University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. Photo: wharton.upenn.edu

Majoring in business can be the road map to a great fulfilling career, and with many highly-ranked business schools in the country, you may be wondering which is right for you. U.S. News & World Report ranks undergraduate business programs every year based on a number of qualifying factors. As you are trying to figure out which business school is right for you, the most important thing you should consider is what majors are offered within the business school. Different universities offer different programs, and every track will not be offered at every university. The Top 3 business schools in the United States are in different settings across the country and offer distinctive feelings connected to the overall university.

#1: The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

The Wharton School was the first business school in the United States and currently has the largest alumni network of business schools in the country. Wharton offers programs in accounting, actuarial science, e-commerce, entrepreneurship, finance, general management, health care administration, human resources management, insurance, international business, marketing, production/operations management, public policy, real estate and quantitative analysis/statistics ad operations research. With a bustling student body of over 9,000 undergraduate students, The Wharton School provides prestige with an exciting urban setting.

#2 The Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Sloan School of Management courses have a global focus, offering business clubs in countries around the world. Students are global in nature and allow a number of opportunities for students to study abroad. Sloan offers programs in accounting, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, health care administration human resources management, international business, leadership, manufacturing and technology management, marketing, management information systems, production/operations management, organizational behavior, supply chain management/logistics, quantitative analysis/statistics and operations research and technology. MIT shares a hometown with Harvard University, filling the city with exceptionally bright students from all over the world.

#3 Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley

UC Berkeley is a great option for business students who also want to get involved in other aspects of life on a large university campus. The school has more than 25,000 students, 700 organizations and 55 Greek chapters. Haas offers programs in accounting, consulting, e-commerce, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, general management, health care administration, human resources management, international business, leadership, manufacturing and technology management, marketing, management information systems, not-for-profit management, production/operations management, organizational behavior, portfolio management, public administration, public policy, real estate, supply chain management/logistics, quantitative analysis/statistics and operations research and technology

Check out the complete list of the top business schools in the country. Browse the college profiles at Cappex to learn more about each school and its program.

Photo: jmu.edu

Being a senior is a pretty big deal. You’re the oldest, the smartest, and before you know it, you’ll be emptying your locker and kissing the school buses and bells goodbye forever! Sure, you could sleep through your classes and skip days. You could take that early dismissal every chance you get. You could blow off your assignments and call it “senior-itis.” But is that really how you want to spend your last year?

This is your last chance to score the lead in the musicals, to make captain of your swim team, and to break personal records. This is your last opportunity to get to know your classmates before you all part ways and only see one another through the lens of a Facebook page. The time to make a difference is now. Here’s how you can hit the ground running this fall!

“It Ain’t Over till the Fat Lady Sings.”

It’s hard to care about high school academics when you’re so close to the end. It gets even harder when you have an acceptance letter in your hand, and your exciting future is quickly beginning to sketch itself right before your eyes! Hard as it may be, it’s crucial that you maintain your motivation and continue to work hard! The truth is, until you have that diploma in your hand, it isn’t over. There will be plenty of time to celebrate (like all summer) when you really have finished your journey! Don’t start the party too soon, as there can still be consequences.

Seize the Year

Since you’re here another year, you may as well make the very most of it. Even if you’re dying to get out, and you think you will never want to see these people or go through this experience again, there will be times you look back on it fondly. Don’t give yourself the chance to wonder if you missed out on an opportunity. Try out for cheerleading if you always wanted to. Go to homecoming, whether you have a date or not. Take an art class, just for the heck of it! Ask that guy or girl out! What do you really have to lose at this point?

Don’t Take Your Reputation Too Seriously

A year from now, you will be somewhere new, with a different life, and new friends to add to your old ones. Most of the people you see on a daily basis, you probably won’t see much, or ever again for that matter. Don’t waste your energy trying to impress the girls in the front row who made it clear back in elementary school that they don’t want to be your friend. Don’t spend the year trying to correct a rumor you once heard about yourself. You’ve got one year left, and it’s not worth it! Focus your energy on what you are going to do, and what you’re going to become! It’s your future that matters now.

Photo: mydreamcollege.com

Universities have a lot to offer, and there are many aspects of the college experience that have to come together in order for you to find your perfect college match. As a high school senior researching potential colleges, finding a match in three main areas will help you make sure you get everything you’re looking for.

Majors and Courses

Not every university offers classes on every subject, so it is important to take a look at the different schools within each university you are considering and make sure they have your intended course of study. For example, while majors like English or Psychology are generally found at every university, more specialized majors like Engineering or Journalism may not be offered everywhere. As important as a university’s prestige, student body size, and social scene are to finding your ideal college, without your major it won’t be your perfect match because, after all, you’re there to learn!

Student Life

Depending on your personal interests, some universities will be better matches for you than others. For example, if you are a student and an avid sports fan, a university without a large sports program may not be your perfect match. To some people, there is nothing better than waking up early on Football Saturday and heading to the stadium with friends. Others may not be as interested, and instead be more drawn to universities with thriving arts programs. Finding a match in the culture of the university is as important as finding a degree program that suits your academic interests. Even if the major is a perfect match, if you feel uncomfortable with your university culture and the other students around you, you will not feel fulfilled at the end of your time in college if you didn’t feel that you were happy socially.

Research Programs

Universities are hubs for extensive research, which many students take advantage of while enrolled in classes. Professors run research studies throughout the year on many different topics—ranging from medical to psychological to electronics and everything in between—and look for passionate students to join the team. If the research is successful, you may even have a chance to be published in the study as a research assistant. Getting involved in research is a great way to start building your resume early on and gain hands-on experience in your intended field, and for those students who are interested, is an essential part of finding the perfect match.

Visit at the Right Time

If you are interested in schools located somewhere with distinctive weather, it’s a good idea to visit during the season in question. Visiting a school up north during the warm summer months won’t allow you to discern whether or not you can handle the tougher winter months, and visiting a school down south during the winter when the weather is mild doesn’t let you experience what it’s like to encounter the hot and humid summer weather. Taking your tour at the appropriate time will ensure that you get a realistic experience on your potential campus, and understand what it will be like to actually live there.

Weather isn’t the only issue when it comes to a timely visit. Try to visit a college campus when classes are in session, and it’s “business as usual,” so to speak. Often the truest indicator of what a typical day is like at a particular school is to visit during one.

Listen to Your Guide

Tour guides take the job because they love the school and want to help prospective students see that they will love it, too. They will have interesting stories and facts intertwined with the informative part of the tour, and these stories are what will set each tour apart. You may be tempted to stay at the back of the group and look around, but walking toward the front will ensure that you hear everything the tour guide says.

Where Should You Go?

You may be applying to a number of schools and wondering how many you actually need to tour. Some schools require prospective students to make a visit in order for their application to be considered, so if any of these schools are on your list, they are places you need to visit. If you have one school that you know is definitely at the top of your list, it is recommended that you visit that school.

In your list of prospective schools, you will have back up options, target options, and reach options. It may not be necessary to visit your reach schools until after you get an admissions decision because you are unsure whether or not you will realistically be accepted. Likewise with back up options, you may not need to tour because you’ve received good news from your target school(s). The best idea is to start with your target schools, where you have the highest chance of ending up, and go from there.

While some people believe that Trade school does not offer students the well-rounded education found in the standard college curriculum, if you are passionate about your craft, it is a great way to receive a comprehensive, focused education that will help prepare you for a highly-skilled profession.

Here are a few of the great aspects of Trade schools that make them a desirable option for post-secondary education:

• Trade school degrees can generally be completed in 1-2 years as opposed to the 4-5 years of study needed for most college degrees. If you don’t particularly enjoy studying and taking classes, the shorter timeframe of Trade school may suit you better than a traditional college.

• Because of this shorter period of study, your classes will be highly competitive. Educators expect a lot from their students as they try to cram a complete education into 2-4 semesters, so you will always be busy and working hard. Many students find that the increased competition serves as a strong motivation to stand out. You may see that you also excel better under pressure, allowing you to get ahead in your program and distinguish yourself among your classmates.

• Whereas colleges put an emphasis on academic education, Trade schools place a greater stress on practical education. In Trade school, you will learn the specialized skills needed for your trade and only take classes applicable to this course of study. You will receive instruction and training specific to your desired occupation, be it as a medical assistant, chef, auto technician, flight attendant, fashion buyer, or any other vocation you choose to study. There are hundreds of degrees to choose from, and you’re sure to find a program that matches your interests!

• As you go further working in your trade, you may decide that you want to take more classes and gain more skills. Trade schools are accommodating to students of all ages, often offering night or weekend classes that will fit better with your schedule. You can choose to take a single class at a time and further your education while still being able to work.

• Trade schools offer help finding a job after graduation, which is a great resource when entering the job market for the first time.

Check out more information about colleges and trade schools on Cappex!

Stressful Senior Year = “I didn’t plan ahead and now I have too much college stuff to worry about!”

Fun Senior Year = “I planned ahead and my college application process was so simple!”

You have the power to make either of these happen. I recommend Fun Senior Year, but that’s just me.

Planning ahead and getting started on your college application process before school starts again in the fall is easier than you think. A little time this summer can go a long way. Spending time preparing yourself for the actual applications will make your life less painful come senior year.

• Information is POWER.

  Checking out different schools’ applications will give you a good idea of what to expect when you start filling out your own. You’ll find there are a lot of similar questions and essay topics across the board. You may even realize that you have answers to some of these essay questions already! If not, take a few minutes each week to brainstorm what you could write about. Hint: the best essays do not happen overnight; they develop over time.

• Multi-Task.

  Think about how much time you spend online or scrolling through Facebook. Now, think about exchanging 15 of those aimless browsing minutes for a virtual tour of a college campus. You’ll notice features that you like and dislike, perks to certain schools, and more that will help you narrow down your college search.

• Remember your teachers.

  Who did you love? Who did you get along with well? Who believes in you? Making a list of any teacher you’d like to write a letter of recommendation for you will motivate you to ask them earlier, rather than last minute when they have stacks of student requests waiting.

• Meet up with college friends.

  Think of anyone you know who will be coming back home for the summer from their first year of college. They are seriously awesome sources of information about college life. They’ll be able to relate to you better than a book or website, and they’ll probably be more candid about the perks and downfalls of campuses and schools.

Bottom line? No amount of preparation is too much. Even the tiniest amount will be beneficial.

The other bottom line? Making a profile on Cappex today is a great way to prepare yourself for the college application process and find the perfect school for you!

Destination Celebration!

Try renting out a favorite restaurant with a group of friends. You will be able to save a bit of money splitting the cost. If it is a local place you’re all connected to, it will be a fun way to bid adieu to your hometown together. If you work with the restaurant to have a buffet-style party, more people will easily be able to come and go as they please.

Progressive Dinner

With a group of friends, you could organize a progressive dinner. This is where each member of the group hosts a different course of the evening at their home. For instance, one of you would prepare the appetizers, someone else would serve the main course at their house, and yet another friend would host everyone for dessert! This is great to do with a tight-knit group. It can also work with a larger group if people would rather show up for only one portion of the evening.

Time Travel

Instead of hosting your graduation party right after you graduate – or in the Spring like everyone else – try saving it until later in the Summer! Late July or early August (depending on when most people leave for school) is a great time to have everyone celebrate. It will feel almost like a going-away party and be a fantastic way to wind down your final Summer before college starts.

Dream Theme

Go crazy and pick a theme for your grad party! This can be as rigid or loose as you like, but either way it will give you direction in terms of decorations or ambiance. Even something as cheesy as “Under the Sea” could inspire shrimp appetizers! Blue streamers! Beach music! Or stick to your school colors – your high school or your future college. Do you plan on playing sports at school? Set up a miniature or user-friendly version of your sport in the backyard for guests.

If you’re looking for ways to spend less on your graduation party this year, check out Cappex’s solutions! And don’t forget to prepare for your college years by making a profile on Cappex today.

Thank You Cards

Write cards or emails to all the people who made your college applications happen. This includes teachers who wrote you recommendation letters, advisors or mentors who helped you choose schools, and any family or friends who helped set up your graduation event. Short and simple will go a long way and show your gratitude.

Organize Your Stuff

You’ve probably got papers and books and piles of stuff that have built up in your room over the years. Get organized now! It will make packing for school later this summer so much easier. When you know what you have and know what you need you won’t feel frazzled.

Celebrate

Treat yourself to something special to celebrate the end of high school, completion of applications and the start of your next life chapter! Throw a party with a few close friends or a potluck with tons of people. Get a pedicure. Take banjo lessons. Whatever it is, do it for you and enjoy it.

Apply for Scholarships

There are plenty of ways to fund your schooling and you can start now! Be proactive and find great scholarships on Cappex that fit your financial needs and interests. Scholarships exist for all kinds of students; find the scholarship that is right for you and gear up to fund your education!

Enjoy Living at Home

When you live in dorms or on campus, you won’t have access to all the perks (and disadvantages) of living at home. It will definitely be nice to have your independence, but enjoy being around family while you can. Dining hall meals might get old fast, so enjoy home cooking and great groceries.

Don’t Freak Out!

Seriously – don’t freak out! All the changes going on in your life can get overwhelming. When you get frustrated or scared, just remember that everyone your age is going through the same thing. Even those students that boast about how ready and excited they are – they’ve got the same insecurities because none of you have been to college before. You can do it! It’s a terrific and awesome journey. Keep a positive spin on all that’s going on and don’t freak out!

Find scholarships, college tips, facts about your school and more on Cappex! Make your profile today!

Well, shoot.

Is your life over? No. Here’s why:

It ain’t personal.

The college admissions people learn about who you are along with thousands of other applicants at the same time. A ton of students get rejected from every school. Your rejection might be due to one or two specific items on your application, but it’s likely a numbers issue. In the past few years, more students have applied to more schools than ever before. This makes elite schools more elite and fills up state universities quickly. Many large state schools are taking more out-of-state students who will pay higher out-of-state tuition to make up for cut funding. That certainly has nothing to do with you.

It helps you make a choice.

Remember when you first started your college search and choosing where to apply was daunting because there were so many colleges to look through? Too many choices can make the decision harder and draw it out too long. If you’ve been rejected, you can now focus on where you did get in and find the perks of those schools. Why did you apply there in the first place? Revisit your favorite things about those schools.

You’re not alone, Smartypants.

You are probably in the same boat as thousands of other smart, talented and driven students who did not get into their top choices. The cool, good news is that this means schools that used to be considered “middle of the road” or “second tier” are now filling up with very qualified students who didn’t make the excruciatingly selective cut of the best colleges in the country. Smart, talented and driven students don’t all attend the same school. They are all over! Not just attending the Ivy League.

Honestly, if you ask around, you’ll find that getting rejected can be the best thing that happens to you. It is not the end of the world – it is the beginning of your next adventure!

Learn more about hearing back from schools on Cappex.com!

Smooth Your Surfaces: Maybe you haven’t always been nice to everybody at school. Perhaps you have an ex you haven’t spoken to all year because things got weird, or you maybe you have a sibling you haven’t seen eye-to-eye with since elementary school. While there’s undoubtedly things you’re eager to leave behind, it does wonders for you and others emotionally to take this chance before you leave to make things right, so you can embark on your journey with a clean slate.

Define Relationships: Transitions can be tough on any relationship. Perhaps you’re leaving for college, but your significant other is still in high school. Maybe you’re planning on attending two different colleges. Before things get sticky, talk about your relationship. Will you maintain the relationship? Will you continue to be exclusive, or do you plan to see other people? It’s better to figure it out now than be surprised and hurt and heartbroken by a difference in perspective later.

Preserve Bridges: Identify the people at your school and community who have influenced you and could potentially assist you in your future. Your English teacher who wrote your letter of recommendation may someday request you sub for her class. Your friend’s dad who got you a summer internship may be the gateway to your first entry level job. Get the email addresses of these people. Send them holiday cards and updates on your life. By maintaining these relationships now, you’ll be helping yourself later.

Decide What to Bring, and What to Let Go: College is often seen as a fresh start. Even if you attend a local college with a chunk of your high school classmates, most people won’t know who you are, what you did, what you’re like, or what you’ve been called. Before you step into a new world where you’ll have to make yourself all over again, decide what’s worth bringing and what’s worth leaving. Bring your personal philosophies, your best qualities, your funny stories, and your dreams. Leave behind your awkward moments, your bad relationships, and your failed tests, because who you were won’t matter, but who you are does.

Want to find your perfect college fit? Make your profile at Cappex.com today!