Hi everyone, I was hoping you could give me some advice on which of my schools to commit to!
I’m fairly decided on studying math with at least a minor in economics and possibly a few CS classes with the end goal of graduating in three years and studying for a Ph.D in economics.
These are the three acceptances I’m considering most seriously:
Bard ($38k net price + $1800 work study)
UCR ($24k)
Willamette ($33k + $2500 work study)
My parents are willing to shoulder all of the net price aside from my loans, but we think Bard will put some strain on their finances.
It is also important to note that next year my sibling will graduate from college and my EFC will jump; the vast majority of Willamette’s aid is guaranteed merit aid scholarship while all of Bard and UCR’s aid consists of need-based grants that will decrease significantly next year.
I’ve read that Willamette is relatively lenient with adding to their financial aid packages, and if I decide to go there, my parents will definitely ask the financial aid office for an increase.
I’ve had the chance to visit both UCR and Willamette; UCR was pretty whatever but I definitely enjoyed my overnight at Willamette.
I’d rather attend a LAC, especially because I don’t believe there is much of a prestige gap between UCR and Bard/Willamette.
What is UCR? UC Riverside? If so, are you in state? And, do you have lots of AP credits which would give you advanced standing there? Because AP credits won’t do much for you at Bard except replace a few electives.
Have you compared the math departments at these three schools? Would you be happy with the course offerings at all three? And the economics departments - I would think the course offerings at Bard would have a different feel than those at Willamette with the Levy Institute on campus.
“I’d rather attend a LAC, especially because I don’t believe there is much of a prestige gap between UCR and Bard/Willamette.”
In which direction? Compared to all colleges nationally, this is how your choices compare by student standardized test scores:
Bard: 115
Willamette: 207
UC-Riverside: 338
To be clear, I’m not saying you should be predominantly influenced by numerical factors. However, I would say you should be roughly aware of them. In your case, you may have gotten into a more selective school than you have realized with respect to Bard in particular.
You liked your overnight at Willamette. Give significant weight to that.
UC-R, like most of the UCs, appears to be relatively strong in economics.
(“610 Smartest Colleges,” Business Insider; “US Economics Departments,” IDEAS.)
You liked Willamette best, it’s the best value once you consider the next 3 years where need-based costs will jump ( and you may be able to shave off a couple thousands), and it’s a strong college for social sciences: no-brainer in my opinion. Congratulations!
To prepare for PhD study in economics, it is also recommended to take advanced math and statistics like multivariable calculus, real analysis, proof-based linear algebra, and calculus based probability theory. It is also desirable for the intermediate economics courses to incorporate higher levels of math.
UCR has (by far) the largest economics, math, and statistics offerings out of these three colleges, although it does not have as strong a math orientation in economics as some other UCs. Of the two LACs, it appears that both have a less-math orientation in their economics departments (Bard does not list calculus as a prerequisite for econometrics (229), while Willamette does not list calculus as a prerequisite for intermediate microeconomics (363)), unlike some other LACs.