"Math is math. Algebra is algebra whether it is taught at a community college or Cal Tech, or in your case, Georgetown or Penn. There would be no noticeable difference with regards to te quality of yor education. "
Okay…
Though usually true I think I need to modify this a bit…
Math is math. That is true. In fact, any college degree can be studied in the library, which actually questions why we still have the college system.
…
Anyways, though math is math anywhere… I would like to add that prestigious universities have higher standards of the same math contents.
Let’s say for example CalTech. In CalTech, your Calculus series are REQUIRED to use Apostol’s Calculus book.
In community colleges, most likely…the rigor isn’t going to be anywhere comparable. In fact, I will go far as to claim the CalTech Calc 1 would be more rigorous than any courses in your local community college and that you will be challenged a lot more in that 1 semester of Calc 1 than in your whole two years of your local community college.
And the grading in more prestigious universities are generally harder (especially true for STEM).
Your local community college will most likely have students who scored around 380 in the math section of the SAT doing Calc 1. And out of that, the class will be curved.
CalTech will most likely be filled with students who scored 800 in the math section, finished Calc BC, won some national and global awards in mathematics (Olympiads, AIME, AMC), scored 800 in at least three different subject tests and on and on and on and on…
And out of that, your classes will be curved.
It’s a different experience. Now, is it worth the premium. I don’t know.
In fact, is college a good investment overall? I can’t agree with that either.
But hey… considering every job needs a bachelor’s degree nowadays, college just seems… compulsory unless you come up with the next million dollar idea
Go to the best college you can afford. Just don’t be silly with debts…
And oh ya, fit is more important than anything else once you start comparing elite universities like Georgetown and UPenn.
However, I will like to note (as a once fellow aspiring math major), if you are seriously considering top grad schools for math (especially pure math),
I really recommend going UPenn. Georgetown doesn’t even offer Modern Algebra II, pretty much a requirement nowadays to get into a reputable pure math program.
UPenn simply for your major has more opportunities.
But then again, since you aren’t fixated on academia, na, the difference is more or less trivial.
However, if I’m correct, isn’t the biggest feeders to Wharton and HBS, Harvard and UPenn?
With similar grades, UPenn could have a bit of a leg up in terms of your MBA career. (though I question, do you really need a grad degree to do business? I mean, is undergrad even necessary but ehh, don’t question the system)
However, since Georgetown is no joke either, ehh, go with whatever is more of a “fit” to you.
When you start comparing at this level, the differences are so trivial that it’s worth overlooking. However, if all you cared is maximizing even the tiniest drop (which I find a bit extreme), in average, a UPenn degree could help you a hair more due to many of the alma maters working in Wallstreet are from Wharton. <alumni is="" something="" you="" can’t="" overlook="" though="" georgetown="" has="" many="" too="">