I’m in need of some advice. I just got off the waitlist at Penn and am considering whether or not to take the offer.
I decided to go to Georgetown after a wonderful campus visit despite the fact that the math program wasn’t ranked. I loved the people, the school in general, the location, etc. I already have a great roommate, and I was just accepted to a really neat, week-long pre-orientation program. If I can make Georgetown work, that would be great.
My ultimate goal is not to pursue an academic career since I’m not really interested in research or teaching; I want to do something business-related most likely. However, I do not want to study business as an undergrad (so not factoring in Wharton in this decision). I figure I’ll get my MBA later, and I just really like learning math! I want to develop core analytical skills. So here’s my question… I know that graduate department rankings are important if you want to pursue an academic career, but what about if your ultimate goal is business? With Penn’s math department ranked at 17 and Georgetown’s not even ranked, will I get a much weaker math education at Georgetown than Penn, and will that affect me negatively in the job search? Or will the difference be small or negligible, and will my GPA and accomplishments matter more in the job search?
Based on career reports and the simple fact that Georgetown students have pretty much the same SAT Math scores as Penn students, I’m wondering if this is really an issue. If the difference is really significant, I will take up Penn’s offer, but like I said, I’ve invested so much in Georgetown and prefer it to Penn outside of this.
So that’s it. If anyone has any comments on how I should value these rankings given my goals and preferences, either specific to these schools or just in general about the process, that would be greatly appreciated.
" I’ve invested so much in Georgetown and prefer it to Penn outside of this."
Go to Georgetown. It’s a great school. You like it. You’re set
Graduate school rankings just don’t matter. For all you know Georgetown has better math instruction while Penn has a couple of top algebraic topologists driving their ranking.
Georgetown did not have a PhD program in math as of 2012, that is why it is not rated. I have no direct knowledge of Georgetowns undergrad math program, but for a career in business, applied math offerings are more important than theoretical offerings and Georgetown appears to be focused in that direction.
If you apply to graduate school, that’s when graduate department rankings would seem to be important. There are many good reasons these rankings should not be casually applied when considering one’s choice of an undergraduate college – as @Mastadon stated, Georgetown had no equivalent program to even rank.
However, Penn does have an excellent undergraduate math program. I recommend you compare their course offerings and descriptions with Georgetown’s, using your current level of understanding of the field as a basis. If, hypothetically, Penn’s seem particularly enticing and Georgetown’s leave you a little flat, then, in my opinion, you should weigh that fairly heavily in your decision. Keep in mind, though, that you will only take nine or so math courses. Any differences between the schools would only be significant if they impacted the types of courses you would actually be likely to take.
That said, being “invested” in Georgetown is a poor reason to choose it, in my opinion, since that attachment can be so easily reversed. Personally, though, I regard these schools as having equivalent academic reputations – if that means anything to you – and I think you should feel free to choose between them based upon what is important, either tangibly or intangibly, to you.
Thank you all so much for your input. I’ve been doing more research today. Penn definitely has more math courses, but like you said merc81, I’d only take about 9 math courses at either school.
The structure of the math curriculum at both schools is similar with required courses and some electives. I’ll essentially be learning the same topics it seems. The only edge Penn apparently has to offer then is more choices for electives, which in the big picture seems negible among other factors.
Also, I feel a bit silly for not considering the effect on rankings of Georgetown only recently getting a PhD program. That makes things clearer.
And that is true SlackerMomMD… The professors at Georgetown may for all I know be better instructors. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were more accessible.
My choice is made then! Georgetown it is! Thank you all for talking sense into me!!!
Consider taking some Economics courses or a business class or two (if you can cross enroll at the undergrad business school) to get some early exposure to business concepts