W&M vs BC

Question

Hey guys,

I need some help. I am really torn between William and Mary and Boston college. Both these schools are really good and I seriously do not know which one to choose. William and Mary has been ranked above Boston in the PAR report and It is also in a place where the cost of living is comparably cheap(Since I am an International student, I need to take this into consideration). On the other had Boston College has better reputation and recognition than W&M.But it is ranked below W&M for its Accounting program and also I need to pay 15k more . I need a job immediately after my course gets over and Its really hard to get a job in the US considering the Visa issues for International students.

Which one should I go for?
Boston College? (Hoping that its reputation would land me at a job anywhere in the US. )
OR
William and Mary?( Which is ranked better than Boston College and also has a better course work.)

Thanks

ashookk · Answer

Anyone?

mountaineertider · Answer

Have you visited both schools? Where do you want to live once you graduate?

ashookk · Answer

No I am an International student and I really can't visit the schools.But I have got some great reviews about these two schools. My only worry is about the job prospects.Since I am an International student, I will have issues with work visa.Location is not an issue here, I will be willing to work anywhere.

My feeling is that BC would give me a better chance to get a job than W&M. I believe BC's reputation is much better and this would help me to get atleat an Interview call anywhere in the US.

mountaineertider · Answer

I would say BC, being in a bigger city would lend itself to more "big" opportunistic. However, I would venture to guess the COL will be high during that year. W&M is more of a regional name that people down south know about (or so it seems to me) and you'll be competing with UVA and VT people for jobs. I would say if its simply down to getting a job in the region your studying in, BC would be your best bet.

ashookk · Answer

Thank you for your opinion. Even I feel the same. What have you decided on? I believe you got into V Tech and U of Georgia.

mountaineertider · Answer

I eventually decided to go to North Carolina State. It's close by and has a special governmental interviewing program which works for me since I want to get into forensics. I also like the fact Becker is paid for and there is an extended Meet the Firms.

mattfrommorocco · Answer

I visited W&M this weekend and was very impressed. The professors seem very accessible and all the students know each other and work together. I spent time with 2nd year students and they said that 97% of their class had internships during the summer. So that boads well for employment I think.
If you are interested in being in Northern VA or DC I think W&M is a great option. I could definitely see myself there.

Don't know anything about Babson.

LevelX · Answer

Hey guys,

I need some help. I am really torn between William and Mary and Boston college. Both these schools are really good and I seriously do not know which one to choose. William and Mary has been ranked above Boston in the PAR report and It is also in a place where the cost of living is comparably cheap(Since I am an International student, I need to take this into consideration). On the other had Boston College has better reputation and recognition than W&M.But it is ranked below W&M for its Accounting program and also I need to pay 15k more . I need a job immediately after my course gets over and Its really hard to get a job in the US considering the Visa issues for International students.

Which one should I go for?
Boston College? (Hoping that its reputation would land me at a job anywhere in the US. )OR William and Mary?( Which is ranked better than Boston College and also has a better course work.)

I am in the same situation as you. I am in at BC too but I am torn between that and GWU. I know BC is ranked and GWU is not but I want to work in the government sector and I keep thinking that GWU would offer better career prospects regardless of rankings. I also have admits at Baruch and Bentley which are ranked higher than BC in PAR but I do not think I will consider those schools in my decision.

geno5 · Answer

LevelX,

Can I ask you what your stats are e.g. GMAT score. Since you got admitted into a few schools, including Baruch, Bentley and BC. Any other schools admitted?

Also what do people think about schools that are PAR ranked but NOT AACSB accredited? Like BC...

My thoughts are if you want to work in Accounting; schools with higher PAR rankings like W&M will help you get a job right away in Accounting but if you want to do something else after. The reputation of BC might help you more if you want a career change more industry related work.

LevelX · Answer

My Gmat was not very high at 660 but I have great recommendations and my gpa is 4.0.
Where are you applying/have applied?

geno5 · Answer

I have not applied or written the Gmat. Will be applying next year for fall 2013. Writing the Gmat this summer.

geno5 · Answer

I am also from Canada, was wondering I'm going to have an accounting degree and will have taken all the tax courses and advanced financial accounting, etc. But does anyone know if they will transfer properly, will some schools still require me to take prerequisites because of US GAAP? Some schools recommend calculus what do people think? I can definitely do it but could take an easier elective to boost gpa you know is it worth the risk?

Is there any students who got accepted right into some programs with an international accounting degree?

Is there any students who got accepted right into some programs with an international accounting degree?

novanative · Answer

I actually graduated from W&M for college but did not go to what is now the Mason School of Business (do not confuse it for George Mason University) for a BBA.

W&M is a public research university in Williamsburg, VA (about three hours away from Washington DC). Undergrads are as good if not better than the University of Virginia. The Business School has a very new facility located near a location called "new campus" because the buildings clearly do not look colonial like some of the older buildings. If you like a picturesque campus and will enjoy touring some American colonial history, William and Mary is a perfect place for it, because Jamestown (Pocahontas and John Smith), and Yorktown (where Cornwallis surrendered) are all within 30 minutes from town.

Can't say much about Boston College because I didn't go there (probably some BC alums here though because it's also a great school), but the overall business school reputation is better than William and Mary (including MBA reputation).

W&M vs BC

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