WashU vs CMU

dotsondots
Sun, 27 Apr 2014 18:39:59 +0000

Hey everyone!

I’ve got only a few days left to make a decision between Carnegie Mellon and Washington University in St. Louis. Yes, many would consider them to be very, very different schools, but nonetheless, it’s been hard to make a decision between the two!

So, I’ve been accepted to the Information Systems program at CMU, and if I went to CMU, that’s what I would do. I’ve heard REALLY great things about the program, and that many top companies heavily recruit from the program, which makes it very attractive to me. I want to enter the workforce when I graduate, and want to get an MBA later on after a few years of work experience. I don’t have a very specific area of interest, but hopefully something along the lines of marketing/consulting/business or financial analyst. Information Systems seems to fit the bill (many people from the program get internships/jobs at IBM, Deloitte, Accenture, etc.)

Now, at WashU, there isn’t really a comparable program to Information Systems. I’m in the College of Arts and Sciences, and not the business school (I don’t want to get a generic business administration degree for my undergraduate degree, I’d rather do something more unique). One major that is attractive to me is PNP, which is Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology. I still want to get the same type of job that I mentioned above when I graduate, and I know it will be much harder at WashU, and recruiting will be something I’ll have to work harder for. However, I like the people, campus, and overall vibe a lot more at WashU, and that’s why I’m confused. Is it worth giving up a great program at CMU and essentially a guaranteed job by the time a graduate to go to WashU? Or should I stick with CMU because the program is awesome, even though I’m not really a fan of the atmosphere? It’s a bit to techy and cutthroat for me, and I didn’t really connect with the people as much as I did at WashU. My parents are leaning towards CMU, because they want to get their money’s worth out of an education – and a guaranteed job (about 90 percent of Info Systems majors have jobs by the time they graduate) is enough to want CMU.

Any tips/advice? I’m really struggling to make a decision, and have to by May 1st, which isn’t that much time! I really appreciate any help I can get. Thanks so much!