Awesome schools for economics??

interesteddad
Thu, 05 May 2005 13:37:06 +0000

I think the info is very handy for comparing similar schools–Cal, Mich, Wisconsin as group vs. other large schools and LAC’s as another group with Swat an obviously outstanding program.



Absolutely. I think the entire college section process has to be based around groupings of schools.

To me, the absolute most fundamental step in choosing a college is to visit and investigate the strengths and weaknesses of three different size schools: large state universities, mid-size private universities, and small undergrad colleges.

Clearly the strength of the small undergrad colleges is the sheer concentration of academically-inclined students. The student bodies at many of these schools look like the honors colleges at larger schools (very distilled academic quality) and that shows up in things like PhD production.

Conversely, the strength of the large schools is the sheer breadth and depth of offerings.

Each type of school has its dinstinct disadvantages. As parents, I think our role is to present the strengths and weaknesses of all three types of schools, make sure our kids visit all three types, and support them in any preference they express. Sometimes, that requires playing “devil’s advocate”. For example, I was the proponent of large state universities in our household, despite the fact that I don’t think they necessarily provide the best overall undergrad education. Didn’t stop me from pointing out the very real pluses these top state universities offer, just to make sure they got a fair shake. There are clearly things a kid can get at UVa that he can’t get at a small liberal arts college – and conversely.