Advice Needed: University & Courses

Hi everyone,
I am extremely interested in working in the finance industry, and would like to know whether you guys have any recommendations for premier institutions where I can get a bachelor degree or its equivalent, anywhere in the world. What I hope for is an interactive and flexible learning environment, with engaging and approachable teachers, which will help lay a sound foundation of theoretical knowledge, analytical skills, and communication capabilities. Recommendations for courses and universities would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Ian

And would you like the moon and stars for a side course?

Kidding.

Only a little.

Since you're looking at a Bachelor's degree, I'm assuming you're entering as a fresh-faced, bright-eyed and bushy tailed freshman? In that case, I suggest starting small. If you're looking for an "interactive and flexible learning environment", your best bet for that is a very small four-year college, or a rather small two year community college, to start. Big universities don't give two-straws for freshmen, so they cram them 75 to a classroom, and you're lucky if your instructor speaks English tolerably enough so you can understand your lesson. "Engaging and approachable teachers" can also be found at smaller two-year colleges and universities. Not to diss research universities (since they are the apex of academia), but the teacher at a research university is vastly more interested in his or her own research -- teaching is the price and penance for having someone give them a paycheck while they fiddle around in their field, not the end-all-be-all of their own existence. You won't find a lot of teachers interested in the profession of teaching, at a major research university, especially not at the freshman/sophomore level. They become more interested in you when you're actually ready to do work in your own field.

But as a professor at a university, I can tell you that a lot of the things you want from a university depend a GREAT DEAL on how much YOU put into it. I'm a very approachable teacher, but I find that most freshmen think I should be able to read their minds, and guess when they need help. They rarely ever come to me, or seek out the other excellent resources of my university, like the writing and tutoring labs at several locations across campus. They'll email me, but when I recommend a brainstorming session, they won't write back (I suppose I should have spoon-fed them the answer? -- not gonna happen!). I have scheduled office hours, which I keep, and which hardly any student uses.

Basically, despite what freshmen think, no one cares where you took your two-year degree, so there's no need to go for Big Flashy University from the first semester. Take your first two years at a nice, local two year college -- which also has the added benefit of being significantly cheaper than a four-year or research university. Then take greater care in choosing your four-year program, then the utmost care in choosing your graduate program.

As you move along in your major, you will begin to understand which school are better for you, as your goals and intentions change through the years. You will eavesdrop on conversations with professors, and begin to recognize the patterns of awe and respect for this or that school.

For now, take your two-year degree at a nice local community college. Be a superior student, with superior grades and recommendations, so you are a superior applicant for your four-year university.

ahmm im not good in giving an advice when it comes to this, but i suggest you to go to USC, my cousin studied there and she took an accounting course..after 4-5 years she is working in HBO as one of their accountant and she's making a lot of money right now..