<p>I got into UPenn as well as like Berkeley, Duke, Dartmouth etc., but the only really “top”
school I loved was UPenn/Wharton. I also got into Southern Methodist and received the Hunt Scholarship, BBA Scholars and into their 5-year MSA program to graduate with a masters in accounting in 5 years. After my financial aid package from UPenn and SMU, they are both extremely affordable without loans but I can’t figure out what to do!? I have family in Dallas and a brother actually at SMU so it’s obviously an easier transition but I am trying to focus more on potential work and income. The only reason SMU really has me considering them is their Hunt Scholarship covers TWO STUDY ABROAD TRIPS wherever i’d like to go (including Cambridge, Oxford, etc.,) and even pays for housing and travel expenses! Also it would cost me only like 3k to attend SMU after all the scholarships I racked up. UPenn is a little over twice that but still very affordable. The UPenn/Wharton name I know has a lot of influence, but is it worth passing up a free Master and double study abroad ventures? I also wouldn’t want to live permanently on the east coast, and I noticed a high matriculation rate between Wharton and Wall Street haha, I’d prefer probably Palo Alto area or Silicon Valley (No. Cal). I was waitlisted at Stanford which makes this decision even harder!! What do you guys think… go with the IVY or go with the instant benefits? I loved the UPenn campus, but being from the south I just really wanted a car haha but thats really my only complaint. I loved SMU’s campus, so southern and nice but not as intellectually stimulating.</p>
<p>What should I choose?</p>
<p>Is this even a question?? UPenn 110%</p>
<p>Wharton Undergrad also places fairly well in California. About 50 graduating seniors get jobs there every year. Check out the last 6 years of Wharton Undergrad Career Plans Survey Reports:</p>
<p>[Career</a> Services, University of Pennsylvania](<a href=“http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/undergrad/reports.html]Career”>http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/undergrad/reports.html)</p>
<p>Also, Wharton has an actual physical presence in Northern California through its San Francisco MBA program, further evidencing that the Wharton name is well known in that part of the world (as it is throughout the world :)):</p>
<p>[Wharton</a> San Francisco | University of Pennsylvania](<a href=“http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/sanfrancisco/]Wharton”>http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/sanfrancisco/)</p>
<p>Wharton. The name will carry and if you’re really looking for the master, you can do a 5 year Undergrad + MBA program, but so many undergrads get such good jobs they usually dont need the mba.</p>
<p>Also the study abroad is killer for me, and after visiting wharton while their study abroad is doable, it seems a lot more limited… I know starting salary from SMU MSA and WHARTON UNDERGRAD a slightly different with SMU’s at about 85k and WHARTON at about 70k with a varying signing bonus… </p>
<p>any thoughts? Also SMU would be an easier degree and my resume would be able to be stacked with various travel abroad excursions. I really want to study Advertising as well, and SMU offers and actual Advertising degree through their Meadows school, while UPenn only will have marketing and there is a huge difference in the two, to me. If i go to UPenn I will graduate with a BSE with a double concentration in Finance and Real Estate. If i go to SMU I will graduate with an MSA and a major in advertising.</p>
<p>^ Bottom line (in a rough, broad-brush kind of way): to the extent the name on your college diploma will open doors, SMU will do that in the Texas region, and not much beyond that (being viewed as the same as any number of other schools around the country). The Wharton name will open doors around the country, and around the world. Plus, the academic caliber of the students at Wharton will be significantly higher than those at SMU. And the Wharton alumni network has a much greater national and international presence than does that of SMU. They really are in completely different leagues. And if your intent is to pursue a career outside of Texas, there just is no comparison in terms of their national and international reputations.</p>
<p>And remember, Wharton has the largest, most published, and most cited business school faculty in the world. And it excels in a wide variety of subjects, including Marketing (for which it generally is ranked among the top 2 schools in the country, and which includes Advertising among its subtopics):</p>
<p>[Best</a> Marketing Programs | Top Business Schools | US News Best Graduate Schools](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/marketing-rankings?int=9baa7c]Best”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/marketing-rankings?int=9baa7c)</p>
<p>And Wharton DOES devote significant academic resources to the field of Advertising–for example:</p>
<p>[Wharton</a> Future of Advertising Program](<a href=“http://wfoa.wharton.upenn.edu/]Wharton”>http://wfoa.wharton.upenn.edu/)</p>
<p>Obviously, if you’re hardworking and talented, an SMU degree (or degrees) will allow you to go very far in your career, as a degree from any respectable school can do. But if you want a school that will give you an extra push in terms of its reputation and academics in ANY field of business–including Advertising–and will do that around the country and around the world, then Wharton is the clear choice. It’s really that simple.</p>
<p>And also keep in mind that you would be taking a significant number of liberal arts courses as a Wharton undergrad, and many–if not most–of Penn’s liberal arts departments are among the top 10 or top 20 in the nation, again in a completely different league than SMU.</p>
<p>You are comparing apples to oranges. I wouldn’t diminish the education you’d get at SMU but Wharton is the gold standard in business. </p>
<p>You will either go there or you won’t.</p>
<p>I suppose so. I understand the benefits of a Wharton degree just will be a much harder transition for me, and much further away and extremely different than the small southern town I’m use too. I suppose its worth it though seeing that I will be able to further myself in my career for the long haul, and i know that the Wharton name will allow me to gain internships and interviews just based upon the name itself. It is a once in a life time opportunity, but I just really place a lot of emphasis on study abroad as without the SMU scholarship I couldn’t study abroad as the fees are too great. And affordability is key as well, while Wharton is still extremely affordable it may still be a struggle but i presume it’s worth it? I loved the Penn campus when I visited and even found a potential roommate, but I had almost the same experience at SMU’s Hunt Scholars Weekend where I met older Hunt Scholars that turned down ivy’s which makes me really consider how important that scholars program is</p>
<p>I am a huge supporter of SMU with a kid there now, but even I have to agree that Wharton will get you further on reputation alone. However, I do know a student at SMU who passed up Wharton this very same reason, and has never looked back. You seem to be looking for permission to do this as well. College is not just about jobs. It’s an experience you get once Ina lifetime and travel abroad can be an amazing part of that. UPenn will earn you a great degree and a high power job wherever you want. You can’t go wrong there. But if it’s a full experience you want and Wall Street isn’t your ambition, then the SMU option is very attractive. I can tell you that SMU kids have great jobs both in and out of Texas. You might have to work a bit harder to get in the door, but you won’t be left jobless, I assure you. The owner of my company is from SMU advertising and we hire SMU grads all across the country. The alum network is huge. I think it comes down to reputation versus experience. Which one is ultimately more important to you?</p>
<p>I want to look back on my college decision and not feel like i missed out. SMU is a very fun, inviting place full of vibrant students who seem to focus more on social endeavors than scholarly activity to put it mildly but I do know that there are many intelligent kids at SMU and many of them Hunt Scholars, so I know the network I’d have there would be top notch. With a brother currently there now, I’ve been on campus so many times I feel like a student and I truly understand what SMU is about. I know its not as academically rigorous as UPenn in any way or does it have the prestige but the faculty is very inviting and I’ve received so many phone calls from them since my application date I can tell they are really vouching for me.</p>
<p>UPenn has such a scholarly air about it, I love it and I know that going that I can’t not be successful. Every kid at UPenn is accomplished (or has a very establish parent lol), and I respect that. UPenn is full of history and intellect which is amazing honestly, but it being in the north-east the mentality of the people is a bit different. The faculty was not quite as open to me as a prospective and frequently “pointed me to the correct office that deals with p-frosh”. While at SMU no what what office or teacher I ran into they went out of their way to answer any and all questions. </p>
<p>They are so different but so similar to me. SMU has nicer facilities all around being that it was founded in 1911 but UPenn’s facilities are nothing to be scoffed at and are so historic you have to respect them. There is, however, downside with the students at both as SMU students tend to be unnecessarily wealthy and love to show it, and at UPenn they pride themselves on how smart they are and will absolutely make it known… but either way i understand the area and the situation and dismiss the demeanor of the more arrogant students at each of the respective campuses. I love the idea of having a guaranteed job post graduation, love the expected starting salary at UPenn… I just love the guaranteed Study Abroad at SMU, the relaxed southern city of Dallas but the strength of the degree (or lack there of) worries me. </p>
<p>I am confused, but I feel drawn to the IVY. I readily turned down Berkeley, Yale, Duke, Dartmouth because as soon as I walked on campus I knew it wasn’t for me and not where I wanted to study. But at UPenn and SMU I can see myself calling both of them home and being a proud student at either institution.</p>
<p>Remember when you apply for a job, you will not make more because you are from UPenn. I have several entry level advertising jobs to fill right now, and the salary is set. What will more likely happen is you will be reviewed for higher paying entry level jobs IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT FINANCE OR BUSINESS. In marketing/advertising and other industries, the pay is the pay no matter where you went to school. A UPenn degree will impress people your entire life and may open doors that would otherwise be closed. The SMU dual program will give you amazing life experience and a job sooner. UPenn is scholarly; SMU is fun and can be scholarly if you choose to make it so as my son does. ultimately, it comes down to which is more important to you? A well-rounded more mid-tier program where you’ll get a mix of travel, fun and academics or a rigorous academic program with a prestigious (i hate that word) degree? I’m not sure you can go wrong given the low cost? Let us know what you decide!</p>
<p>In all honesty, you sound like someone who–at a young age–already has a lot of insight and will do well wherever you go, so be confident in that.</p>
<p>But keep in mind that at Wharton/Penn, you’ll be exposed to a much greater diversity of people–in terms of both geographic and socio-economic background–than you will at SMU. And the transition from a small southern town to the large northeast metropolis of Philadelphia–with its easy, cheap ($10 or less by Bolt Bus or Megabus), and quick (90 minutes to 2 hours) access to New York City and Washington, D.C.–can further expand your horizons in ways that SMU and Dallas simply can’t.</p>
<p>However, it’s clear that you’ll do well with either choice, so my final recommendation is that you carefully consider all of the relevant factors–which you obviously are doing–and go with your (well informed) gut instinct. You really can’t go wrong!</p>
<p>Good luck, and congratulations!</p>
<p>You gotta go with your gut. One aspect of business you have to get used to is making decisions. Who to hire, fire, risks vs rewards, etc. </p>
<p>What do you want 5-10-20 years from now and who can help you get there the most? </p>
<p>Will you remain in a small, country town all your life? Do you expect to ever live in a major metro area or to travel the world?</p>
<p>Why study abroad and not want to leave your small town life?</p>
<p>I agree that you are confused. You have inconsistent and contradictory goals. That’s not abnormal. Many of us do. But now you have to choose what is most important to you and who gives you the best chance of obtaining it?</p>
<p>Ps- my SMU cox BBA Honors son has a fully paid internship on Wall Street this summer alongside Wharton kids. Just letting you know it’s not what you know or where you go, it’s who you know. All of his amazing internships have come from Wall Street and Fortune 500 CEOs whose kids go to SMU! I’m not advocating one school over the other, just pouring out that sometimes, those “wealthy” kids come in handy!</p>
<p>Another thought. </p>
<p>I had a friend with a Maserati. An amazing car!!! He never asked me to drive it but it doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t have driven it. It felt like too much power. It could do anything at incredible speeds and sensitive handling. I guess there was a fear of losing control. </p>
<p>I could drive a Mustang or Corvette comfortably and still get most places I’d want to go fast, with style and power.</p>
<p>That sounds like the decision you are making. Take the keys to the Maserati or drive something else that’s powerful and fast.</p>
<p>You have a couple good options. I wish I had a Maserati now though. Not because I need it. But because most people don’t get the opportunity to drive one everyday. Take it when you can or never look back with regret.</p>
<p>Its not the moving from a small town that bothers me, but I am not from a “town” my city is more a smaller city. My point was that every city outside the east coast is established differently. Less dependent on public transportation, as in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, etc., as they were founded later and over more space. In Dallas, Houston, LA, Atlanta, San Francisco you can optionally live outside the city and drive in and out of it via private transportation. I lived in New York City last summer for four weeks and I hated not having my own car and being on my own time, while traffic may be bad… personal space is precious haha! But I’d never base a college decision on a car, or apartment size or central air condition, or any amenities of life… just was an observation.</p>
<p>I want to see the world and travel abroad, but standard of living abroad doesn’t have to correlate to standard of living where I am actually living back home, just saying. </p>
<p>At the end of the day college is a business, and both of these universities are offering me similar packages with a difference in presentation. UPenn is pushing their reputation and IVY League status as SMU attempts to throw out programs and scholars to combat its lack prestige and make it more competitive. I love both Universities, I guess I’ll just have to sit back and think about my options. I’ve spoken to many SMU Hunts who have had internships at FOX in LONDON, Goldman Sachs in NY, Deloitte, etc., and a slew of UPenn students obviously interning in and around Wall Street as well as abroad. </p>
<p>I only want to study Advertising as I love it, it would be more of just a “for-fun degree” to have. I want to go into Finance or Accounting, I just run a graphic design company right now and I handle the creation of various Advertisements for a few of my clients and I love Advertising and want to further my knowledge of it.</p>
<p>Finance or Accounting, then hands down you need to choose Wharton. (Says this SMU mom sadly)</p>
<p>From a SOLELY career-oriented perspective, Wharton is hands down the obvious choice. Reading your posts, however, it seems obvious to me that you really love this Southern Methodist University and want to go there for various personal reasons. I feel like you are mostly just using this thread to justify this decision although it is obviously detrimental to your future career. At the end of the day, though, life isn’t just about your career. Go wherever makes you happy.</p>
<p>Amen to that!! Be happy and everything will work out just fine.</p>
<p>hey, could u answer to my thread, by sayin that i need to get extracurricular and i should get 75% acceptance. need to prove to my friend, and since u r a senior member, he will believe in it</p>