Undergrad- Colby College vs. University of Maryland

Me again from the post asking about Hobart vs UMD

Sorry if you're sick of dumb 18 year olds asking questions but this seems to be the right place.

Well I got off the wait list at Colby and have to make this decision again. It's hard to get a picture of Colby's prestige because all the forum topics on NESCACS make it sound like it's Amherst Williams or bust.

If I have IBD goals would you say I'd have a better shot as an econ major at Colby or a finance major at UMD? Colby is ranked 15th for LAC's and UMD is ranked 62nd for Universities, although UMD's undergrad business is ranked top 25 (if there are undergrad econ rankings its not like anyone cares).

I think I'd fit in better at Colby but the weather could be rough... Maryland is close to home which I like.

Cost isn't an issue but who wouldn't rather pay 25k vs 60k

Any advice would be appreciated as I have to decide in 48 hours.

 
Best Response

I'm a LAC guy so I like Colby, but I think it really comes down to what you like bette and what your financial situation is. If you want to break into IBD you'll be able to do it from either place. Colby will have no OCR and you'll have to network harder, but your ceiling will probably be higher in the sense that there will be less competition for finance jobs and you'll have direct access to some powerful alums. Colby will also be a much tougher school and you'll probably have to work a little bit harder. There will be a different party scene than at University of Maryland and your social life will probably look a little different.

Upsides to Maryland is that it's still a decent school that could give you great opportunities in life and you'd probably have more fun in the process. It's also a lot cheaper which can never really be ignored.

Looking back at my 4 years at my LAC, the only think I would have even potentially traded it for is a public Ivy type school, Duke( I know its not public), UVA, Michigan, Berkeley where I could have had a big school feel combined with a great name and solid academics.

In my opinion, Maryland isn't a strong enough public school to go to over a top LAC. Colby will be an awesome experience and will have a very tight knit community. The weather sucks, but the weather sucks at all of the LACs and people still find ways to have fun. If money isn't a huge issue then go with you gut and it sounds like thats Colby.

 

That's tough. I dont much about LAC's. To be honest I didn't even know a school called Colby existed until now. That's how far under the radar LACs are for. I went to a top university undergrad so LAC's are like magical unicorns for me. The only LACs I know are Williams, Wellseley and Weslayan. Middle Burry? Vassar? Thats about it. Maryland has a strong reputation much stronger than its undergrad reputation. Dont be fooled by the rankings. The Smith school is a solid B-school. Top Math/Science/Engineering school. Its located in DC, so take that into account. It could help you land tons of job offers.

Barclays, Citi, Prudential all recruit at Maryland & Gtown. Nothing special here.

More people on the street recognize UMD than Colby . Thats something else to account for.

 

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