Economics appears to be the second most popular choice (after CS) in my circle of friends & acquaintances. I now know of at least 6 students who have received admissions and/or are hoping/expecting to be accepted by the following:
UMich
UWisconsin
Ohio State
U of Maryland
Tulane
UC San Diego
Georgia Tech
NYU
UWash
I realize that all these schools are excellent. But, assuming money isn’t a problem, if you had to choose between them (for economics), which one would it be? Alternatively, if it’s easier to say which ones you’d eliminate from the list, I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.
The question of fit is hard to evaluate because often all the marketing that’s done obfuscates the information one needs to truly assess this. But I do agree that the most important criterion is a good balance between academic rigor/challenge & a nurturing environment. So I guess I should alter my question and ask if you were seeking a balance between these two, which ones would you pick and which ones would you eliminate?
If money isn’t an issue, Wisconsin followed by Michigan. They are the two best places to be a college student. If you really want, they both have strong graduate programs so you don’t have to worry about topping out.
You’ve listed large college town, excellent academic schools, a UC licated near the beach school, a downtown male skewing engineering school bordering the interstate, a smaller private, ritzy school a trolley from partyville, and two colleges with no campus, one not even a dining hall.
If you just want to know is who is highest ranked, and I’m using niche because it has the widest spectrum…
You have
Michigan 9,
NYU 28.
Tulane 40,
Wisconsin 43,
UCSD 66,
GW 70,
Ga Tech
OSU 90
UW. 104
Maryland 126
College is about so much more though. There’s a zillion colleges where one can get a fantastic Econ education.
Me I’d choose UCSD. Nicest city in the country and I like warm.
How math intensive (i.e. no calculus, single variable calculus, or multivariable calculus and/or linear algebra used in intermediate economics courses). More math (and statistics) is generally better if intending to go on to PhD study in economics.
What upper level economics electives are offered.
Whether the economics major is limited access. If so, does the student have direct admission? If no direct admission, how difficult or competitive is declaring the major after enrolling undeclared?
General academics, as in general education requirements and out-of-major elective offerings.
Non-academic factors like social scene (including fraternities and sororities or lack thereof), location, activities available, weather, etc…
Niche bases its department rankings partly on sheer size. By its methods, larger equals better. As an opinion, I recommend the OP disregard Niche rankings unless she or he shares this predilection.
My point was it’s a silly or crazy question. So I grasped for anything and that’s the resource avail. Not sure that description of how they rate is accurate. But yes there’s so many factors into why you’d choose a school.
It won’t let me put the link. I put a space b4 and after niche you’ll have to fill in to see their methodology.
Wisconsin does have a very good curriculum. It appears to have a stronger program than one would give it credit for at first glance. I agree that it deserves serious consideration.
Thank you for your views on the question. If you found it a silly or crazy question, you could have kept quiet. You’re not obligated to participate in discussions that are beneath you.
Are completely urban campuses (with or without dining halls) OK?
In terms of nurturing, I would not think of any of these as particularly nurturing given the sheer size of so many and the many public universities on the list. When I think nurturing with good academic rigor, I think Top 50 LACs or ultra elite schools with laid back cultures (eg Brown or Yale), not the schools on your list. Tulane might be the closest thing in your list to an LAC as the preprofessional schools are separate and the college of arts and sciences is not that big, but I would only consider it for a very highly restrictive/self-regulated kid as the temptation and risk of constant debauchery seems to lurk a trolley ride away from campus. Have you looked closely into the Vern campus of GW and its Honors program? It has seemed very intriguing to this DC fanatic. There is something so thrilling to me about being in the middle of DC, especially if he is interested in economic development and policy. The internship opportunities are unbelievable.
I don’t think you’re going to go wrong with any of these choices. What are the plans for what to do with the economics degree? If someone wanted to get involved in national policy then GW seems like it would have the edge with all the opportunities in D.C. Interested in international economics, perhaps NYU or D.C. with potential involvement with the U.N., World Bank, or other opportunities. Economics and relating it to public health or disaster recovery? Then look at Tulane. Or maybe you want a big school with major sports and a traditional college experience? Mighigan, Wisconsin, or OSU all fit the bill. And the list goes on.
Does the student want to go to grad school or into the workforce after graduation? Where would they like to live afterwards? Colleges usually have the most recruiting from companies that are regional to them.
I’m not insulting you - i’m just saying - the question was open ended and you can go a million ways - and i did. I said i’d choose UCSD for the weather.
Sorry if my intent was missing. Tone is hard to read on a chat board.
I was mainly agreeing with @gablesdad - that the academics are all solid so what are the things you are looking for.
Good points. Large campuses do have some advantages, particularly in the form of a wide-ranging curriculum at the cost of personalized attention. At least a couple of them would prioritize a smorgasbord of interesting courses over small class size. In terms of nurturing, there are lots of intangibles that go into that. The atmosphere in some campuses is outright frigid, and others very warm and welcoming. But due to the pandemic, not all these students have been able to visit all these campuses to get a first-hand look.
The choice between urban and rural is a difficult one. No easy answers as each has its pros and cons.
GW, interestingly, isn’t on the list of any of the students I know. Georgetown, on the other hand, is a stretch college for a couple of them.
Another recommendation for GW. I guess if it’s not too late it should go on the list.
I’m not one of the students I’m asking this question for, but my personal choices based purely on general information I’ve gleaned here and there are: UMich (yes, huge, impersonal, but rigor and brand are not questionable), NYU (great program & NYC offers a lot for teen to learn and grow from), Georgetown (for future policy work, but hard to get in & probably not realistic).
If the student wants to go to graduate school, my understanding is that any of these universities would do a good job of preparing them for it. Or are there shades of gradations among them that one should consider?
I apologize, I thought GW was on your original list. I think that GW or Georgetown would be fine (commute would be shorter from GW for most internships, but Georgetown has more of a traditional campus feel).
So long as a student does well, any of these colleges would be well-regarded by grad schools and none would impede future progress.
I think any university could prepare someone for grad school. Your GPA and GRE or GMAT if going business will matter - as will work experience. And it depends on the kid themselves - are they going to class or volunteering for research, etc.
Any leading university will have a solid economics department and if the student is willing to step up, they’ll find a place in grad school.
If you look at Harvard or Yale Law, for example, you’ll find the Ivies - but you’ll also find the Boise States.
Even if you look at PHD, that degree may be Cornell but the undergrad Indiana or WVU, etc.
btw - for someone who doesn’t like the urban-ness of DC, I think the American is the natural substitute to GW. It has a campus and is similar in profile whereas Gtown is obviously a reach. AU, similar to GW, also offers merit aid whereas Gtown does not. On the flipside, Gtown meets need based aid whereas GW and AU do not.
As an example, my D hated GW. We left the tour. Yet loved AU - so had she gone to GW, she’d be miserable, etc.
Anyway - i’ll leave it alone now. I enjoyed the question - why I did the ranking research - but I personally am less about pedigree and more about fit - because if you’re unahppy for four years, then that’s a bigger issue. But I could have gone 10,000 ways!!!