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I’m curious as to how you think Michigan is better than Northwestern as I’ve never heard anyone suggest that before. Sure, Michigan has a slight edge in the reputation of its graduate programs and faculty but Northwestern edges it in nearly every other category that an undergraduate could possibly be concerned about (student body strength, classroom intimacy, financial resources, faculty pay, graduation rates, fellowship production, professional placement, etc. etc.).</p>
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Do PhD programs favor students enrolled in schools which are more renowned in the particular subject area over students enrolled in other universities that have weaker graduate offerings in that field even if the latter places have a stronger overall reputation?</p>
<p>For example, Harvard and Yale are unquestionably weaker schools in the field of Philosophy than Rutgers, which is one of the heavyweights in this field. If a Harvard and a Rutgers grad apply to Princeton’s doctorate program in Philosophy, would the Rutgers candidate be favored all things held equal?</p>
<p>I’m actually curious about your take on this since you seem well versed in admissions practices of academia.</p>
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Isn’t that how people judge objects, whether it be universities or restaurants or movies? If I meet a Michigan graduate who went to Harvard Law and clerks for a Supreme Court justice and then I meet another Michigan alum who went to Cooley Law School and is currently waiting table at a restaurant, then my logical conclusion would be that the academic aptitute of Michigan graduates span the entire spectrum of ability.</p>
<p>Wash U, on the other hand, has a more concentrated population of intelligent students so I’m more likely to be impressed if I meet a Wash U grad than a Michigan grad unless I have more information about their accomplishments and backgrounds.</p>
<p>You’re absolutely right though that the top 5% of Michigan graduates are probably every bit as good, if not better, than the top 5% of Wash U graduates.</p>
<p>Now if only Berkeley and Michigan could start producing more Rhodes Scholars, so we could both actually be proven to be right.;)</p>