Undergrad Business School - UMD vs UVA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I knew my kid could ace freshman year with a stellar 3.9 GPA which would nearly guarantee admit to McIntyre I would go for UVA. If there is any chance that they struggle with acclimation, have a more challenging freshman year, not even horrible, but get like a 3.0 first semester, they likely would not get into McIntyre, and I’d see that as too risky. And Econ is Nothing Like a Business degree in terms of course choices etc, heavier in quant, I know my kid would not have enjoyed that as a plan B and only applied to schools with direct admit…. I think you have to know your kid, their mental health, their ability to handle change, etc etc. There are definitely those kids who kill it freshman year and get a 4.0. If yours is one of those go for UVA.

Acceptance to McIntire is more than just grades, there will be many 3.9 and 4.0 that won’t get in. It’s very holistic.

Holistic? Based on what?

Participation in clubs, sports and the community and volunteering are very important.

So...it's just more HS bulls**t? The ratrace just continues.

Completely. It’s why my DC only applied to direct admit business programs. Who wants to do this level of BS for another year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I knew my kid could ace freshman year with a stellar 3.9 GPA which would nearly guarantee admit to McIntyre I would go for UVA. If there is any chance that they struggle with acclimation, have a more challenging freshman year, not even horrible, but get like a 3.0 first semester, they likely would not get into McIntyre, and I’d see that as too risky. And Econ is Nothing Like a Business degree in terms of course choices etc, heavier in quant, I know my kid would not have enjoyed that as a plan B and only applied to schools with direct admit…. I think you have to know your kid, their mental health, their ability to handle change, etc etc. There are definitely those kids who kill it freshman year and get a 4.0. If yours is one of those go for UVA.

Acceptance to McIntire is more than just grades, there will be many 3.9 and 4.0 that won’t get in. It’s very holistic.

Holistic? Based on what?

Participation in clubs, sports and the community and volunteering are very important.

So...it's just more HS bulls**t? The ratrace just continues.

Completely. It’s why my DC only applied to direct admit business programs. Who wants to do this level of BS for another year?

At least I understand say Wake Forest which requires you maintain like a 3.0...but that is the only requirement. Everyone that meets this threshold is admitted. It's not like you truly have to apply.

My kid crossed UNC off the list because it's not that highly rated for business (it's good at #22...just not crazy high) and it sounds the same/worse as UVA in terms of having to apply for the business program and like 50% rejected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about the music piece? You said your kid would be a double major. I think UMD's music school would be significantly better if that piece matters a lot, but I am not an expert on that. Just something to add to the mix.

OP here. Music does matter to DC. Unfortunately UVa doesn’t have as strong of a music program as UMD. So the UVA business will have to be head and shoulders above Smith for UVA to be a better option even being in state.

I see a pattern of not too strong programs at UVA. Music, Engineering, the rest of STEM.

There is a pattern of DCUM people saying this but it’s not actually true. It’s normally VA tech or UMD folk saying that. Do you really rely on anonymous people to advise your kids career and college choice? But by all means, if you don’t want your kid to go, don’t apply. Easy as that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I knew my kid could ace freshman year with a stellar 3.9 GPA which would nearly guarantee admit to McIntyre I would go for UVA. If there is any chance that they struggle with acclimation, have a more challenging freshman year, not even horrible, but get like a 3.0 first semester, they likely would not get into McIntyre, and I’d see that as too risky. And Econ is Nothing Like a Business degree in terms of course choices etc, heavier in quant, I know my kid would not have enjoyed that as a plan B and only applied to schools with direct admit…. I think you have to know your kid, their mental health, their ability to handle change, etc etc. There are definitely those kids who kill it freshman year and get a 4.0. If yours is one of those go for UVA.

Acceptance to McIntire is more than just grades, there will be many 3.9 and 4.0 that won’t get in. It’s very holistic.

Holistic? Based on what?

Participation in clubs, sports and the community and volunteering are very important.

My child applied with a GPA of 3.9 but unfortunately did not gain admission. Luckily he has a major that he loves to fall back on. There are a few highly competitive clubs, and he was not fortunate enough to secure a spot in any of them. It's unclear if this impacted his application outcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about the music piece? You said your kid would be a double major. I think UMD's music school would be significantly better if that piece matters a lot, but I am not an expert on that. Just something to add to the mix.

OP here. Music does matter to DC. Unfortunately UVa doesn’t have as strong of a music program as UMD. So the UVA business will have to be head and shoulders above Smith for UVA to be a better option even being in state.

I see a pattern of not too strong programs at UVA. Music, Engineering, the rest of STEM.

There is a pattern of DCUM people saying this but it’s not actually true. It’s normally VA tech or UMD folk saying that. Do you really rely on anonymous people to advise your kids career and college choice? But by all means, if you don’t want your kid to go, don’t apply. Easy as that.

dp.. what did ^PP state that isn't true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I knew my kid could ace freshman year with a stellar 3.9 GPA which would nearly guarantee admit to McIntyre I would go for UVA. If there is any chance that they struggle with acclimation, have a more challenging freshman year, not even horrible, but get like a 3.0 first semester, they likely would not get into McIntyre, and I’d see that as too risky. And Econ is Nothing Like a Business degree in terms of course choices etc, heavier in quant, I know my kid would not have enjoyed that as a plan B and only applied to schools with direct admit…. I think you have to know your kid, their mental health, their ability to handle change, etc etc. There are definitely those kids who kill it freshman year and get a 4.0. If yours is one of those go for UVA.

Acceptance to McIntire is more than just grades, there will be many 3.9 and 4.0 that won’t get in. It’s very holistic.

Holistic? Based on what?

Participation in clubs, sports and the community and volunteering are very important.

They care if you play intramural or club sports? I mean, it's college so if you weren't recruited, you aren't playing varsity sports.

Some of the club sports at UVA are highly competitive, difficult to gain a spot on and routinely compete in nationals. The one my DD is on has several former UVA D1 athletes on it. Businesses like competitive people who know how to work as a team. Pretty straightforward to me.

[Anonymous]

Decisions for this years applicants come out at the end of the month so OP might want to check back here then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I knew my kid could ace freshman year with a stellar 3.9 GPA which would nearly guarantee admit to McIntyre I would go for UVA. If there is any chance that they struggle with acclimation, have a more challenging freshman year, not even horrible, but get like a 3.0 first semester, they likely would not get into McIntyre, and I’d see that as too risky. And Econ is Nothing Like a Business degree in terms of course choices etc, heavier in quant, I know my kid would not have enjoyed that as a plan B and only applied to schools with direct admit…. I think you have to know your kid, their mental health, their ability to handle change, etc etc. There are definitely those kids who kill it freshman year and get a 4.0. If yours is one of those go for UVA.

Acceptance to McIntire is more than just grades, there will be many 3.9 and 4.0 that won’t get in. It’s very holistic.

Holistic? Based on what?

Participation in clubs, sports and the community and volunteering are very important.

They care if you play intramural or club sports? I mean, it's college so if you weren't recruited, you aren't playing varsity sports.

Some of the club sports at UVA are highly competitive, difficult to gain a spot on and routinely compete in nationals. The one my DD is on has several former UVA D1 athletes on it. Businesses like competitive people who know how to work as a team. Pretty straightforward to me.

That is stupid. I never once have cared if a kid played club sports when hiring…never once. You play club sports for fun and perhaps the peer network it provides.

[Anonymous]

OP. Thanks for all the feedback. DC will need to think long and hard about priorities. If being involved in highly coveted club will have a major impact on the business school app, this might not be the path for DC. The commitment from the music side and the dual major approach will definitely conflict with these ECs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I knew my kid could ace freshman year with a stellar 3.9 GPA which would nearly guarantee admit to McIntyre I would go for UVA. If there is any chance that they struggle with acclimation, have a more challenging freshman year, not even horrible, but get like a 3.0 first semester, they likely would not get into McIntyre, and I’d see that as too risky. And Econ is Nothing Like a Business degree in terms of course choices etc, heavier in quant, I know my kid would not have enjoyed that as a plan B and only applied to schools with direct admit…. I think you have to know your kid, their mental health, their ability to handle change, etc etc. There are definitely those kids who kill it freshman year and get a 4.0. If yours is one of those go for UVA.

Acceptance to McIntire is more than just grades, there will be many 3.9 and 4.0 that won’t get in. It’s very holistic.

Holistic? Based on what?

Participation in clubs, sports and the community and volunteering are very important.

They care if you play intramural or club sports? I mean, it's college so if you weren't recruited, you aren't playing varsity sports.

Some of the club sports at UVA are highly competitive, difficult to gain a spot on and routinely compete in nationals. The one my DD is on has several former UVA D1 athletes on it. Businesses like competitive people who know how to work as a team. Pretty straightforward to me.

If these club sports are as hard to make as you indicate…you think that should somehow factor into the decision for acceptance to the business school…after you have already been accepted to the university…without sports being a factor in that decision…or maybe you don’t play sports at all…really, that’s your answer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I knew my kid could ace freshman year with a stellar 3.9 GPA which would nearly guarantee admit to McIntyre I would go for UVA. If there is any chance that they struggle with acclimation, have a more challenging freshman year, not even horrible, but get like a 3.0 first semester, they likely would not get into McIntyre, and I’d see that as too risky. And Econ is Nothing Like a Business degree in terms of course choices etc, heavier in quant, I know my kid would not have enjoyed that as a plan B and only applied to schools with direct admit…. I think you have to know your kid, their mental health, their ability to handle change, etc etc. There are definitely those kids who kill it freshman year and get a 4.0. If yours is one of those go for UVA.

Acceptance to McIntire is more than just grades, there will be many 3.9 and 4.0 that won’t get in. It’s very holistic.

Holistic? Based on what?

Participation in clubs, sports and the community and volunteering are very important.

They care if you play intramural or club sports? I mean, it's college so if you weren't recruited, you aren't playing varsity sports.

Some of the club sports at UVA are highly competitive, difficult to gain a spot on and routinely compete in nationals. The one my DD is on has several former UVA D1 athletes on it. Businesses like competitive people who know how to work as a team. Pretty straightforward to me.

If these club sports are as hard to make as you indicate…you think that should somehow factor into the decision for acceptance to the business school…after you have already been accepted to the university…without sports being a factor in that decision…or maybe you don’t play sports at all…really, that’s your answer?

I have no clue how strongly McIntire feels about applicants who play club sports and I’d guess many who are accepted into the school play no sports at UVA. I’m simply responding to the fact that one PP said admission was holistic and another PP who suggested only D1 sports matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I knew my kid could ace freshman year with a stellar 3.9 GPA which would nearly guarantee admit to McIntyre I would go for UVA. If there is any chance that they struggle with acclimation, have a more challenging freshman year, not even horrible, but get like a 3.0 first semester, they likely would not get into McIntyre, and I’d see that as too risky. And Econ is Nothing Like a Business degree in terms of course choices etc, heavier in quant, I know my kid would not have enjoyed that as a plan B and only applied to schools with direct admit…. I think you have to know your kid, their mental health, their ability to handle change, etc etc. There are definitely those kids who kill it freshman year and get a 4.0. If yours is one of those go for UVA.

Acceptance to McIntire is more than just grades, there will be many 3.9 and 4.0 that won’t get in. It’s very holistic.

Holistic? Based on what?

Participation in clubs, sports and the community and volunteering are very important.

So...it's just more HS bulls**t? The ratrace just continues.

Completely. It’s why my DC only applied to direct admit business programs. Who wants to do this level of BS for another year?

Clearly plenty.

[Anonymous]

I think the clubs PP mentioned are not sports-related clubs for business-related clubs like investment clubs, Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), Cavalytics Club, Smart Woman Securities or Colonnade Capital Partners

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the clubs PP mentioned are not sports-related clubs for business-related clubs like investment clubs, Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), Cavalytics Club, Smart Woman Securities or Colonnade Capital Partners

exactly, the PP gave the example of club sports but it is likely the least important of all the clubs they would be part of.

To the OP, since they have not ever before done McIntire admissions in first year, there is simply no way of telling who will get in and what they will have been involved with. The one thing that is absolutely true is that it is holistic admissions and a high GPA does not guarantee your admittance. My Ds's roommate is in McIntire and he was in a few clubs, but did not get into the "top" financial clubs which are considered McIntire fast track clubs. Even without those traditional pathways to McIntire admission, he was accepted with a 3.9+ GPA and some interesting club leadership roles such as VP of finance in his fraternity and president of another club related to his double major (not finance). Clearly if he'd applied as a first year, he would not have that those two leadership roles so I am sure it will change the admission trends and there's no telling how.

I will say at UVA everything is competitive. Everything. It's an extremely humbling experience. I think that's a good thing but sometimes it is a bit much. Club sports are extremely competitive, but again not necessary to be on your resume for McIntire app. I think OP that your DS's music may be a good way to differentiate himself. My DS is in the student run orchestra and there are leadership roles that can be held there as well. But again, a first year is not getting a leadership role in any club so it will really not be as important.

UVA McIntire vs UMD? World's apart in opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the clubs PP mentioned are not sports-related clubs for business-related clubs like investment clubs, Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), Cavalytics Club, Smart Woman Securities or Colonnade Capital Partners

exactly, the PP gave the example of club sports but it is likely the least important of all the clubs they would be part of.

To the OP, since they have not ever before done McIntire admissions in first year, there is simply no way of telling who will get in and what they will have been involved with. The one thing that is absolutely true is that it is holistic admissions and a high GPA does not guarantee your admittance. My Ds's roommate is in McIntire and he was in a few clubs, but did not get into the "top" financial clubs which are considered McIntire fast track clubs. Even without those traditional pathways to McIntire admission, he was accepted with a 3.9+ GPA and some interesting club leadership roles such as VP of finance in his fraternity and president of another club related to his double major (not finance). Clearly if he'd applied as a first year, he would not have that those two leadership roles so I am sure it will change the admission trends and there's no telling how.

I will say at UVA everything is competitive. Everything. It's an extremely humbling experience. I think that's a good thing but sometimes it is a bit much. Club sports are extremely competitive, but again not necessary to be on your resume for McIntire app. I think OP that your DS's music may be a good way to differentiate himself. My DS is in the student run orchestra and there are leadership roles that can be held there as well. But again, a first year is not getting a leadership role in any club so it will really not be as important.

UVA McIntire vs UMD? World's apart in opportunity.

Explain worlds apart in opportunity. UMD is ranked #21 and UVA is #12. On what basis can you make that claim…do you even know what opportunity is available to UMD grads?