How important is strength in an academic department?

Parents Forum
1

<p>I plan on getting a career in business and Northwestern’s economic department and business school is fantastic. However, my other choice is Rice, which has an inferior business school and an economics department that I’ve heard lots of students complain about. </p>

<p>However, if I discount academics, I like Rice’s campus, environment, climate and housing (residential college system) much more than Northwestern’s and it seems to me that Rice’s student body is also more cohesive and inclusive than Northwestern’s.</p>

<p>So how important is the school’s strength in business when making my decision?</p>

2

<p>Very, very many students change their major after starting college. Rice has a great econ department. You can’t go wrong with either choice.</p>

3

<p>Before planning on a business degree, I suggest taking a look at how business degrees are viewed by potential employers (if you’re thinking of stopping at a bachelor’s degree) or grad schools (if you plan on a graduate degree). Grad schools in particular, I’ve heard, look down on undergraduate business degrees and prefer a more traditional field of study.</p>

<p>If you’re certain you want to study business, then you should go to a school with a good business program, but if you think you might find another major, then you should go with your heart and pick Rice.</p>

4

<p>No, I’m definitely not getting an undergraduate business degree. I’m going to be majoring in nice, liberal-artsy economics and pursuing a minor in business (which I believe is available in both schools).</p>

<p>Any other opinions?</p>

5

<p>

I haven’t heard lots of complaints, except maybe a mention of a couple of intro class duds. Dd’s friend graduated with econ degree from Rice, got a great education and made a great salary right out of school.

Please define “inferior”. Do you think employers evaluate their potential employees with the “rankings” in hand? “ah, Leon… he’s from a program ranked 13th in the country, so obviously he’s a better candidate for the job than Maria, who’s from the 23rd ranked program.” The world doesn’t work like that!!! If you like Rice, go to Rice. You’ll get a great education and have a wild and growing time, and you may just find an academic interest different from what you anticipate now. You’ll do a lot of growing and changing between your 17 or 18 year old self and your mature 22 year old graduated self!
edit: both my kids attend/attended Rice and got a fabulous education while meeting great people. Rice has the resources and opportunities to do all sorts of great stuff that would help you if you do end up deciding to go into business. Check out:<a href=“http://leadership.rice.edu/[/url]”>http://leadership.rice.edu/&lt;/a&gt;, <a href=“http://beyondtraditionalborders.rice.edu/[/url]”>http://beyondtraditionalborders.rice.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>Both schools have fine econ departments. You won’t go wrong at either school. If you like Rice, go to Rice.</p>

7

<p>For “Business”, not that important. Many Liberal Arts Schools don’t even offer a business degree. A solid liberal arts education (3 R’s) will prepare you well.</p>