Help! Undergrade college decision....where to go??? (Chicago, Lincoln: loans, how much)

[zach9]

I have been accepted to both Ohio State and DePaul as a finance major, and am currently in the final process of deciding. I know based strictly on ranking this may seem an easy decision as osu is 14th ranked by USWNR, but DePaul, from what I've seen is also reputable (ranked 40 by businessweek). Having said that, based on the recruitment and job placement stats of the two schools I see that DePaul places very well with the big 4 and other reputable firms. Also at DePaul I would be eligible for the finance honors program which too places well from what I hear. Would going to DePaul be the wrong move here, or will my career be ultimately unaffected?

[chet everett]

DePaul has a very solid REGIONAL presence in a VERY VERY VERY important REGION -- if you wanna work in Chicago or a major firm HQ'd here it is an easy choice.

OSU is a perfectly acceptable Big 10 U in what is arguably the second most devasted state to have a Big 10 school. On campus recruiting is not going to be anything like it was when Ohio had many more "regional money center" banks and Fortune 1000 firms... (but it still would not be as awful as say Michigan State ;^\ )

[grapico]

probably unaffected, it isn't like you are going to an Ivy vs Public State. If you know you want to be around Chicago, Depaul is a good choice. If you want a more college town experience, obviously, ohio state.

[Attrill]

The opportunities for good internships during the school year is much better at DePaul. And as Chet said, it has many more connections to national or regional corporate HQ's. Otherwise, both are good schools.

[MozLee]

I started out my college career at OSU, but moved back home and graduated from DePaul. I agree with what the others have said about DePaul looking good on resumes if you want to stay in Chicago for a job. Really, either are great schools.

Have you visited both campuses? OSU is HUGE- 60,000 undergrads. The campus is huge, High Street is fun, the football is a blast, and you'll get a true blue "college" experience. DePaul is right in Lincoln Park in Chicago and has much more of a "city" feel. There is no main college street with bars and shops, for instance... it's just Chicago streets. It largely depends on what you're looking for (and remember you can always change your mind, even after you start at one school!).

Remember that DePaul is private and more expensive as well. I'm still paying off loans, but it was worth it. DePaul has consistently been ranked as a school with some of the happiest students in the country. I got a great education there.

Academically speaking, they are both great schools and I don't think you can go wrong with either.

[LIS123]

Originally Posted by zach9

I have been accepted to both Ohio State and DePaul as a finance major, and am currently in the final process of deciding. I know based strictly on ranking this may seem an easy decision as osu is 14th ranked by USWNR, but DePaul, from what I've seen is also reputable (ranked 40 by businessweek). Having said that, based on the recruitment and job placement stats of the two schools I see that DePaul places very well with the big 4 and other reputable firms. Also at DePaul I would be eligible for the finance honors program which too places well from what I hear. Would going to DePaul be the wrong move here, or will my career be ultimately unaffected?

I don't think DePaul would be wrong, but the question is whether it's worth the ~ $80-90K more that it would cost than OSU over 4 years.

Do you know how much you'd have to borrow at each school? If there is a significant difference, my recommendation would be stick with OSU.

[lincolnparker]

Neither! RE-APPLY, and try to get into Wharton!

Originally Posted by zach9

I have been accepted to both Ohio State and DePaul as a finance major, and am currently in the final process of deciding. I know based strictly on ranking this may seem an easy decision as osu is 14th ranked by USWNR, but DePaul, from what I've seen is also reputable (ranked 40 by businessweek). Having said that, based on the recruitment and job placement stats of the two schools I see that DePaul places very well with the big 4 and other reputable firms. Also at DePaul I would be eligible for the finance honors program which too places well from what I hear. Would going to DePaul be the wrong move here, or will my career be ultimately unaffected?

[zach9]

^^haha, I wish. Both schools will cost almost exactly the same after scholarships, so money isnt really an issue.

[Jandur]

Obviously Ohio State will have better name recognition nationally, so if you want to get a job outside of Chicago it's probably a better choice for you. If you want to be in Chicago, which obviously is a big finance hub, DePaul is a good choice too. It's a well respected school in the area and you wont suffer by going there.

Beyond that, do you want to go to college in a city, or have the traditional campus/college life experience at a huge university? They are two very different experiences.

[slow_nerve_action]

Originally Posted by zach9

I have been accepted to both Ohio State and DePaul as a finance major, and am currently in the final process of deciding. I know based strictly on ranking this may seem an easy decision as osu is 14th ranked by USWNR, but DePaul, from what I've seen is also reputable (ranked 40 by businessweek). Having said that, based on the recruitment and job placement stats of the two schools I see that DePaul places very well with the big 4 and other reputable firms. Also at DePaul I would be eligible for the finance honors program which too places well from what I hear. Would going to DePaul be the wrong move here, or will my career be ultimately unaffected?

I'm a DePaul finance grad. The reputation goes beyond Chicago. My classmates have jobs in finance in NYC, Singapore, Seattle, and Miami, as well as Minneapolis, Chicago, and Indy.

If you go to school there, you won't have the typical college experience....Saturday's are spent playing intramural football instead of watching the school team. However, it is also very fun to be 18-21 in Lincoln Park. Greek life is almost non-existent (there are a few frats, but participation percentage is in the single digits), so if you are looking for that, OSU might be the better choice.