Help me decide University of Richmond vs. Indiana University Bloomington - Undergrad
Intended major: Very sure of Business Administration/Management — Also very open to change it once in University — Open to Finance/Consulting/Economics/Something political as minors or double majors (very open to other things too). Current ideal career plan would be working in consulting.
What I will lay on this post is from my research and talks with students. If you think I have put something that is incorrect, please let me know.
Last day to choose! I'm hoping I am posting this in the correct forum, I'm new over here.
Also, this is a summarized list of my pros and cons, I have tried to cut down to the most professional, career-wise points on this post, as I'm looking for your advice in that regard.
University of Richmond
UR Pros:
- Most affordable of the two (~$54k/yr, still a huge ton)
- The starting salary and overall salary seems very high, higher than Indiana's. (This is a huge thing as one of my major factors for shortlisting to these 2 was the ROI)
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The connections, this could sound bad, but I am very sure that statistically speaking the average Joe at Richmond is more preppy, wealthier, competitive, and more well-connected than Indiana's
- I have to recognize though, that Business students at IUB have a higher SAT than Richmond's
- Although VA is technically Southern, it is very near to the Northeast of the country, where I could get amazing opportunities
- Competitive environment, I love that
- Has a solid Consulting Minor
- Great career services
- Professors are great and have a business-related past
- Especially good for consulting, great consulting classes
- T20 LAC
- Some scholarship opportunities
- Consulting and business societies
UR Cons:
-
T120 in Business (for US news at least)
- However, to be fair, Richmond ranks high in specialized business rankings, like the Poets&Quants' one
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Brand recognition
- Don't get me wrong, Richmond is huge in Virginia, people I've talked to in near states also have told me that Richmond sounds a lot, however, it might not be as recognizable nation-wide compared to Indiana
- Maybe more grade deflation than Indiana
Indiana
IUB Pros:
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Absolutely amazingly ranked
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(US News) T8 for Business, T5 for Management (my major)
- OMG imagine saying you are attending a T5 program
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(US News) T8 for Business, T5 for Management (my major)
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The size
- In terms of numbers alone, Indiana has more opportunities of connections, more potential friends, partners, etc
-
MBA
- I definitely plan to do an MBA. Indiana has the 20th MBA in the nation, and it is both very recognized and competitive
- I would guess that studying Business in Indiana would help me massively to enter into their MBA in the future
- Business students also get to take some great MBA classes and use their resources
- Both for campus jobs as for the position of RA (planning on doing both in either uni), Indiana rewards quite more financially
-
Great opportunities at the Honors program
- I would have to apply in-college tho, I had the stats to get in directly, but it was only reserved for early applicants
- Small classes, massive support
- Scholarships opportunities — There are a lot of them! Right now, I'm appealing my merit aid
- There are really competitive and well-resourced Business communities/clubs
IUB Cons:
- Not near to the academic, workaholicish vibe from Richmond
-
I would not get directly into the Business School (Kelley)
- This is really BS. Even if I'm cracked as per Indiana's average, I would have to do a pre-Kelley track which would involve taking some general classes and not failing them, and only then enter to the school of business in the second year
- The direct entry is reserved only for early applicants. Again, massive BS for me.
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Got 0 aid, would pay 60k
- 54k is already a far stretch for my pops, 60k is insane
I’m not a huge fan of all the Kelley glazing on WSO usually but I think in this case IU might be the better option. Richmond is probably the better school overall (academically) and it’s likely better connected but from what I can tell it looks like Washington & Lee lite. I doubt there are that many connections for Wall Street specifically so unless you really want to go to college in the northeast at a preppy private it may not be worth it.
HOWEVER - if you plan on transferring, say from Richmond to a more target LAC (anything like Claremont/W&L/Amherst/Williams), that might be more feasible from a place like Richmond versus IU — and I would try for this personally if LACs are your thing.
For pure recruiting purposes, IU will be better but you have to grind and neither place can promise you a spot, but your odds will be somewhat better for IB from IU.
Good luck!
Also wanted to add, your odds for Harris Williams are solid from Richmond + consider transferring to UVA too.
Thanks! Honestly, I would only think of transferring if I find that my experience is shit on either school.
I would not really plan to transfer, even to better universities, if I feel comfortable at my future university.
Hey!
I really appreciate the insights. I am going to be totally honest… Before posting this, I had already a decision, I want to go to Richmond because it just seems like a better fit to me. I was posting this with the hopes of someone “validating” my decision, but I was a bit sad that almost everyone (included on Reddit), recommended Kelley.
I still have time to change my commitment, but I really like Richmond. In your opinion, is the difference that deep? Could going to Richmond really affect my professional future? I am getting a huge FOMO, lol.
Btw, apart from IB (I am open to that career path), what are your opinion on both schools regarding consulting?
Thanks in advance.
Hey if you’re leaning Richmond I say go for it… I’m a fan of smaller private schools but I’m giving what would be generic WSO advice. I think academically Richmond will probably be better and you can end up on top with an MBA/MSF program.
My only sorta qualm is like Davidson/W&L (comparable southern LACs) do better for placement because with those two you can get ATL, CLT, and NYC banking. If you like Richmond fit wise, consider transferring to either of those two for better recruiting outcomes. NESCACs/5Cs are also more reputable on the street/west coast respectively.
That being said if you enjoy Richmond, go for it. Recruiting is going to be really uphill out of either of those schools but inarguably Richmond is the better school from what I can tell and you’re not even sure you want to do IB yet. Kelley will probably force you into that toxic pre-professional mindset, and Richmond may open possibilities for you that you may not have realized. Go with your gut.
Getting into IBW is tough but here its you're best option.
I don't really get what you are trying to say.
İBW is the İB workshop at İU kelley, it is super selective but still İU is your best option, go İU.
Kelley does NOT cost 60k a year ... tuition is like 38k oos if you get no scholarships or financial aid
$40,480 in tuition for OOS and then add housing, food, books, etc. it’s estimated at $57,590 total. When people talk about how much college costs they are not only talking about tuition because you also have to pay for everything else
As mentioned by another user, Kelley is 60k considering its full COA, not only tuition.
Ex-Kelley here writing this from the airport: Would lean towards Kelley. IBW is a great program and network to land a SA spot. There are ebbs and flows with their placement across the BBs, but some of the boutiques (Moelis/PWP/CVP) take a handful of kids each year. MMs in Chicago are typically feeders too. I’m a believer that if you’re good enough, someone will find you, but Kelley gives you a better shot of getting your foot in the door AND the social scene is up to par.
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