<p>I guess you must have made a terrible mistake by going to Cornell instead of Chicago. NU's econ is still a top-10 program in the nation and > Cornell's. If "Chicago blows away" NU, how would you characterize Chicago econ vs Cornell econ?</p>
<p>I'm not an econ major, I've just taken a bunch of electives in econ and econ history. </p>
<p>"how would you characterize Chicago econ vs Cornell econ?"
if I did study econ, I'd go to Chicago.</p>
<p>That's not really characterization. Let me help you: "Chicago >>>>>>>>>> Cornell" based on your "blows away" comment.</p>
<p>I'd agree.</p>
<p>edit - I'm agreeing on an academic sense, I still thing personal fit is most important. I also dont know much about job placement and so forth, I just think (well, it's not just me) chicago is rivaled only by a select few in the econ department. They have the nobel prizes and the volumes of published books to prove it (again, I'm not talking about teaching quality here).</p>
<p>I'll say it again: you guys are completely missing the boat on this one. Look at the OP's schools, and then compare experiences. OP is not interested in NU and not interested in Cornell. If you can make a case for why he or she should be interested in that school, rather than supply your own opinions about the student body at Chicago, that would be helpful.</p>
<p>I think the real question here is what is the difference in an undergraduate experience in economics if you get your degree at a school like Oberlin or Reed as compared to a school like UMich or UIUC? I see convincing arguments for both schools: Oberlin and Reed are going to have more self-directed, intellectual students, but with a smaller student body, a smaller faculty, and with a smaller faculty, fewer resources. UIUC and Michigan will not have as consistent a student body (though I know you'll find brilliant people at both schools), but it will have lots of resources that you can take advantage of given some initiative.</p>
<p>If the OP is looking for both resources and a consistently stronger student body, then he or she should consider Cornell and NU. But if intellectualism is a key component to the way he or she sees his ideal undegraduate experience, I would steer the ship back to Chicago, Oberlin, and Reed.</p>
<p>This will be my final response regarding the "blows away" comment. I think you and I have completely different definitions for "blows away," for you it is apparently 2-3 spots in rankings while I use that term only to describe things that are almost beyond comparison. Let's leave it at that. Also, I wouldn't base my opinion on what schools are strong at the undergraduate level in economics based on who visits Cornell.. I am not bashing Cornell as it is a top tier university all around, but it isn't particularly known for its econ program - I hope you can agree with me here. For top undergraduate lists, I wouldnt count MIT, NU, and several top LACs out. If you disagree with any of this, just PM me. I don't want to hijack this thread with a discussion on symantics.</p>
<p>to the OP - answer is simple. for econ, out of those choices, U Chicago.</p>
<p>by 'blown away' I meant there's really a bigger difference than 2 or 3 ranking spots might suggest, at least in my exposure to the 'economic world' at Cornell university. </p>
<p>on to the original topic, I still say chicago for econ. Great city, great school, great reputation ... great econ to boot.</p>
<p>If Chicago is more about free markets and Northwestern is more like the real world, doesn't that mean that Northwestern better prepares its students for the real world?</p>
<p>not necessarily</p>
<p>lol, everyone has this notion that learning economics at Chicago is "about free markets." You learn all about free markets at any economics program; the Chicago School is different from the University of Chicago, the school. The Chicago School refers to a group of researchers from UChicago--and others who carried on their work elsewhere--who published works that have changed economic theory, greatly influencing what is taught at every university.
It's not as if this "free market" theory was developed independent of the real world and forever stuck in abstractions.</p>
<p>But if you want a more concrete answer, no. Take a look at Chicago's curriculum. There's tons of fantastic classes that apply economic theory to the real world, in realms beyond the world of the Fed and interest rates. Ever heard of Steven Levitt? He teaches a class on the economics of crime. Another class is taught on the economics of information.</p>
<p>gomestar, if we are talking about the influence that each school has had on economic thought, the difference between Northwestern and Chicago (or Cornell v Chicago) is huge. I'm more interested in the quality of instruction than the number of Nobel Prizes at the moment. When I study economics in grad school, perhaps the ideoloical bent of the faculty and their prestige will be more important. As of right now, I'm interested in great lectures and helpful faculty. Where can I get the best undergraduate experience? From what I've heard, the faculty at NW are better instructors. That's really what counts. I was hoping that someone on this forum had studied at either, or knew people who did, so I could test what I've heard. Prior to these conversations, my number one school was Chicago. Hearing things about poor instruction, has thrown that into question. As of the moment, I find myself leading towards Reed/NW.</p>
<p>For me personally, its more important for me to find the school with the better post grad opps (although fun is important too). I think that NU with the possibilities of the MMSS, BIP, and Kellogg certificate programs, provide programs that may better prepare students for business. I can understand how Chicago would be better for graduate school in econ. It seems like the type of students who go there are looking for that. Correct me if I'm wrong.</p>
<p>^Given the topic of the thread -- who cares about business majors and certificate programs? If that's what you're into, then go study business. </p>
<p>In here we're talking about economics.</p>
<p>The students I've known in the econ program at Chicago love it, and the profs too. I'm sure NU has great profs as well as far as teaching. But NU and Chicago are two completely different schools-- make sure that you're choosing based on fit... if you go to Chicago, you can access course evaluations for professors (non rate my prof evals, but rather ones run through the school), and you can get help choosing profs from there.</p>
<p>I've heard wonderful things about Allen Sanderson, who teaches the intro courses.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. I intend on making several visits (as I'm so close) to their campus this fall. Where can I access the professor evaluations? That would really be helpful. Reed has this service where you can send any question to a certain email address, and receive an unmonitored response from a real student. Does anyone know whether that option is available at most schools, or just unique to Reed?</p>
<p>And yes, this thread is about Economics, and not Graduate Business Programs. I'm not interested in a professional degree (MBA), but rather a doctorate in economics. Please keep the responses pertinent. Otherwise, I'm finding this thread to be very helpful. Let's keep the discussion going.</p>
<p>If you are interested in a doctorate in economics, note that ranking is something to consider insofar as grad school adcoms will place more weight on letters of recommendation from faculty whose names they recognize. The difference between NU and U of C on that level is still probably marginal since getting LOR's from the superstar faculty members at any school is contingent upon you being a supergenius. Overall, however, I still think for grad school purposes, doing well at Chicago is a stronger signal than doing well at NU, both because of well known rigor and because of pedigree.</p>
<p>That is something to consider, of course. I'm really looking for a faculty member to sponsor my thesis. Assuming I can find someone at Chicago, I don't think the letter of rec will be a problem. It may not be from the 'superstar' researchers on campus, but I'm just looking to develop a relationship with someone in the department.</p>
<p>you can likely do that at any university - heck I've done it at Cornell (granted, not in econ), but it's completely possible. Just be active, approach profs. and show alot of interest in what they're doing.</p>
<p>Are you working on an undergraduate thesis? If so, in what field?</p>