Entrepreneurship + College? Best fits? Advice? Experiences?

[Andrew Hill]

Well this is a bit of a strange topic but I can't think of a better place to ask.

Right now I'm a Senior in High School. I'm also a budding entrepreneur trying to start two different ventures at the same time (I know, I know... not the best idea) while also looking at colleges. This depending on where I look one place claims this school is the best while another list claims another.

Right now Babson is my first choice (if I can get in) But at the same time I have no idea where I want to go more realistically. Drexel sent me a free application so I'll apply there, ASU I have the business card of the dean of admissions so I probably should send her an email.. etc etc..

Also, has anyone heard of Champlins BYO Biz program? It sounds kinda sketchy to me, yet is interesting.

I'm wondering what you guys have learned over the college years and whatnot. Where are the best CEO chapters? Is Collegiate DECA any good compared to CEO? (I'm in DECA right now in High School) Is incubator space all that its cracked up to be? Seed funding yes or no?

Other things for me are water and or mountains. At least one of the two. I'm big into beaches, sailing, rowing, basically anything to do with the water. I'm also a big skier, hiker, camper, biking type person. My businesses are generally all run online and other things like PO locations and times and stuff matter somewhat as well (eventually going to use a fulfillment house for one of the ventures)

Any advice?

Thanks,
-Andrew

[Fidan]

If you like water and beaches you should apply to a school either on west or east coast, there are good schools in both directions. The advice i can give you is that go a little more deeper than just entrepreneur program, i mean that even if you dont find a good entrepreneur program you can choose something in the business field that you not can handle for now and want to learn? I am in the same positon in life right now and i am probably going to choose finance as a major because i cant master that by myself for now, but with a degree no investor can fool me when it comes to finance and investor money.

[Matt Wilson]

Hey Andrew you came to the right place for advice. You've obviously researched some of the best e-ship programs, so yu are applying at the right places. I've never heard of Champlins and don't know about Collegiate Deca, but if you get involved with a good Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization you'd be golden. I can connect you with a ton of outstanding people in CEO and of course since you asked Bryant University has been the #1 CEO chapter in the world the past two years. http://bryantceo.org (I'm a little partial as I was president for 2 years). Anyhow, come to Chicago for the CEO Nat'l Conference this year Oct 23, 24!

Let me know what else you need matt @under30ceo.com

[Andrew Hill]

Thanks for the advice guys!

Fidan your advice is rock solid. Great advice. I've actually been thinking about it almost daily since you posted it. I think a good business education is the base that every entrepreneur will find useful. My hope is that I can find the right Entrepreneurial mix in a good business education, since at heart I'm an entrepreneur.

Matt, thanks for the information, I was hoping I could get some of your view on this as well. I haven't visited Bryant yet, I did Babson and Bently then kinda stopped... I also kinda wanted to get out of the state for school but if it is the best I probably should check it out.

As for the CEO stuff, I thought it was CEO members only? Is there a High School version of CEO? Then again I'm actually going to be at the College Board's Forum 09 in NYC that wednesday-friday and am flying home friday so I don't think I would be able to turn around and fly back out.

Thanks for the responses and please keep the comments coming!
-Andrew

[Matt Wilson]

Hey Andrew, I could get you in if you wanted to go--I'm sure you could register to check it out.

Are you from Rhode Island?

Andrew Hill said:

Thanks for the advice guys!

Fidan your advice is rock solid. Great advice. I've actually been thinking about it almost daily since you posted it. I think a good business education is the base that every entrepreneur will find useful. My hope is that I can find the right Entrepreneurial mix in a good business education, since at heart I'm an entrepreneur.

Matt, thanks for the information, I was hoping I could get some of your view on this as well. I haven't visited Bryant yet, I did Babson and Bently then kinda stopped... I also kinda wanted to get out of the state for school but if it is the best I probably should check it out.

As for the CEO stuff, I thought it was CEO members only? Is there a High School version of CEO? Then again I'm actually going to be at the College Board's Forum 09 in NYC that wednesday-friday and am flying home friday so I don't think I would be able to turn around and fly back out.

Thanks for the responses and please keep the comments coming!
-Andrew

[Emily Pritchard]

Hi Andrew,

You may want to check out the program at the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. I am currently pursuing an Entrepreneurship degree in the Opus College of Business at St. Thomas and have found it to be absolutely amazing! The Twin Cities is a great area for business, with headquarters such as Best Buy, 3M, General Mills, etc... right down the road. Lots of innovation--it's an exciting place to be! Also, the weather is great in the summer to head to the many lakes in the area and partake in many outdoor activities in the summer and winter.

Just a suggestion from one student to another. Let me know if you're interested and want more information!

[Andrew Hill]

Thanks Emily, I'll have to take a look!

-Andrew Hill