UVA Echols Scholar vs. Vanderbilt

I am a senior in college and have been accepted at Vanderbilt and at UVA as an Echols scholar (Echols scholars are about the top 5% of accepted UVA students, are exempt from the school's core requirements, and have priority registration for classes). I am hoping to go into IB at a BB after college (or PE if possible) and was wondering which school would be a better choice. At UVA I would have to apply to the McIntire Commerce school for my junior year and at Vanderbilt I would major in economics. I have heard that UVA places better, but I am drawn to Vanderbilt's prestige and selectivity (and the fact that it is a private school). However, with Echols, would UVA be considered more prestigious? I am definitely planning on joining a fraternity and having fun while in college. Thanks.

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I assume you mean that McIntire is a target. Do you happen to know how difficult it is to be accepted to McIntire (and do you think the Echols program will help with admission)?

 
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I don't go to UVA but know a few things about it. Most of the recruiting will be done before you get an opportunity to join McIntire, so I wouldn't say that UVA is a school where you have to be in the business school to recruit for IB. If you're in the Echols program, I assume you have what it takes to be top 5-10% at UVA, making you a solid candidate for IB. Ultimately, although UVA will give you a better shot than Vanderbilt, it will still be on you to get sufficiently good grades, ECs, and internships to outcompete other UVA students.

 

Vanderbilt is a very prestigious school, but it is worth researching employment statistics for each school. UVA placement is absolutely incredible for McIniere, and I would assume many would be able to get into good positions even if they cannot get into McIntire. What is great about your situation is that you are Echols! Being exempt from core requirements and priority registration are very beneficial for college students. The freedom, as well as prestige, you will get from Echols will be well worth it. One thing I will say is that McIntire is not easy to get into, and oftentimes it is like the whole college admissions process over again with a lot of subjectivity. However, I would not worry about this given you are Echols and know you want business.

McIntire placement: https://www.commerce.virginia.edu/career-services/career-destinations-r…

 

Does being designated as an Echols Scholar impact admissions at McIntire? Also, what extracurriculars and programs would help get into McIntire?

 

strongly considered going to UVA, Echols is a great program and puts you in a really solid position to be accepted to McIntire. Recruiting from McIntire is gonna be better than Vanderbilt and you’ll likely have a better social life at UVA too

 

Not directly necessarily (it might) but it provides a solid leg up from the very beginning of your time at UVA, as long as you capitalize on any additional resources and opportunities you get as an Echols scholar that should carry a lot of weight through the process

 

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