a Big 4 (he is Tax - just out and 25% of the way through his CPA exams so not partner quite yet!). He helps recruit interns and Bentley is one of the schools they obviously recruit from. Good to hear though another “insider’s” info.
My DS is pretty committed to accounting - BUT next to that it is mainly all Business focus - entrepreneur major perhaps instead as he has done some things that would lean into that and would love to own his own business(es). Yes thank you on that CPA - another child is in the middle of studying for that exam (the 4 of them) so it is really getting those credits and degree and then a lot of studying for the CPA.. Having two other kids having to study for the NCLEX (Nursing) it seems like the extra work after getting that degree is even tougher!
1 Like
Yes this - although AI is going to be an interesting wrench to add into this mix after listening to some of the Big 4 bigwigs talking about it and cutting jobs!
Yep, we don’t know about AI and things but there is so much regulatory stuff, I have to think accounting is safe.
I was surprised that my nephew, who went to UNLV and did online stuff, they had big 4 recruiting.
I think one is ok from most places.
I guess back to your concerns - ED is a great tool if you 100% know you want a school and are willing to pay. But otherwise, it’s dangerous - because you have to be somewhere four years, day after day, and you don’t want to be forced into it.
So if there’s no assuredness, I’d never bind myself.
1 Like
UConn Business is not direct admit for all students out of high school. If a student is not direct admit either to the Business School or to the Accounting major specifically, internal admission can be quite competitive. A second point about UConn is that it is a large campus and the logistics to get from dorm to class can be challenging, especially in inclement weather. They have campus buses, but depending on which dorm a student finds himself in, it can still be a challenge. I think that a campus visit is a must.
Academically I don’t see UNH as being in the same class as the other two although your son could be quite happy there. Bentley is an excellent business school and I would start there unless one of the other two has real appeal to him. It has a shuttle system which gets you around town, or to Harvard Square, it to Waverley Square in Belmont - all in addition to the excellent public transportation system in and around Boston. Bentley also has cross registration with Brandeis, which is across town and can thereby expand student interactions beyond the Bentley campus itself, with the combined student population essentially doubling the population of just Bentley alone. This is important because the Bentley campus is heavily male (about 60:40) while Brandeis is the opposite (almost 40:60).
2 Likes
Thanks - Big 4 recruiting sometimes depends on where upper mangement went to school. Without casting shade on a specific school, I am aware of a smaller school with about 80% acceptance rate (and is still accepting students for this fall) that has an upper management alumnus who sends recruiters there.
Thank you! Yes that female to male ratio is something to consider! That aside we have visited UConn several times and liked the idea of a big campus with a lot going on. However the business school tour guide did not mention that it is not direct admit to the business school so we will have to look into that further - thanks for the heads up about that.
No idea what the story is at UConn but check for direct admission to the b-school and also if there is any type of secondary admission to majors of interest.